View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Of whom does the little girl in the arroyo remind Ishi?

2. According to Majapa, what makes the Greek world similar to the Yahi world?

3. How does Ishi decide he will preserve the Yahi Way?

4. What does Ishi believe is responsible for holding him to life?

5. Where does Majapa want Ishi to take him?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Mother and Ishi support each other after they are separated from Elder Uncle and Tushi?

2. Why is Ishi hesitant about bringing Majapa and Maliwal into the Yahi world?

3. How does Ishi's understanding of the war affect him?

4. How are the men at the museum different from other saldu that Ishi has observed?

5. How do Ishi's friends show respect for him after his death?

6. What does Ishi value about his relationship with the girl that he meets in the arroyo?

7. How does Ishi discover a way of preserving the Yahi world?

8. How does Majapa's Dream compare to Ishi's Dream?

9. How do the Sheriff's actions surprise Ishi?

10. What evidence in Section 4 of "The Ending People" reveals Mother's emotional strength?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the roles of men and women in the Yahi culture. What expectations are held for women? What expectations are held for men? What might explain the differences in these gender roles? How are men and women each shown respect? Provide examples to support your points.

Essay Topic 2

In an October 23, 2009 New York Times article, anthropologist Orin Starn stated, "I think Ishi is important as a symbol, a reminder of what happened to indigenous people during the white takeover and conquest...He really was a victim of a holocaust." Agree or disagree with this statement. Be sure to include specific examples and quotations to support your position.

Essay Topic 3

Fire and water are both important symbols in the Yahi world and in the novel. Analyze the importance of these two elements and explain how these symbols support Ishi's story. Use specific examples to support your ideas.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,335 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample