What did Ernie think about Ta-Na-E-Ka?

It was a pretty silly thing to do to a child.

He made Mary call home because her parents were worried.

He encouraged her to go back and finish Ta-Na-E-Ka.

He lived by the reservation, so he was used to the Ta-Na-E-Ka ritual.

Read the statement below. “ My grandfather had said the experience would be filled with adventure, and I was having my fill. And Grandfather never said we couldn’t accept hospitality.” These thoughts reveal that Mary….

Is clever in making excuses for what she knows is wrong

Is a rebellious and defiant young girl

Grandpa does not know how to make himself clear.

Is planning on working for Ernie at the marina

PART A Read the following passage below. I stayed at Ernie’s Riverside for the entire period. In the mornings I went into the woods and watched the animals and picked flowers for each of the tables in Ernie’s. I had never felt better. I was up early enough to watch the sunrise on the Missouri, and I went to bed after it set. I ate everything I wanted- insisting that Ernie take all my money for the food. “I’ll keep this in trust for you, Mary,” Ernie promised, “in case you are ever desperate for five dollars.” (He did, too, but that’s another story.) I was sorry when the five days were over. I’d enjoyed every minute with Ernie. He taught me how to make a western omelet and to make Chili Ernie Style (still one of my favorite dishes). And I told Ernie all about the legends of the Kaw. I hadn’t realized I knew so much about my people. Which of the following best describes the central idea of the passage?

Mary learns the White Man’s ways from her friend Ernie.

Mary takes her five dollars back home.

PART B Which detail from the passage best supports the answer to Part A?

He taught me how to make western omelets and to make Chili Ernie Style.

“I’ll keep this in trust for you, Mary,” Ernie promised, “in case you are ever desperate for five dollars.”

In the mornings I went into the woods and watched the animals and picked flowers for each of the tables in Ernie’s.

And I told Ernie all about the legends of the Kaw.

Mary’s ability to survive Ta-Na-E-Ka in her own way shows.

She had bright ideas and used them while keeping the tradition.

She rebelled against tradition and made fun of the Kaw.

She no longer wanted to be a Kaw.

She could never have survived a real Ta-Na-E-Ka.

Which two answers below best describe the reaction Mary’s family had when they learned about her Ta-Na-E-Ka?

At first, her aunt and uncle were hostile.

Grandpa accepted her Ta-Na-E-Ka.

They told her she would have to re-do Ta-Na-E-Ka.

They laughed at how she had stayed at the marina.

My mother and father and aunt and uncle were all dumbfounded.

Part A Which statement best expresses the theme of Ta-Na-E-Ka?

Adapting or changing old traditions is acceptable.

It is important to always listen to your grandparents.

Surviving in the wild is difficult.

Loyalty and courage are the most important characteristics.

Part B Which statement best reflects the theme for the statement chosen above?

“Grandfather, I learned that Ta-Na-E-Ka is important. I didn’t think so during training. I was scared stiff of it. I handled it my way. And I learned I had nothing to be afraid of.”

“My grandfather was in the front room. He was wearing the ceremonial beaded deerskin shirt which had belonged to his grandfather.”

“You should have done what your cousin did. But I think you are more alert to what is happening to our people today than we are.”

“Grandfather wasn’t entirely right. But I’ll tell about that another time.”

Which two details would be most important to include in a summary of the story?

“Grandfather, I learned that Ta-Na-E-Ka is important. I didn’t think so during training. I was scared stiff of it. I handled it my way. And I learned I had nothing to be afraid of.”

“My grandfather had said the experience would be filled with adventure, and I was having my fill.”

“Accountants just have to be good at arithmetic.”

“I was so sorry when the five days were over. I’d enjoyed every minute with Ernie.”

“I was inwardly shocked at my own audacity. But I liked it. Grandfather, I’ll bet you never ate one of those rotten berries yourself.”

Ta-Na-E-Ka Test Quiz

1.

MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

The author suggests that children who returned from Ta-Na-E-Ka possess certain qualities.

