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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. What does Narai do when he sees the arrival of the Richardsons?

2. Who is building Richardson's house?

3. What principle does Don Richardson believe God gives him to offer the tribal people?

4. How does Yae get from the tree house to the ground?

5. Who is waiting at the new homesite when the Richardsons arrive?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the moment in which Yae realizes that he has been tricked?

2. What tools appears in Chapter 12, Patriarch of the Tumdu, which are new to Sawi culture?

3. Why is Narai waiting in the elephant grass, in his small dugout? What is his purpose and job to do on this auspicious day?

4. What do the young 7-month-old Stephen and the grown Sawi man Narai have in common?

5. What kinds of weapons does Yae take on the trip?

6. What about the jungle frightens Don Richardson?

7. What response does Richardson offer to those who would advocate that these remote tribes need to be left alone and not contacted?

8. Who are the people that the author is going to work with?

9. What are the Sawi concerned about when Richardson takes a bath in the Kronkel river?

10. What is Carol Richardson's reaction to the sight of 200 armed warriors and the women and children standing massed, awaiting their arrival?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The world of the Sawi people is very complex and based upon survival needs and a strong structure of family and tribal identity. Write an essay describing some aspect of the complexity that underlies what might seem like a simple hunter/gatherer society. For instance, Richardson finds that the language itself is very sophisticated and nuanced. The system of protection that family ties offer, for instance mother-in-law bonds, is both unique and imaginative. There is symbolism in the clothing, jewelry, and other items that the tribespeople own. Chose some aspect of the Sawi culture and show how there is an underlying sophistication to what might seem "primitive."

Essay Topic 2

The interaction between the stone age and modern culture is a rare event. The drama of this story is the stunning clash of two worlds. What events in the book most dramatically reveal the strangeness between Tuan/Sawi? The plane? The boat? Selling of a child for an ax? The killing of Yao? The rituals? The cannibalism? Chose three of the most significant and dramatic events and describe them. What is it about these three events which clarify the deep differences between these two cultures?

Essay Topic 3

Cross-cultural communication has always been part of human life. In recent times, however, with our ability to travel so easily and quickly, the mixing of cultures has become commonplace. Richardson was working with the Sawi people at a time when travel was becoming very accessible. What are the ethical issues of influencing another culture? Does Richardson have the right to intrude upon the Sawi people? Is it his responsibility to share valuable wisdom with people who have not been exposed to ideas which can bring peace and understanding in new ways?

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