Rabbit-Proof Fence

What was the immediate impetus (reason) for the Australian authorities deciding to take the three girls?

• A new law gave the authorities the right to do this.

• One of the girls was promised by her family to marry an Aboriginal man.

• The girls were going to move.

• One of the girls was rumored to be planning to run away.

Which quote DOES NOT explain the goal of taking Aboriginal children from their families?

• To "stamp out the black color"

• So that eventually the "Aboriginal has been bred out"

• "To [allow the Aboriginals to] advance to white status"

• To "learn from the wise ways of the Aboriginal peoples"

What kinds of jobs were children at the mission school being trained for?

• Domestic laborers (maids) and farm laborers

• Domestic laborers and teachers

• Domestic laborers and lawyers

• Lawyers and teachers

What does this statement mean: “In spite of themselves, the native must be helped”?

• Aboriginal peoples know what's best for themselves, so white Australians should not interfere.

• Aboriginal peoples don't know what's best for themselves, so white Australians must make decisions for them.

• Aboriginal peoples don't know what's best for themselves, so white Australians must work with them to decide together.

• Aboriginal peoples don't know what's best for themselves and neither do white Australians.

What does the man taking the children say will happen if they don't go with him?

• "You'll have to pay a big fine."

• "I'll lock your mother up."

• "Your girls won't be educated."

• "You will have a bad life."

What does Constable Riggs (the man who takes the children) say to the mother while taking them away? Check everything.

• "It's the law."

• "You'll understand when you're older."

• "You've got no say."

• "Nothing you can do."

How do we know that the mission school is far from the girls' home?

• They have to travel by car, train and car again.

• They walk a long time to get there.

• It takes five weeks to get there.

• They have grown by the time they arrive.

What do the children think the nun is when they first see her?

• An angel

• A teacher

• A ghost

• A nun

What were the changes at the school that the girls experienced immediately?

• They could only speak English.

• They had to pray before meals.

• They had to perform Australian dances.

• They had to eat different foods.

What happened if children didn’t follow directions?

• They were yelled at.

• They were gently encouraged to try again.

• They were whipped.

• They were sent home to their families.