Which two sentences from the passage best support the above statement?

“Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indian,” my grandfather explained.

“We couldn’t return until the white had worn off.”

“Mothers were not allowed to weep over those who didn’t return.”

“Many didn’t return,” Grandfather said. “Only the strongest and shrewdest.”

“If a Kaw couldn’t survive, he or she wasn’t worth weeping over.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

2.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Read the sentence from page 48, line 59.

“Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indians,” my grandfather explained.

What does the word “loftiest” mean as it is used in this sentence?

Imposing height

Noblest

Thick and resilient

Overbearing manner

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

3.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Which line best supports the author’s idea that Mary has no intention of living on the reservation or continuing her Kaw traditions?

“As my birthday drew closer, I had awful nightmares about it.”

“I even complained to my teacher, Mrs. Richardson, feeling that, as a white woman, she would side with me.”

“My fantasies were about knights in armor and fair ladies in flowing gowns being saved from dragons.”

“And girls, as well as boys, were required to undergo Ta-Na-E-Ka.”

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

4.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

What conclusions can be drawn about Mary borrowing five dollars from her teacher?

It showed that Mary had a survival plan for Ta-Na-E-Ka.

Mary could take care of herself.

Mary was trustworthy in borrowing money from someone else.

All of the above

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

5.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

As my birthday drew closer, I had awful nightmares about it. I was reaching the age at which all Kaw Indians had to participate in Ta-Na-E-Ka. Well, not all Kaws. Many of the younger families on the reservation were beginning to give up the old customs. But my grandfather, Amos Deer Leg, was devoted to tradition. He still wore handmade beaded moccasins instead of shoes and kept his iron-gray hair in tight braids. He could speak English, but he spoke it only with white men. With his family, he used a Sioux dialect.
Grandfather was one of the last living Indians (he died in 1953, when he was eighty-one) who actually fought against the U.S. Calvary. Not only did he fight, but he was also wounded in a skirmish at Rose Creek- a famous encounter in which the celebrated Kaw chief Flat Nose lost his life. At the time, my grandfather was only eleven years old.

PART A: Which important idea does the author develop in the paragraphs above?

Ta-Na-E-Ka is an unfair ritual that is feared by all Kaw children.

Grandfather was a warrior at only eleven years old.

Younger families on the reservation were smart enough to do away with outdated traditions.

Grandfather was proud of his heritage and committed to continuing the traditions of the Kaw.

Tags

CCSS.RI.2.1

CCSS.RI.3.1

CCSS.RL.1.1

CCSS.RL.2.1

CCSS.RL.3.1

6.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Which sentence uses the word “skirmish” correctly?

The countries had a huge skirmish.

When the librarian wasn’t looking, the children had a short skirmish over a book.

The mouse was a skirmish with people.

The vomit in the hall made me skirmish.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RL.6.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

7.

MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

The author suggests that children who returned from Ta-Na-E-Ka possess certain
qualities.

Which two sentences from the passage best support the above statement?

“Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indian,” my grandfather explained.

“We couldn’t return until the white had worn off.”

“Mothers were not allowed to weep over those who didn’t return.”

“Many didn’t return,” Grandfather said. “Only the strongest and shrewdest.”

“If a Kaw couldn’t survive, he or she wasn’t worth weeping over.”

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.6

CCSS.RL.8.3

8.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1 min • 1 pt

Read the sentence from page 48, line 59.

“Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indians,” my grandfather explained.

What does the word “loftiest” mean as it is used in this sentence?

Imposing height

Noblest

Thick and resilient

Overbearing manner

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.4

CCSS.RI.7.4

CCSS.RI.8.4

CCSS.RL.7.4

CCSS.RL.8.4

9.

MULTIPLE SELECT QUESTION

45 sec • 1 pt

Many of these sentences would be good to include in a summary. Pick the two sentences you should not include.

At age eleven, the Kaw go through ta-na-e-ka, a test of outdoor endurance and survival.

After a month of training, Mary and Roger are sent into the wilderness to survive for five days.

