The World on the Turtle’s Back

The Iroquois use the ideas in this myth to —

• explain how natural phenomena came to be
• describe why animals are important to people
• explain the complexities of human relationships
• describe the reasons people use different hands

The storytellers most likely include both the right- and the left-hand twin in the myth to —

• explain why the Iroquois believe everyone’s personality is similar

• explore Iroquois relationships between parents and children

• demonstrate Iroquois ideas about different facets of human nature
• describe the Iroquois practices for overcoming sibling rivalry

From the description of the muskrat in paragraph 11, the reader can infer that —

• the other animals had little faith he could complete the task
• he had greater stamina and perseverance than the other animals
• he would benefit more than the other animals from retrieving the dirt
• the other animals cared little about the woman and her troubles

Read the following dictionary entry.

quiver \kwĭv´ər\ v 1. to shake with a small, quick motion n 2. a small trembling movement; usually caused by emotion 3. a case used by an archer to hold and carry supplies 4. a collection or store

Which definition best matches the use of the word quiver in paragraph 14?

• Definition 1
• Definition 2
• Definition 3
• Definition 4

Paragraphs 21–22 contribute to the theme of a balance between good and evil by —

• comparing the ways in which animals prey on each other

• contrasting the actions of each twin against the other
• exploring the changing relationships among animals, plants, and humans

• explaining the significance of human and animal behaviors to the world

Read the dictionary entry.

doctor \dŏk´tər\ v 1. to revise material for purposes of improvement 2. to tamper with
3. to heal n 4. a scholar and teacher

Which definition most closely matches the way the word doctoring is used in paragraph 22?

• Definition 1
• Definition 2
• Definition 3
• Definition 4

Read paragraph 38 of the selection.

In the daytime, the people have rituals which honor the right-handed twin. Through the
daytime rituals, they thank the Master of Life. In the nighttime, the people dance and sing
for the left-handed twin.

This paragraph suggests that the Iroquois people —

• believe in the existence of good and evil
• respect the balance of nature
• fear possibilities of danger at night
• revere one twin over the other

Read this sentence about the selection.

This creation myth helps the Iroquois people understand who they are.

What is the best way to rewrite this sentence so that it includes a reflexive pronoun?

• This creation myth helps the Iroquois people understand themselves.

• This creation myth helps the Iroquois people understand others.

• This creation myth helps the Iroquois people understand them.

• This sentence already contains a reflexive pronoun.  

11 “The World on the Turtle’s Back” is a creation myth. Based on the title and the genre, what can the reader expect to occur in the myth before reading? How can the reader confirm the prediction? Use details from the myth in your response.

12 What actions of the right-handed twin contribute to the theme that there is no true good or evil? Cite evidence from the selection to support your answer.