37 Selection Review #1 Chapters 1 and 2 1. What is Mafatu s problem, and how does he plan to solve it? Mafatu has been afraid of the sea ever since a hurricane killed his mother and almost took his own life. His fear prevents him from becoming a fisherman. His father is ashamed of him. Other children in the village make fun of him. Mafatu decides he must face what he fears most, the sea. He plans to sail alone to a distant island. 2. Who is Moana? Why does Mafatu fear him? Moana is the god of the sea. Mafatu fears him because he killed his mother. Mafatu also believes that Moana is trying to kill him. 3. Why does Mafatu have a special compassion for his two pets, Uri and Kivi? Mafatu is fond of Uri, a yellow dog, because he follows him wherever he goes. Mafatu admires Kivi, an albatross with a deformed leg, who has learned to take care of himself, even though he was treated harshly by the other birds. 4. What law rules the sea, and how does Mafatu fight against it? The world of the sea is ruled by Nature s harsh law of survival. Mafatu must fight against this ruler, Nature, in his struggle for survival against the waves, the storm, and eventually the hot sun. 5. List the special features in Armstrong Sperry s writing that make the text in often sound like poetry. Sperry s writing contains many examples of figurative language, especially similes and personification. His writing also contains many examples of alliteration. Poetry usually contains these special features also. This is why the text in often seems poetry-like.
38 Selection Review #2 Chapters 3 and 4 1. How does Mafatu want his father to see him when he returns home? Mafatu imagines returning home in a finely crafted canoe wearing a necklace of boar s teeth. He imagines that everyone will marvel at his accomplishments and that his father will be filled with pride. 2. How does Mafatu get a spearhead? Why is getting the spearhead so important to him? Mafatu takes a spearhead that he finds near the towering idol. It is important because he needs it for survival. It is even more important because taking it requires courage. Mafatu faces something he dreads, and it is a turning point in his life. 3. Why does Mafatu go to the top of the plateau every day? What does this tell you about him? Mafatu goes to the plateau every day because it is a good lookout. If the eaters-of-men are traveling to the island, he will be able to see them. Mafatu shows wisdom in doing this. Even though he would rather spend time making his canoe, he makes the journey daily because it is the safest and wisest thing to do. 4. Now that Mafatu is ready to return home, what is his view of the sea? Mafatu no longer fears the sea. He believes that with his skill, he has made a truce with Moana, the sea god. He now is as comfortable on the sea as on the land. The sea is no more to be feared than earth or air: only another element for man to conquer. 5. How has Mafatu s view of himself changed since the beginning of the novel? At the start of the novel, Mafatu was fearful and lacking in self-confidence. He was unhappy with who he was. The shame he brought his father and the scorn he suffered from his peers made him miserable. Now Mafatu has found peace with himself and the sea. He has faced many dangers and overcome them, and this has given him great confidence.
39 Selection Review #3 Chapter 5 1. Why is Mafatu able to escape from the eaters-of-men? Mafatu is able to avoid capture on land because he knows the trail better than the eaters-of-men. He has a head start in the sea chase, and his boat is lighter than the mens boat. There is wind to push his sailing craft beyond the reach of the eaters-of-men. 2. Why does Mafatu think about jumping into the sea? Mafatu is in despair. He is not thinking clearly because he has been on the boat for days with little food or water. He is thinking about ending his life and joining his mother and those whose lives have been claimed by Moana the Sea God. 3. What fear does Mafatu overcome in this last chapter? Mafatu overcomes his fear of Moana the Sea God in chapter 5. He rebukes the sea god and says he is not afraid. He laughs at the sea god. 4. Compare Mafatu s real homecoming to the one he imagined. Mafatu s homecoming is very much as he imagined it. The people of his island see his skillfully made canoe, his necklace of boar s teeth, his splendid spear, and his courageous eyes. They do not recognize Mafatu, but can tell that he is a skillful, brave young man. Even Mafatu s father does not recognize him at first. When he does, however, he is very proud. 5. Describe an important theme in. One theme can be stated, Facing life s challenges with courage makes a person strong and more confident. Mafatu is the Boy Who Was Afraid at the start of the novel because of his overwhelming fear of the sea. He faces the sea and many other challenges during the course of the novel. He gains courage and believes his character has come to reflect his true name, Stout Heart. Another theme is A person must draw upon all of his inner and outer resources to face challenges in nature. Mafatu must face a terrible storm at sea and is tossed upon an unknown island. He possesses nothing except his pet dog Uri when he becomes stranded. Mafatu must use his wit and all of his skills to survive. Another theme is, Companionship helps a person face life s difficulties. Mafatu s two pets are his constant companions. Their acceptance of Mafatu and devotion to him are a source of great encouragement. Finally, another theme is, Accepting and facing life s challenges leads to maturity and adulthood. At the beginning of the novel, Mafatu has no self-confidence and is ashamed of who he is. He feels, as do many others on Hikueru, that he will never be able to take his place among the men on the island. Mafatu matures into a confident, skilled young man during the course of the novel. He is so changed that his own father does not recognize him when he finally returns home.
40 Name: Literature Test #1 Chapters 1and 2 1. Why are the people of Hikueru ashamed of Mafatu? 2. What does Mafatu hope to accomplish when he goes out to sea? continued...
41 3. Do you think Mafatu made a good decision when he decided to go out to sea? Gives reasons to support your answer. 4. Why is Mafatu afraid of Moana, the sea god? 5. What must Mafatu fight against when he goes to sea?
42 Name: Literature Test #2 Chapters 3 and 4 1. Contrast how Mafatu viewed the sea at the start of the novel with the way he sees it now. 2. How does Mafatu hope to prove himself to his father and the people of Hikueru? continued...
43 3. There have been several turning points for Mafatu in this novel. These turning points are events that changed his life forever. Name one turning point and explain why it is a turning point. 4. How has Mafatu changed since the start of the novel?
44 Name: Literature Test #3 Chapter 5 1. What advantage does Mafatu have as he flees from the eaters-of-men? 2. How does Mafatu change his attitude toward Moana the Sea God? continued...
45 3. How is Mafatu received when he returns home? 4. How do you think life will be different for Mafatu now that he has returned home? Give reasons to support your answer.
46 Name: Vocabulary Test #1 Chapters 1 and 2 WRITE SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS: frail stout faltered lurked jeered dismal hostile chaos feeble tantalizing
Name: 47 Vocabulary Test #2 Chapters 3 and 4 WRITE SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS: apprehension forbidding reassuring commenced inevitable sturdy elation rage somber descend
48 Name: Vocabulary Test #3 Chapter 5 WRITE SENTENCES FOR THE FOLLOWING WORDS: warily fleet monotony despair defiance