Exploring Chapter 17 of Island of the Blue Dolphins

The transcript describes a period of stormy weather on an island, during which the protagonist crafts a spear to hunt a giant devilfish. As spring arrives, they venture to Coral Cove for the hunt, but are preoccupied with thoughts of Ratu, a companion who has gone missing. The narrative shifts to a tense encounter between Ratu and a pack of wild dogs, culminating in a battle where Ratu triumphs and returns home, while the wild dogs disperse.

What did the narrator spend most of the days doing during the early storms?

• Making a new dress

• Building a shelter

• Fashioning a spear

• Hunting for food

Tags

CCSS.RL.1.6

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Why was the new spear especially good?

• It had a sharp blade

• It was made of metal

• It could be thrown from a distance

• It was lightweight

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What signaled the arrival of spring to the narrator?

• The blooming flowers

• The longer days

• The melting snow

• The arrival of darting birds

Tags

CCSS.RL.7.10

CCSS.RL.7.5

CCSS.RL.8.10

CCSS.RL.8.5

CCSS.RL.9-10.9

Why did Rontu not go with the narrator to the beach?

• He was injured

• He was scared of the water

• He had not returned after being let out

• He was guarding the house

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

What did the narrator do with the canoe after hunting in the morning?

• Brought it back home

• Tied it to a tree

• Hid it in a cave

• Left it on the beach

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

What did the narrator hear while climbing the cliff?

• Waves crashing

• Dogs fighting

• Wind blowing

• Birds singing

Tags

CCSS.RL.5.6

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

Where did the tracks of the wild dogs lead the narrator?

• To the ravine

• To the beach

• To the spring

• To the house

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.1

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.7.2

What was the narrator's initial thought when seeing Rontu and the wild dogs?

• Rontu was leading the pack

• The pack was attacking Rontu

• Rontu was playing with the dogs

• The dogs were ignoring Rontu

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Why did the narrator decide not to intervene in the battle?

• The narrator was scared

• The narrator had no weapons

• Rontu was winning

• The battle needed to be resolved between the dogs

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.3

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.RL.7.6

CCSS.RL.8.6

CCSS.RL.9-10.3

What happened to the wild dogs after the battle?

• They left the island

• They divided into two packs

• They became friendly with Rontu

• They attacked the narrator

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2