Building a Canoe

1.Why did the Native American go barefoot when entering the canoe?

• The canoe could be damaged by rocks, which were kicked away.

• The canoe was frail, and the bottom could be easily crushed.

• It made it easier to step in and out of the canoe.

• It made it easier to fit more people in the canoe.

2.Which explains why Native Americans placed logs or stones on a piece of bark while building a canoe?

• Their weight made it easier to stretch and bend the bark.

• Their size held the bark to the ground so it could be tied.

• They flattened the freshly cut bark and made it smooth.

• They formed the bark into the sides of the boat.

3.Based on the text, how were roots used to make a birch bark canoe?

• They held the bark down to flatten it.

• They were used to hold the bark to the tree.

• They were used to sew the bark to the poles.

• They held the bark in place to create its shape.

4.Based on the text, how did the Native Americans get the canoe from one body of water to another?

• They floated the canoe down shallow streams to the next body of

  water.

• They used the canoe to shoot down a dangerous rapid in the next

  body of water.

• They removed the canoe from the water and used long paddles to

  force it to the next body of water.

• They removed the canoe from the water and strapped it to the back of a man to be carried to the next body of water.

5.Which explains why the birch bark canoe was resourceful and creative?

• It was sewn together; yet it remained waterproof.

• It had to be treated tenderly, or it could be easily crushed.

• It was made from the bark of one tree and the limbs of another tree.

• It could carry a load but was light enough to be handled by one man.

6.Based on the text, how was the birch bark canoe given its shape?

• The bark was stretched and shaped by using branches from other

  trees.

• The bark was bent and held in shape by sticks in the ground.

• The bark on the bottom was crushed to form a boat shape.

• The bark had holes allowing its shape to be easily created.

7.Based on the text, why is it necessary for bands to be placed on top of the ribs of the canoe?

• Bands are used to reinforce the frail canoe structure to prevent the

  canoe from crushing.

• Bands are used to flatten the tough canoe structure to prevent the

  canoe from bending.

• Bands are used to build the sturdy canoe structure to prevent the

  canoe from sinking.

• Bands are used to cut the fragile canoe structure to prevent the canoe from splitting.

8.Why is the step explained in paragraph 3 necessary in building a canoe?

• to ensure the tree is long enough to form the ribs of the canoe

• to ensure the trees are stretched to form the sides of the canoe

• to ensure that tree is thick enough to form the sides of the canoe

• to ensure the tree is thin enough to form the paddles of the canoe

9.Which describes the importance of the canoe’s weight to the Native Americans?

• The canoe must be light enough to go down rapids.

• The canoe must be light enough to carry across land.

• The canoe must be light enough to float through heavy water.

• The canoe must be light enough to be paddled by three people.