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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is life in the village slowed and very quiet?

2. Why does Chief Chowig advise the people not to visit the Aleut's camp?

3. What is the captain's name from the Aleutian ship?

4. What is a law in Ghalas-at?

5. How did the name, Island of the Blue Dolphins, possibly originate?

Short Essay Questions

1. Karana moves her home to a high rock ledge, but the wild dogs continue to circle below. She decides to go against the tribe's taboo about women making weapons. What does she fear will happen if she makes the weapons?

2. Why didn't Karana want to return to the Island of the Blue Dolphins after her canoe starts to leak?

3. Explain the image Karana uses to describe Roma's eyes.

4. Does Chief Chowig accept the black chest of beads as full payment from Captain Orlov and the Aleuts? Explain.

5. Why isn't the autumn and winter peaceful in Ghalas-at, even though there is plenty of food for everyone?

6. When Karana goes to the spring to gather more water in her baskets, she seeks refuge from the wild dogs in a cave. She plans to turn the cave into another house. What does she do to the cave to make it habitable?

7. After the tribe recovers the school of white bass that are stranded on the rocky ledge, two of the Aleuts come to ask for some. What does Chief Chowig tell them?

8. Ramo decides to go to where the canoes are hidden and bring one back to Coral Cove, so he and Karana can fish and look around the island. What happens when he goes on this mission?

9. Explain why the ship won't turn back toward the island so that Ramo can come on board?

10. What does Karana do after she discovers Roma's lifeless body?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Examine the concept that survival on the island is a form of initiation for Karana.

2) How does her life on the island move her from innocence to maturity?

3) In what way does she develop a new sense of herself?

4) How does she develop a deeper understanding of the world around her?

5) At what moment does this new knowledge of her world become evident to her?

Essay Topic 2

1) Analyze the character of Karana.

2) How is she depicted by O'Dell?

3) How do her own words and actions reveal what type of character she is?

4) What do her relationships with her brother Ramo, and her animal friends reveal about her character?

Essay Topic 3

1) Give three examples from the novel when Karana proves her selflessness and loyalty to a family member.

2) Summarize the events leading up to each example.

3) Analyze the consequences of each of Karana's selfless acts.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample