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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. Which part of society do The People feed first?

2. What clears Sa's head when she wakes up each morning?

3. Why don't the women camp in the more protected area of the forest?

4. Why does the chief want to leave as quickly as possible?

5. What does Chi'idzigyaak think will happen to Sa' if Chi'idzigyaak gives up?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the group react to the chief's announcement that the two old women would be left behind?

2. Where do the two old women decide to go when they feel they cannot remain in the camp where they have been abandoned?

3. How do the two old women make sleds to pull their possessions?

4. Why is the winter in which this story takes place more dangerous for The People than other winters?

5. Why do the two old women feel "almost superstitious" about their good luck in hunting?

6. How do the two old women make snowshoes?

7. How is the two old women's shelter made?

8. Why are the hunters always fed first?

9. What are the discomforts that the women notice most as they travel?

10. What good deed have The People done for the two women as they leave them behind?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A legend is defined as a story that is realistic and may be based on fact. It is told and retold over generations because it has some general application to humanity as a whole. What is it about this story that has such impact that Velma Wallis was determined to spend years preparing it to be read by those outside the immediate social group, the Athabascans? Why does this story qualify as a legend?

Essay Topic 2

Who do you think suffered more during the long, hard winter? Was it the two women, or the chief, the daughter, and the other members of the band? Why? In your essay, compare and contrast the situations of the two groups. What advantage did the women have? What advantage did the chief and the rest of The People have?

Essay Topic 3

Explain Velma Wallis' statement that young people may learn about their past, their people, and themselves from stories such as this one. How can such a specific story have such broad general impact?

(see the answer keys)

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