"Touching Spirit Bear" Part 1 Comprehension Test Review

Why is Cole Matthews banished to live alone on an island in Southeast Alaska for one year?

• Cole is banished to the island for his own protection. Peter Driscal has vowed to get revenge.

• Because Cole is a Tlingit Indian, court officials are allowing the Native American method of justice.

• Cole abuses drugs and alcohol. Banishment is an effective way to help him stop.

• Cole robbed a store and nearly beat Peter Driscal to death. Banishment is the only alternative to jail.

Why does Edwin, the Tlingit elder, require Cole to wear his clothes inside out?

• It is Edwin's way of getting back at Cole for spitting at him.

• The purpose is to show humility and shame, and force Cole to realize that he is no longer in control.

• Cole has to learn to do what people in authority tell him to do without questioning them.

• It is symbolic of the fact that Cole needs to correct his internal (emotional) problems.

What is Cole's philosophy about fear?

• Cole believes that fear is the only sincerely felt human emotion.

• Cole believes that no one is fearless; everyone is afraid of something.

• Cole believes that fear is necessary for success in life.

• Cole believes that no one should be afraid of anything.

Why do you think counseling has no effect on Cole?

• Cole is required to use public service counselors who do not care about the people they are assigned to help.

• Cole feels people have their own motives for helping him; threats are never followed up with action.

• The counselors don't really listen to what Cole is saying when he answers their questions; they hear what they want to hear.

• Cole's parents are never present at the counseling sessions, so his real issues are never addressed.

How does Cole describe his parents near the beginning of the story?

• Cole describes his mom as "a strong, smart, and beautiful woman" and says it is a shame that she married such a"a temperamental man who abuses her."

• Cole describes his mom as "a wimpy alcoholic" who occasionally beats him. His dad is "equally as wimpy" and beats him worse than his mom does.

• Cole describes his mom as "just like a Barbie doll, beautiful with a seemingly perfect life." He says his dad "is [his] mom's Ken. He is not very bright but a good man at heart."

• Cole describes his mom as "a scared Barbie doll, always looking good but never fighting back or standing up to anyone." He calls his dad "a bullheaded drinker with a temper."

Cole has a habit of blaming others for his mistakes. Which of the following is an example of this behavior from the text?

• Cole tells Edwin "everything is determined by fate anyway, so no one really makes his own choices in life."

• Cole says Garvey is responsible for "getting [him] stuck on this lousy island."

• Cole believes that if Peter had learned to fight back, he wouldn't have been hurt so badly.

• Cole believes that his mother's abusiveness toward him makes him want to lash out at others.

What is Circle Justice?

• Circle Justice focuses on healing through group discussions and therapy with a trained group leader called a "Keeper."

• Circle Justice is the Native American term for "justice as nature would have it." It focuses on punishment through natural consequences.

• Circle Justice is a method of punishment that involves physical hardship and pain as a means of revenge.

• Circle Justice is a form of justice practiced by native cultures for thousands of years. It focuses on healing, not punishment.

What is one of the first signs that Cole does not plan to honor his commitment to stay on the island for a year?

• The statement, "If these fossils really thought he was going to live in that shack, they were nuts," implies that Cole intends to leave the island.

• When they approach the island in the skiff, Cole tells Garvey that he "has no intention of staying on the island."

• Even as the Circle Justice leaders are deciding whether to send him to the island, Cole thinks of several possible ways to escape.

• Before Cole leaves for Alaska, he calls a friend and makes clear that he will be back "sooner than anyone thinks."

What is a Spirit Bear?

• A Spirit Bear is a special black bear that lives off the coast of British Columbia. It is pure white and represents pride, dignity, and honor.

• A Spirit Bear is a polar bear that has wandered far from its natural territory. If is led by "spirits" to places where it is needed.

• A Spirit Bear is a Native American metaphor for one's own soul. If one meditates long enough, the true self will appear.

• A Spirit Bear is a white bear that does not really exist; people see it during times of crisis when they need guidance.

What does Edwin mean when he says, "You live or die by your actions"?

• It is a warning to ration his food supplies; if he doesn't, he might starve to death before Edwin returns.

• Whatever happens to Cole will be a result of his own actions; he will no longer be able to blame others.

• No one will interfere with Cole's decisions; if he makes a bad decision, no one will stop him.

• If Cole gets himself into a life-threatening situation, he can't depend on anyone else to save him.