Mrs. Tancredi's English Classes - Home



The Woman Who Fell from the Sky?(Seneca)from Stith Thompson,?Tales of the North American Indians?(1929)?A long time ago human beings lived high up in what is now called heaven. They had a great and illustrious chief.It so happened that this chief's daughter was taken very ill with some strange affliction. Every known remedy was tried in an attempt to cure her, but none had any effect.Near the lodge of this chief stood a great tree, which every year bore corn used for food. One of the friends of the chief had a dream in which he was advised to tell the chief that, in order to cure his daughter, he must lay her beside this tree, and that he must have the tree dug up. This advice was carried out to the letter. While the people were at work and the young woman lay there, a young man came along. He was very angry and said: "It is not at all right to destroy this tree. Its fruit is all that we have to live on." With this remark he gave the young woman who lay there ill a shove with his foot, causing her to fall into the hole that had been dug.Now, that hole opened into this world, which was then all water, on which floated waterfowl of many kinds. There was no land at that time. It came to pass that as these waterfowl saw this young woman falling they shouted, "Let us receive her," whereupon they, at least some of them, joined their bodies together, and the young woman fell on this platform of bodies. When these were wearied they asked, "Who will volunteer to care for this woman?" The great Turtle then took her, and when he got tired of holding her, he in turn asked who would take his place. At last the question arose as to what they should do to provide her with a permanent resting place in this world. Finally it was decided to prepare the earth, on which she would live in the future. To do this it was determined that soil from the bottom of the primal sea should be brought up and placed on the broad, firm carapace of the Turtle, where it would increase in size to such an extent that it would accommodate all the creatures that should be produced thereafter. After much discussion the toad was finally persuaded to dive to the bottom of the waters in search of soil. Bravely making the attempt, he succeeded in bringing up soil from the depths of the sea. This was carefully spread over the carapace of the Turtle, and at once both began to grow in size and depth.After the young woman recovered from the illness from which she suffered when she was cast down from the upper world, she built herself a shelter, in which she lived quite contentedly. In the course of time she brought forth a girl baby, who grew rapidly in size and intelligence.When the daughter had grown to young womanhood, the mother and she were accustomed to go out to dig wild potatoes. Her mother had said to her that in doing this she must face the west at all times. Before long the young daughter gave signs that she was about to become a mother. Her mother reproved her, saying that she had violated the injunction not to face the east, as her condition showed that she had faced the wrong way while digging potatoes. It is said that the breath of the West Wind had entered her person, causing conception. When the days of her delivery were at hand, she overheard twins within her body in a hot debate as to which should be born first and as to the proper place of exit, one declaring that he was going to emerge through the armpit of his mother, the other saying that he would emerge in the natural way. The first one born, who was of a reddish color, was called Othagwenda, that is, Flint. The other, who was light in color, was called Djuskaha, that is, the Little Sprout.The grandmother of the twins liked Djuskaha [Little Sprout] and hated the other, so they cast Othagwenda [Flint] into a hollow tree some distance from the lodge.The boy who remained in the lodge grew very rapidly, and soon was able to make himself bows and arrows and to go out to hunt in the vicinity. Finally, for several days he returned home without his bow and arrows. At last he was asked why he had to have a new bow and arrows every morning. He replied that there was a young boy in a hollow tree in the neighborhood who used them. The grandmother inquired where the tree stood, and he told her; whereupon then they went there and brought the other boy home again.When the boys had grown to man's estate, they decided that it was necessary for them to increase the size of their island, so they agreed to start out together, afterward separating to create forests and lakes and other things. They parted as agreed, Othagwenda [Flint] going westward and Djuskaha [Little Sprout] eastward. In the course of time, on returning they met in their shelter or lodge at night, then agreeing to go the next day to see what each had made. First they went west to see what Othagwenda [Flint] had made. It was found that he had made the country all rocks and full of ledges, and also a mosquito that was very large. Djuskaha asked the mosquito to run, in order that he might see whether the insect could fight. The mosquito ran, and sticking his bill through a sapling, thereby made it fall, at which Djuskaha [Little Sprout] said, "That will not be right, for you would kill the people who are about to come." So, seizing him, he rubbed him down in his hands, causing him to become very small; then he blew on the mosquito, whereupon he flew away. He