QUIZ PREP - How a Protagonist Changes/Secondary Characters

Passage 1: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
"Karana stood on the cliff overlooking the sea, her heart aching for her brother, Ramo, who was gone. She had been alone on the island for many moons now, but every night, she thought of him. His memory gave her the strength to keep going, to keep surviving in a world that seemed bent on taking everything from her. The island had taken her family, but it had not taken her will to live. The wild dogs circled her camp every night, but Ramo’s voice, though only in her mind, reminded her that she was strong enough to face any danger."

Who is the protagonist in the passage?

• Ramo

• The wild dogs

• Karana

• The island

Answer explanation

The protagonist in the passage is Karana, as she is the one experiencing emotions and challenges. Ramo is her brother, the wild dogs are threats, and the island is the setting, but Karana is the central character facing adversity.

Passage 1: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
"Karana stood on the cliff overlooking the sea, her heart aching for her brother, Ramo, who was gone. She had been alone on the island for many moons now, but every night, she thought of him. His memory gave her the strength to keep going, to keep surviving in a world that seemed bent on taking everything from her. The island had taken her family, but it had not taken her will to live. The wild dogs circled her camp every night, but Ramo’s voice, though only in her mind, reminded her that she was strong enough to face any danger."

Which of the following is a secondary character in this passage?

• The island

• Karana

• The wild dogs

• Ramo

Answer explanation

Ramo is a secondary character in the passage. He is Karana's brother, whose memory motivates her, but he is not present in the current events of the story, making him secondary to the main character, Karana.

Passage 1: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
"Karana stood on the cliff overlooking the sea, her heart aching for her brother, Ramo, who was gone. She had been alone on the island for many moons now, but every night, she thought of him. His memory gave her the strength to keep going, to keep surviving in a world that seemed bent on taking everything from her. The island had taken her family, but it had not taken her will to live. The wild dogs circled her camp every night, but Ramo’s voice, though only in her mind, reminded her that she was strong enough to face any danger."

How does Ramo, as a secondary character, influence Karana in this passage?

• His memory reminds her of the dangers of the island.

• His memory strengthens Karana and motivates her to survive.

• He distracts Karana and makes her feel lonely.

• His absence causes Karana to doubt her ability to survive.

Answer explanation

Ramo's memory serves as a source of strength for Karana, motivating her to survive despite the challenges she faces on the island. His presence in her thoughts empowers her to confront dangers, highlighting the positive influence he has.

Passage 1: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
"Karana stood on the cliff overlooking the sea, her heart aching for her brother, Ramo, who was gone. She had been alone on the island for many moons now, but every night, she thought of him. His memory gave her the strength to keep going, to keep surviving in a world that seemed bent on taking everything from her. The island had taken her family, but it had not taken her will to live. The wild dogs circled her camp every night, but Ramo’s voice, though only in her mind, reminded her that she was strong enough to face any danger."

What does Karana’s reaction to thinking about Ramo reveal about her character?

• She is overwhelmed by loneliness and fear.

• She finds strength in the memory of her brother.

• She feels guilty about not protecting him.

• She is determined to avoid danger.

Answer explanation

Karana's thoughts of Ramo provide her with strength, showing her resilience and determination to survive despite her loneliness. This highlights her ability to draw power from cherished memories, rather than succumbing to despair.

Passage 1: Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
"Karana stood on the cliff overlooking the sea, her heart aching for her brother, Ramo, who was gone. She had been alone on the island for many moons now, but every night, she thought of him. His memory gave her the strength to keep going, to keep surviving in a world that seemed bent on taking everything from her. The island had taken her family, but it had not taken her will to live. The wild dogs circled her camp every night, but Ramo’s voice, though only in her mind, reminded her that she was strong enough to face any danger."

Which sentence best shows that Karana is inspired by Ramo’s memory?

• “Karana stood on the cliff overlooking the sea, her heart aching for her brother.”

• “She had been alone on the island for many moons now.”

• “Ramo’s voice, though only in her mind, reminded her that she was strong enough to face any danger.”

• “The wild dogs circled her camp every night.”

