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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. How much fish does Leif have left to eat in "Whale Song"?

2. In "Whale Song," what parts of the fish does Leif use when he makes soup?

3. Why does Leif not land on the shore and fish in "Hunger"?

4. In "The Saga of Sea Child," how did the child's father die?

5. What had little Carl been sold for?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Leif travel in "Whale Song," and why are some of the inlets and coves inaccessible to him?

2. In "Whale Song," what encounter does Leif have with a bear?

3. Who is Little Carl?

4. Where is Leif left when he is 12 and why?

5. How does Leif bury Little Carl's body?

6. In "Mother Waters and Brother Whales," what is the breathing that Leif senses?

7. In "Whale Song," what wakes Leif and what thoughts does he have about the sound?

8. How does hunger affect Leif when he wakes in "Whale Song"?

9. How does Leif get Little Carl's body out of the canoe?

10. What is Leif's condition at the beginning of "Mother Waters and Brother Whales"?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Leif watches as whales and birds kill and eat salmon. What does Leif observe as he watches whales and bird kill and eat salmon? Why does he drive the interaction as a battle? What does that battle reveal to him about hunger as a motivator and driving force?

Essay Topic 2

Metaphors and similes are figures of speech that are used to make comparisons between things. Metaphors seem to imply an equal comparison, while similes seem to imply a similarity between two things. Does Paulsen use more metaphors or similes in Northwind? How does the use of metaphors or similes help readers comprehend concepts? How does the use of metaphors or similes help make the writing more interesting?

Essay Topic 3

Leif’s story is about his survival on his own. How do the events in Northwind help Leif grow and mature in the book? What role does learning have in his growth?

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