also modified some of the other animals that his brother had made. After returning to their lodge, they agreed to go the next day to see what Djuskaha [Little Sprout] had fashioned.On visiting the east the next day, they found that Djuskaha had made a large number of animals which were so fat that they could hardly move; that he had made the sugar-maple trees to drop syrup; that he had made the sycamore tree to bear fine fruit; that the rivers were so formed that half the water flowed upstream and the other half downstream. Then the reddish-colored brother, Othagwenda [Flint], was greatly displeased with what his brother had made, saying that the people who were about to come would live too easily and be too happy. So he shook violently the various animals--the bears, deer, and turkeys--causing them to become small at once, a characteristic that attached itself to their descendants. He also caused the sugar maple to drop sweetened water only, and the fruit of the sycamore to become small and useless; and lastly he caused the water of the rivers to flow in only one direction, because the original plan would make it too easy for the human beings who were about to come to navigate the streams.The inspection of each other's work resulted in a deadly disagreement between the brothers, who finally came to grips and blows, and Othagwenda [Flint] was killed in the fierce struggle.Choose the BEST answer:1. In this passage, the woman was kicked through the hole because:A. She was sick and it was difficult to care for herB. It wasn’t right to dig up the tree for her because the tree provided food for the tribeC. The chief had decided he no longer cared about herD. None of the above2. Waterfowl rescue the girl as she begins to fall. What function of myth is this?A. Supports and validates social customsB. Guides people through the trials of livingC. Instills a sense of awe in the universeD. Explains the workings of the natural world3. “…as these waterfowl saw this young woman falling, they shouted, ‘Let us receive her…’” This passage is an example of what literary device?A. PersonificationB. AlliterationC. SimileD. Metaphor4. When the turtle grew tired of carrying the woman on his back, he and the other animals had to find a solution to their problem. What was it?A. The woman would float on the turtle's back beneath the empty sky until she finally died.B. The animals would find soil from the bottom of the ocean to create the earth for her to rest upon.C. The toad would put on a top- hat and started kicking his legs to a song; music would help the woman rest.D. The woman would live in a shelter made out of the turtle's skull.5. In this creation story, the world begins to grow on the back of a turtle. Which function of myth is this?A. Supports and validates social customsB. Guides people through the trials of livingC. Instills a sense of awe in the universeD. Explains the workings of the natural world6.How did the sky-woman's daughter become pregnant? A. The daughter faced the wrong way (the east) while digging potatoes.B. The daughter dreamt of the West Wind.C. A mysterious stranger approached and laid a dull arrow and a sharp arrow on her stomach.D. The daughter married the top-hat wearing toad. 7. When the daughter begins to dig up potatoes, her mother tells her how to do it. What function of myth does the mother's directions represent?A. Supports and validates social customsB. Guides people through the trials of livingC. Instills a sense of awe in the universeD. Explains the workings of the natural world8. After Othagwenda was born, what happened to him?A. He came out of his mother’s armpitB. He was cast into a hollow treeC. He debated with his brotherD. None of the above9. Little Sprout found a bow and arrow. The story suggests that:A. Othagwenda invented hunting B. Djushaka invented hunting C. Othagwenda invented peace and loveD. Little Sprout wanted to play10. Othagwenda and Djushaka show each other what they have created. The mosquito is changed because:A. It can bring down treesB. It can run very fastC. It would be too powerful for manD. It is ugly11. Why did Othagwenda shake all of Djushaka’s animals?A. Man would not be happy or live easily with big animalsB. Man would not be able to hunt the large animalsC. When the animals shake, they become meatD. Man would become too happy and live easily with big animals12. The brothers end up fighting each other. The story suggests that:A. Djushaka wanted life to be good for man, and Othagwenda wanted it to be hard.B. Othagwenda wanted life to be good for man, and Djushaka wanted it to be hard.C. Djushaka was upset with how Othagwenda shook the animals.D. Othagwenda enjoys sunsets and long walks on the beach, much like Ryan Reynolds.13. Othagwenda was killed by his brother. This might suggest that:A. Evil usually triumphs over goodB. There is balance in the universeC. Good usually triumphs over evilD. Cheese is delicious “Indian Education”14. The author of “Indian Education,” Sherman Alexie, uses humor to explain his origins. Why?A. To make the story fun for high school students to readB. To explain how he became valedictorian C. To hide the pain that he experienced while growing up as a Native AmericanD. To make it seem as if living on a reservation was fun15. In third grade, Alexie was punished for drawing a lewd picture. Which of the following answers best describes why Alexie thinks that he's still waiting for the punishment to end?A. Alexie enjoys drawing pictures and he feels censored and restricted because nobody likes his art.B. Alexie lives in a world where he must succumb to the social customs of a culture that isn't is; he feels alone.C. Alexie wants to pay tribute to his ancestors through his art but he isn't a very good artist.D. Mrs. Shcluter confiscated a piece of artwork that was special to him and he regrets that he can't get it back. 16. In the ninth grade, Alexie learned a valuable lesson. What was it?A. When the gym is really hot, you should pace yourself while playing basketball so that you don't pass out. B. Diabetes can affect anyone.C. Dancing after a basketball game can make you sick.D. Someone who may have faced racism can be racist towards other innocent people. 