Mary tasted a bitter berry she found. She spit it out and a rabbit ate it.

Grandfather taught us how to eat a grasshopper.

Grandfather is initially upset that she survived without struggling, he then accepts her resourcefulness.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

10.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

3 mins • 1 pt

PART A
Read this selection from “Ta-Na-E-Ka”.

“What are you doing here, kid?” It was a man’s voice. It was morning. I’d overslept. I
was scared. “Hold it, kid. You lost? You must be from the reservation. Your folks must be worried sick about you. Do they have a phone?” Ernie, the owner, asked. “Yes,” I answered. “But don’t call them.” I shook with cold. The man made me hot chocolate. I told him why I was on my own.

“I’ve lived by the reservation all my life. I never heard of this test before. Pretty silly thing to do to a kid,” he said. I’d thought that for months. But when he said it, I got angry. “It isn’t silly. Kaws have done this for hundreds of years. All my family went through this test. It’s why the Kaw are great warriors.” “OK, great warrior,” he laughed. “You can stay if you want.” He tossed me clothes that people had left on boats. “Find something to keep you warm.”

Why is Mary angry when Ernie says Ta-Na-E-Ka is silly?

She is tired of all his jokes and questions.

She realizes he hates the Kaw and their customs.

He has insulted her heritage and she realizes that she is proud of being a Kaw.

Mary never thought Ta-Na-E-Ka was silly.

Tags

CCSS.RL.2.10

CCSS.RL.2.2

CCSS.RL.2.3

CCSS.RL.4.3

CCSS.RL.4.4

Ta-Na-E-Ka Test

21 questions

The author suggests that children who returned from Ta-Na-E-Ka possess certain qualities.

Which two sentences from the passage best support the above statement?

Read the sentence from page 48, line 59.

“Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indians,” my grandfather explained.

What does the word “loftiest” mean as it is used in this sentence?

Which line best supports the author’s idea that Mary has no intention of living on the reservation or continuing her Kaw traditions?

What conclusions can be drawn about Mary borrowing five dollars from her teacher?

Which sentence uses the word “skirmish” correctly?

The author suggests that children who returned from Ta-Na-E-Ka possess certain
qualities.

Which two sentences from the passage best support the above statement?

Read the sentence from page 48, line 59.

“Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indians,” my grandfather explained.

What does the word “loftiest” mean as it is used in this sentence?

Many of these sentences would be good to include in a summary. Pick the two sentences you should not include.

Create a free account and access millions of resources

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Ta-Na-E-Ka Test

21 questions

The author suggests that children who returned from Ta-Na-E-Ka possess certain qualities. Which two sentences from the passage best support the above statement?

Read the sentence from page 48, line 59. “Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indians,” my grandfather explained. What does the word “loftiest” mean as it is used in this sentence?

Which line best supports the author’s idea that Mary has no intention of living on the reservation or continuing her Kaw traditions?

What conclusions can be drawn about Mary borrowing five dollars from her teacher?

Which sentence uses the word “skirmish” correctly?

The author suggests that children who returned from Ta-Na-E-Ka possess certain qualities. Which two sentences from the passage best support the above statement?

Read the sentence from page 48, line 59. “Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indians,” my grandfather explained. What does the word “loftiest” mean as it is used in this sentence?

Many of these sentences would be good to include in a summary. Pick the two sentences you should not include.

Create a free account and access millions of resources

Similar Resources on Wayground

Popular Resources on Wayground

Discover more resources for English

The author suggests that children who returned from Ta-Na-E-Ka possess certain qualities.

Which two sentences from the passage best support the above statement?

Read the sentence from page 48, line 59.

“Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indians,” my grandfather explained.

What does the word “loftiest” mean as it is used in this sentence?

The author suggests that children who returned from Ta-Na-E-Ka possess certain
qualities.

Which two sentences from the passage best support the above statement?

Read the sentence from page 48, line 59.

“Endurance is the loftiest virtue of the Indians,” my grandfather explained.

What does the word “loftiest” mean as it is used in this sentence?