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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. After the ship lands in Coral Cove, what does Karana think about?

2. What is Karana gathering in the canoe and hanging out to dry?

3. How does Karana know Spring has come?

4. What does Karana tell Tutok that proves she trusts the Aleut girl?

5. Why does Karana change Mon-a-nee's name?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Karana see while she is out looking for supplies to fix her canoe, and what is her reaction?

2. Karana survives the tidal waves and returns to the headland. What happens when Rontu-Aru greets her?

3. Summarize the method Karana uses to tame the two young birds, nesting in a tree above her house.

4. How does Karana feel now that Tutok has gone away?

5. Karana makes several trips to her cave during the day to move all her belongings. On the final trip, she has a feeling someone has been there. What happens?

6. After two summers alone on the island, Karana sees the Aleut ship heading toward the island. How does she prepare for her move to the hidden cave she had set up in case the Aleuts returned?

7. How do Karana and Tutok spend their time together?

8. Explain why Karana considers her yard a happy place?

9. Compare Rontu with his son, Rontu-Aru.

10. What does Karana do with the young, wounded otter she finds after the Aleutian ship departs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Analyze the structure of the novel. What is the central conflict?

2) Summarize the plot's climax and resolution.

3) Are the characterizations in the story realistic?

Essay Topic 2

1) Imagine you are an historian reading the Island of the Blue Dolphins.

2) Would you see the story as historically accurate?

3) Use details from the story to support your answer.

4) What plot or setting descriptions would you change to make it more historically accurate?

Essay Topic 3

1) Examine what it means to be a member of Chief Chowig's tribe.

2) What characteristics distinguish tribal life on Ghalas-at?

3) What problems do the villagers face? How do they show pride and courage?

4) Back up the answers with examples from the story.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample