Cultural Passage Quiz

Which culture does this passage primarily describe?

• Navajo

• American

• Japanese

• US Soldier

What is the setting for this passage?

• The narrator’s Navajo school

• San Francisco

• Marine boot camp in San Diego

• A US Navy battleship in the ocean

What type of conflict is primarily being described throughout the whole passage?

• Man vs. man (Jacob Benally vs. Principal O’Sullivan)

• Man vs. man (students vs. Jacob Benally)

• Man vs. society (students vs. school)

• Man vs. nature

As used in line 3 and 11, “bilagaanaa” most nearly means

• Navajo

• English

• White man

• Japanese

The tone of the passage is primarily

• excited

• sorry

• angry

• sad

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Lines 3-5 (“They were… Navajo”)

• Lines 34-37 (“Thinking back… tongue”)

• Lines 37-42 (“But I can… culture”)

• Lines 43-45 (“‘Navajo… world!’”)

Which of the following is the best summary of the passage?

• Students realize how learning English requires the sacrifice of their Navajo culture.

• English is the sacred language of Americans.

• The Navajo students lose their clothing and hair.

• Racist Navajos want to rise up against White culture.

Which choice provides the best evidence for the answer to the previous question?

• Line 7-8 (“Many Horses… up”)

• Line 29-32 (“His job… English”)

• Line 37-42 (“But I can… culture”)

• Line 44-49 (“Only English… forgotten”)

Why was it good to speak only English?

• The students learned the code faster.

• The older students helped the younger students to become more American.

• They learned English faster.

• It was NOT good in any way.

Why is this passage ironic?

• It is a good thing for America that Navajos did NOT forget their language.

• Ned becomes a Marine because he learns enough English to take the ASVAB test.

• Jacob Benally becomes a Marine who will recruit Ned Yazzi.

• Principal O’Sullivan will later become President of the United States with Russia’s help.