WorksheetsNavajo Code Talkers Quiz
Total questions: 17
Worksheet time: 34mins
Why does the author use a chronological structure to convey their purpose in paragraphs 1-9? (R.2.1)
to emphasize the speed with which Johnston’s idea of Navajo Codetalkers came to life
to describe the methods used for training the Navajo tribesmen as Marines and code talkers
to show the solutions associated with using the Navajo code talkers with the problems that used to exist
How does the author develop the central idea about why the Navajo language was perfect for the job differently than they develop the central idea of how Navajo tribesmen became code talkers? (R.2.2)
The author describes key characteristics of the language.
The author relates important conversations and decisions that were made.
The author explains the process of creating new words in the Navajo language.
Read the following excerpt from Paragraphs 1 & 2:
…Indians from tribes in Wisconsin and Michigan were used as “code transmitters.” These Indians received “instructions in English, put them on the air in a tongue intelligible only to their listening fellow-tribesmen, who in turn retranslated the message into English at the receiving end.” Johnston began to tie this information to his childhood experience as the son of missionaries living on the Navajo reservation. With only Navajo children for playmates, young Philip soon learned the difficult language.
Johnston linked his knowledge of Navajo culture and language to the The Masterkey account of the Louisiana maneuvers and came up with a unique idea…“What would you think of a device that would assure you of complete secrecy when you send or receive messages on the battlefield?” he asked. (Paragraphs 1 & 2)
How does Johnston use reasoning to develop the argument in this excerpt? (R.2.4)
Johnston’s conclusion that he could help the military was likely to be true because it was based on facts.
Johnston’s conclusion that he could help the military was likely to be wrong since it was based more on desire than facts.
Johnston’s conclusion that he could help the military was wrong because it was based on circumstances that were not relevant to the current war.
How does the colonel use abductive reasoning to develop his argument in this paragraph? (R.2.4)
He makes an assumption based on past codes.
He oversimplifies the solution to Johnston’s problem.
He uses facts to draw a conclusion that is probably true.
Read paragraph 12:
Although an attempt had been made to write the language, it remained essentially oral. Furthermore, the Navajo did not adopt foreign words as other languages often do, and so the language remained pure. For example, when the radio was introduced on the reservation, the Navajo did not call it a radio. Instead they created a new Navajo word, nil-chi-hal-ne-ih. They also created a new word for telephone, besh-hal-ne-ih. These words were not pronounced as they are written here. Each syllable requires sounds that would need to be indicated by accent marks and phonetic symbols. Even with knowledge of phonetic symbols, an unpracticed tongue would have a great deal of difficulty. Deciphering a code based on the Navajo language would be significantly more difficult. (paragraph 12)
Which word from paragraph 12 comes from a Latin word meaning "representing vocal sounds"? (V.1.2)
radio
foreign
phonetic
Read this sentence from paragraph 10.
Its vowels rise and fall and words change meaning with pitch. The pronunciation of some words includes a small clutch of the breath, known as a glottal stop. This slight hesitation, difficult for the English-attuned ear to hear, changes the meaning of otherwise identical Navajo words.
What does clutch mean in this sentence? (V.1.3)
hold
purse
release
Read this sentence from paragraph 3:
He knew that the varying tones and complexity of the Navajo language make it very difficult for a non-Navajo to repeat even one word. Jones twisted his English-speaking tongue and contorted his mouth. (paragraph 3)
How does the use of the imagery impact the meaning of these lines? (R.3.1)
It emphasizes the ease of learning Navajo.
It emphasizes the challenge of speaking Navajo.
How does the author use a photograph to support the reader’s understanding of information in the passage?
The image provides background on how the Navajo communicated.
The image provides context for the Navajo Code Talkers within the war.
The image provides context for the code the Navajo used to name individuals.
Part A: What is the purpose of the section titled “Test Time”?
to describe the reactions people had to the messages the Navajo tribesmen communicated
to explain the many ways to assess the ability of the Navajo tribesmen and language as a military code
to explain the language tests the Navajo tribesmen had to take to qualify for this special assignment with the Marines
Which sentence best supports the answer to Part A?
“Between invasions, the Code Talkers convened to encode new battle terms.” (Paragraph 14)
“The Navajo code, officers said, proved ‘indispensable for the rapid transmission of classified dispatches.’” (Paragraph 12)
“Officers staged a race, pitting Code Talkers against a cylindrical cryptograph sending a message through the jungle.” (Paragraph 11)
Read excerpt from Paragraph 7.
The Navajo language contained no words for the horrors of war. Bomber, battleship, grenade—all were terms foreign to the Navajo. But in making their code, the Navajo soldiers rooted it, like their lives, in nature. They named military planes after birds. Gini, Navajo for “chicken hawk,” became “dive bomber.” Neasjah, meaning “owl,” meant “observation plane.” They named ships after fish. Lotso, meaning “whale,” was the code word for “battleship,” and beshlo—“iron fish”—meant “submarine.” (Paragraph 7)
How does the author use phrases like “no words for the horrors of war” and “Bomber, battleship, grenade—all were terms foreign” to explain the use of animals in the Navajo code? (R.2.3)
It shows how much the Navajo had to learn about the military.
It shows the skill the Navajo had in creating an unbreakable made-up language.
It shows how many new words the Navajo had to learn to do their job for the military.
Part A: Which statement best describes the author’s purpose for the text? (R.2.3)
To explain the challenges the Navajo Code Talkers faced in gaining respect.
To describe the value and talent of the Navajo Code Talkers as support for the Marines.
To describe the various battles that were won because of the Navajo Code Talkers involvement.
Part B: How does the author’s use of these quotations support the purpose chosen in Part A? (R.2.3)
The quotes highlight the importance of the Navajo in the success of military operations.
The quotes show the challenges faced by the Navajo in learning military terms.
The quotes describe the process of creating the Navajo code.
What is the effect of the metaphor “iron-jawed Marines” on paragraph 6?
It gives an example of the Navajo names created for the terms of war.
It describes what material was used to make the statue of the Navajo.
It shows how strong and ruthless the Marines were during World War II.
What might the word "transmit" mean based on its word parts?
Transmit
-Trans: Latin for "across, beyond"
-mittere- Latin for "to release, let go; throw"
sent
traveled
decoded
How does Text 1: “Birth of the Idea” address the topic of lack of war terms in the Navajo language differently than Text 2: “Human Code Machines”?
Text 1 mentions the lack of war terms as a barrier to be overcome.
Text 1 describes how the Navajo created code names for important people using their language.
Text 1 focuses on the emotional impact of creating the code.
The authors of “Birth of the Idea” and “Human Code Machines” both discuss the nature of the Navajo language. How do the two authors address the topic similarly?
Both articles describe the simple beauty of the Navajo language.
Both articles prove that the language was successful because only a few people are able to speak it.
Both articles argue that the Navajo language is the only one that could be used for this kind of code creation.