Answer explanation

The sentence "Ramo’s voice, though only in her mind, reminded her that she was strong enough to face any danger" clearly shows how Karana draws inspiration from Ramo's memory, highlighting her inner strength.

Passage 2: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
"Sam Gribley was deep in the woods, surrounded by trees that stretched as far as the eye could see. The wilderness was his home now, and he had learned to live off the land. Every time he caught a fish or built a fire, he thought of his father. His father had taught him so much before he left the city. Now, those lessons came flooding back, guiding him through each difficult day. Though he was alone, he felt as if his father’s wisdom was always with him, helping him survive in this new, untamed world."

Who is the protagonist in the passage?

• Sam Gribley

• Sam’s father

• The wilderness

• The fish

Answer explanation

The protagonist in the passage is Sam Gribley, as he is the central character navigating the wilderness and reflecting on his father's teachings, which guide him through his challenges.

Passage 2: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
"Sam Gribley was deep in the woods, surrounded by trees that stretched as far as the eye could see. The wilderness was his home now, and he had learned to live off the land. Every time he caught a fish or built a fire, he thought of his father. His father had taught him so much before he left the city. Now, those lessons came flooding back, guiding him through each difficult day. Though he was alone, he felt as if his father’s wisdom was always with him, helping him survive in this new, untamed world."

Which of the following is a secondary character in this passage?

• Sam’s father

• The trees

• The wilderness

• The fish

Answer explanation

Sam’s father is a secondary character in the passage. He influences Sam's survival skills and thoughts, even though he is not physically present. The other options, like the trees and wilderness, are part of the setting, not characters.

Passage 2: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
"Sam Gribley was deep in the woods, surrounded by trees that stretched as far as the eye could see. The wilderness was his home now, and he had learned to live off the land. Every time he caught a fish or built a fire, he thought of his father. His father had taught him so much before he left the city. Now, those lessons came flooding back, guiding him through each difficult day. Though he was alone, he felt as if his father’s wisdom was always with him, helping him survive in this new, untamed world."

How does Sam’s father, as a secondary character, influence Sam in this passage?

• His absence causes Sam to feel abandoned.

• His past lessons give Sam the knowledge to survive.

• His voice distracts Sam from his survival tasks.

• His memory causes Sam to wish he had never left home.

Answer explanation

Sam's father influences him by providing past lessons that equip him with the knowledge necessary for survival in the wilderness. His father's teachings are a source of guidance, helping Sam navigate challenges.

Passage 2: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
"Sam Gribley was deep in the woods, surrounded by trees that stretched as far as the eye could see. The wilderness was his home now, and he had learned to live off the land. Every time he caught a fish or built a fire, he thought of his father. His father had taught him so much before he left the city. Now, those lessons came flooding back, guiding him through each difficult day. Though he was alone, he felt as if his father’s wisdom was always with him, helping him survive in this new, untamed world."

What does Sam’s reaction to thinking about his father reveal about his character?

• Sam is scared of being alone in the wilderness.

• Sam is confident and resourceful, relying on his father’s teachings.

• Sam regrets his decision to leave the city.

• Sam feels burdened by the responsibility of survival.

Answer explanation

Sam's thoughts of his father show he is confident and resourceful, using his father's teachings to navigate challenges in the wilderness. This indicates he values those lessons and feels capable in his new environment.

Passage 2: My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
"Sam Gribley was deep in the woods, surrounded by trees that stretched as far as the eye could see. The wilderness was his home now, and he had learned to live off the land. Every time he caught a fish or built a fire, he thought of his father. His father had taught him so much before he left the city. Now, those lessons came flooding back, guiding him through each difficult day. Though he was alone, he felt as if his father’s wisdom was always with him, helping him survive in this new, untamed world."

Which sentence best shows that Sam relies on his father’s wisdom to survive?

• The wilderness was his home now.

• Every time he caught a fish or built a fire, he thought of his father.

• Though he was alone, he felt as if his father’s wisdom was always with him.

• The trees stretched as far as the eye could see.

Answer explanation

The sentence "Every time he caught a fish or built a fire, he thought of his father" directly shows Sam's reliance on his father's teachings for survival, highlighting the connection between his actions and his father's wisdom.