View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do Ishi and Timawi choose not to chop the branch off the tree?
(a) They are not allowed to chop wood until they are older.
(b) They forgot to bring along their ax.
(c) The noise of chopping would attract the attention of the saldu.
(d) Yahi tradition dictates that the branch must be taken with only knives and rasps.

2. According to the story that Grandfather tells, where did the old woman hide the fire that she had stolen from the Fire People?
(a) In her stomach.
(b) Under her shawl.
(c) In her ear.
(d) In her mouth.

3. How long is Ishi away looking for a new location for the village?
(a) Three days and three nights.
(b) Four days and four nights.
(c) A full week.
(d) Five days and five nights.

4. What does Tushi suggest the gray pine actually is?
(a) The Sky Pole.
(b) The beginning of the Trail to the Land of the Dead.
(c) The Guardian of Wowunupo.
(d) Grandfather's spirit tree.

5. Ishi learns to stay awake for how many nights?
(a) Three nights.
(b) Six nights.
(c) Seven nights.
(d) Five nights.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Ishi not tell Elder Uncle or Mother about his visits to Black Rock?

2. Why do the Yahi no longer spend the summer on the mountain?

3. What does Tushi ask Grandmother to do in order to make the time pass while Ishi and Timawi are gone?

4. How does Ishi cleanse himself after visiting the places of burial and danger on his journey?

5. How tall is Black Rock?

Short Essay Questions

1. What details about the Harvest Feast suggest that Ishi and his family are the last of their tribe?

2. According to Elder Uncle, why should the Yahi people not mourn for Timawi?

3. How is the Yahi creation story similar to the Judeo-Christian creation story (the creation story of the white man)?

4. What observations do the older members of the tribe make about Ishi?

5. What does Tushi's dream seem to foretell, and how does Ishi respond to her dream?

6. Why does Ishi get the privilege of shooting the first deer of the season?

7. What assurance does Ishi give to Timawi when Timawi observes that Tushi prefers Ishi's company?

8. Why does Elder Uncle say that they should no longer hunt on the mountain next to the village?

9. How do the stories that the Yahi tell about Timawi evolve following his death?

10. Why does Elder Uncle agree to move into the abandoned bear den in spite of his reservations?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,185 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample