The Sign of the Beaver Flashcards
Where does Matt and his family live when they are away from the cabin?
Matt and his family live in Quincy when they are away from the cabin
Why did Matt’s family get back to the cabin so late in the year?
because they all caught the typhus fever
What is the name of the person who saved Matt from the bees and the river?
The man who saved Matt from the bees and the river is named Saknis, and he is an Indian, who came with his grandson.
In return for saving Matt, what does Saknis ask Matt to do?
To teach Saknis’ grandson, Attean, the English language (or, in the Indian style, “White man’s signs”).
What book does Matt read from to Attean?
Robinson Crusoe.
What did Matt and Marie do to help Attean’s dog out of the white man’s trap?
They gave the dog a large chunk of meat, put a blanket over the dog’s head ( to stop it from biting at Matt as he released the dog from the white man’s trap), and released the dog.
What did the fox in the white man’s trap do to escape from it?
The fox tried to bit off his own leg to free himself.
What two gifts did Saknis give Matt?
A pouch of maple syrup from his wife, and a pair of snowshoes that he made himself.
What did Matt make for Sarah?
A corn husk doll.
What did Matt make for the baby?
A new cradle, but sadly, the baby died due to Typhus fever before Matt’s family left Quincy.
What type of wood did Attean tell Matt to make arrows out of?
Birch wood.
What animal did Attean and Matt kill?
A Bear.
Who stole Matt’s father’s rifle?
Ben.
How did Matt’s father tell him to count the days?
He told him to make notches on a stick to track time, seven notches per week.
What did Attean give Matt as a going away gift?
His dog.
How did Matt lose his boot?
He fell in the deep mud.
What did Matt say he should have made for his little sister Sarah?
A bow, but he made her a doll instead.
What animal did Matt throw at the bear to distract her?
Rabbit.
What tribal land was the dying fox on?
The Tribe of the Turtle.
What did Matt’s mom ask him to bring extra of?
Molasses.
Why didn’t Matt go with Attean’s tribe?
Because he wanted to tell Matt his dog was stuck in a trap.
What was the closest tribe to Attean’s animal symbol?
The Turtle.`
How old is Matt at the beginning of the story?
Twelve years old.
What skin is Matt’s moccasins made out of?
Moose hide.
What modern day state is Matt”s cabin in?
Maine.
In return for teaching Attean English, what does Matt get in return?
Attean teaches Matt strong hunting skills, and also how to move stealthily through the forest.
Why weren’t Attean and Matt supposed to kill the
bear?
Because the bear was a mother, and these Indians didn’t believe in killing female them.
Why did Matt’s dad leave him at the cabin?
So he could get his wife, daughter, and the baby.
Why did Attean’s tribe leave to go north.
To follow the Caribou, and because they knew that the white man was moving into their hunting area.
Who looted Matt’s cabin and dumped out his flour and meal, etc.?
Probably a bear, because Matt left the door open.
How did Attean kill animals without a gun?
He made a snare trap to kill animals, he taught Matt how to do this too.
What upset Attean in the Robinson Crusoe story?
When his native friend kneeled by his side and swore to be his slave.
What happened to Attean’s mother?
White men killed her for the price of her scalp.
Why is Attean leaving his home for a serious challenge?
Attean explains to Matt that he must go out alone in the wilderness and look for his manitou. Once he finds his manitou he may go out and hunt with the men.
How does Matt finally earned the respect of Attean?
He bravely stays in his home alone awaiting his family, even after Saknis offers to take him with the tribe in case his family never comes.
What was the first sign that Matt’s father displayed, showing Matt that he was worried about him?
He exchanged guns, giving Matt his more accurate one.
How did Attean show Matt how to find his way back home?
He showed him how he used signs of nature to indicate his path, a broken stick, an upturned stone, etc.
After Matt tells Attean the Noah’s Ark story, Attean tells Matt an Indian creation story about Gluskable, a mighty hunter. What did he create?
Gluskable is a powerful hunter who comes from the north, he made wind blow, created thunder, man, and animals.
