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. It was ___ degrees when Sidney returned from checking his traps in sub-freezing temperatures at the Batza River.

2. Sidney and his siblings consumed canned ___ from the trading post after their mom died.

3. Since a ____ was blocking the trail to get help Sidney and his young siblings decided to take a boat on the river after Anna's death.

4. Two Indians helped James escape after he was arrested, Monkey John and ____.

5. How old was Sidney when his mom died?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Sidney fight so much when he first arrived at the Eklutna Vocational School?

2. Why did Dad send the kids 500 miles away after Anna died?

3. What did Sidney learn about his father when they spent time in Alatna?

4. What happened when the Koyukuk River ice started to break up mid-May in 1928?

5. According to Chapter 8, "The Batza River Trapline," how did Sidney and Jimmy help the family prepare for winter?

6. Why did the relationship between Victor and Ned come to murder?

7. Why did Sidney decide to catch a grizzly in Chapter 12, "Snaring a Grizzly?"

8. What happened when Sidney and his siblings tried to get help after Anna died?

9. What story did Sidney recount about a soldier to convey the hazards of groundwater in sub-freezing temperatures?

10. How did Sidney's family protect their belongings from a flood described in Chapter 11, "The Flood?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sidney reflects in the last chapter of the book about his life. What does Sidney reflect on in this last chapter and what do these reflections reveal about him, his family, and his willingness to help others become more than their circumstances in the Koyukuk?

Essay Topic 2

Throughout the book Sidney describes various ways to travel in rural Alaska as well as his first time experiences with things like cars and trains. First describe the various ways to travel in rural Alaska. Cite at least one example of how Sidney describes this mode of travel being used. Then describe what is considered the best mode of travel in rural Alaska. Next describe Sidney's first contact with a train and seeing a car.

Essay Topic 3

Sidney and Jimmy get married more than once. Who are the wives? How do they meet each one? Do they have any kids? Do they stay together? If not, why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 770 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample