Aleuts, Sea Otters, and Conservation

The transcript describes the kelp beds surrounding an island and the Aleuts' hunting of sea otters for their pelts. The narrator expresses concern over the dwindling otter population and conflicts with her father over the hunting. As the Aleuts prepare to leave, the villagers worry about receiving payment for the otter skins. Tensions rise as they observe the Aleuts' activities, fearing they might leave without paying.

What surrounds the island on three sides?

• Rocky cliffs

• Sandy beaches

• Kelp beds

• Coral reefs

What is a key difference between a sea otter and a seal?

• Seals are more playful

• Sea otters have longer noses

• Seals have webbed feet

• Sea otters have thicker fur

How do sea otters often rest in the kelp beds?

• On their stomachs

• On their backs

• Standing upright

• Floating vertically

What do the Aleuts do with the otters they catch?

• Keep them as pets

• Skin them for their pelts

• Use them for food

• Release them back into the sea

What did the villagers use to light their work at night?

• Seaweed fires

• Moonlight

• Torches

• Lanterns

What did the villagers count each night?

• The number of otters

• The number of beads

• The number of Aleuts

• The number of canoes

What emotion does the narrator feel towards the otter hunting?

• Joy

• Indifference

• Anger

• Curiosity

What does the narrator value more than beads?

• Fishing with family

• Hunting with the Aleuts

• Collecting shells

• Playing with otters

What concern does the narrator express to their father?

• The island will be overrun with otters

• The Aleuts will stay forever

• The otters will become extinct

• The Aleuts will not pay for the pelts

What does the father believe about the otter population?

• They will never return

• They will come back after the hunters leave

• They are too many to count

• They are not important