17. In the eleventh grade, Alexie read a hurtful headline. Why was the headline hurtful?A. Alexie already felt like it was his fault for losing the game, and he was always made to feel like a loser because he was "Indian". B. Alexie loved basketball and hated to lose.C. The newspaper used bad grammar, and Alexie was an excellent writer.D. Alexie felt insulted that the mascot was an "Indian", as if it was a mockery of his cultural background.18. Why was it ironic that the administration stood with Alexie and celebrated his success as valedictorian?A. The elite whites had created a difficult world for Alexie and his peopleB. Alexie was the first Native American to play basketballC. Alexie truly enjoyed his experience in public schoolsD. The elite white man had made it possible for him to graduate19. What does the story suggest by describing fifth graders who do drugs on the playground and new kids who were initiated into the group through violence?A. Drugs and violence were the only things the kids enjoyedB. Drugs and violence were the means of escape for kids who were pushed downC. Video games taught Native American kids how to be criminalsD. School taught Native American kids how to be criminals“Coyote Stories”22. In “Coyote and the Buffalo,” Coyote is given a young cow that can always provide him meat as a gift. Coyote wanted to eat the more delicious parts of the young cow, so he killed her. What does this suggest about coyote?A. He was greedyB. He was in love with the young cowC. He wanted to get revenge on Bull BuffaloD. He wanted to gain the young cow’s powers23. In “Coyote and the Buffalo,” Coyote is chased by Bull Buffalo, so Coyote tries to get out of trouble. How does he do it?A. By offering Bull Buffalo a place to liveB. By tricking Bull Buffalo into becoming his good friendC. By promising Bull Buffalo that he will help him kill an old enemyD. By tricking Bull Buffalo with magic powers24. “Coyote and the Buffalo” is a folktale that uses a trickster character to explain that:A. There are often ways to get out of trouble if you use your head and make friends, but greed can catch up to you.B. Calling upon magical powers can help you get out of troubleC. Whenever someone gives you advice, do the oppositeD. The coyote and the buffalo are two animals that will always remain friends25. “Coyote and the Buffalo” is a story that fulfills a function of myth –– explores the workings of the natural world –– how does the story fulfill this function? A. The coyote story explains how magic is used in our worldB. The coyote story explains how women have control over menC. The coyote story explains that it pays to be clever and break promisesD. The coyote story explains why there are no more buffalo in the country 26. “Fox and Coyote and Whale” is a folktale that explains that:A. Different types of creatures have their own place and function in the worldB. Whales can transform into peopleC. The fox is a sly animalD. The mouse is a thief and knows how to speak different languages27. “But since that day Whale Monster was vanquished the Land?People and the Water People have not loved each other. Fox made it so.” Which function of myth is represented by the above passage? A. Instill a sense of awe in the universeB. Explains the workings of the natural worldC. Football is the game that the gods playD. Guides people through the trials of living28. Which of the following sentences is the correct usage of the word "succumb"?A. The other type of lawn is the succumb of the rest.B. The winner always the one to succumb.C. The succumb of the summer time reminds me of trees in the breezeD. The loser of the boxing fight eventually had to succumb to my fists29. Which of the following sentences is the correct usage of the word "ritual"?A. Every morning I go through the same rituals to prepare for my day at school.B. The candle had a ritual along its side.C. The ritual looked at me and said, "Hey, that's my eye!"D. The ritual ate the spoon and nearly choked.30. Which of the following sentences is the correct usage of the word "contend"?A. I may contend the dress to make sure it's ready for the wedding.B. The man was contend because his day had gone well.C. The two athletes will contend for the ultimate prize.D. The contended fence had a hole in it large enough for the dogs to slip through.31. Which of the following sentences is the correct usage of the word "void"?A. Outer space is a large, airless void.B. The void seat had the seatbelt twisted up.C. Void breaking rules, because there are usually consequences.D. The void of the sun shone for a full day until the rain came. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download