The Medicine Bag

In “The Medicine Bag,” why does Grandpa say he has arrived for a surprise visit with the family?

• He wants to see where his only existing descendants live, and he wants to give Martin the medicine bag.

• He feels that death is now very near, and he wants to be buried where his only existing relatives live.

• He wants to teach his grandchildren lessons that will help them respect the old ways.

• He wants to see his family in person to discuss the resentment he has felt for years.

In “The Medicine Bag,” why does Grandpa collapse after arriving at the house?

• He has been injured in an attack by dogs.

• He is shocked by life in the suburbs.

• He is overcome with grief.

• He has heat exhaustion.

In “The Medicine Bag,” why is the pouch referred to as a medicine bag?

• It holds rocks that carry magical energy.

• It holds leaves that can overcome sickness.

• It holds items that protect and guide the wearer.

• It holds powders needed in the work of a Lakota shaman.

In “The Medicine Bag,” before Grandpa comes to visit, how does the narrator feel about talking to his friends about his Lakota grandfather?

• He makes fun of how Grandpa dresses and where he lives to amuse his friends.

• He becomes angry when the other children make fun of Grandpa’s heritage.

• He likes the fact that his stories about Grandpa appeal to the other kids.

• He never reveals to his friends that Grandpa is a Lakota.

Which statement most clearly describes Martin in the early part of “The Medicine Bag”?

• Martin worries about his friends’ opinions.

• Martin is cruel and insensitive toward others.

• Martin appreciates and respects Grandpa’s behavior.

• He never reveals to his friends that Grandpa is a Lakota.

Which sentence from “The Medicine Bag” best supports the answer to question 8?

• Maybe we exaggerated and made Grandpa and the reservation sound glamorous….

• We usually had some authentic Lakota article to show our listeners.

• I watched the group as it slowly came closer and saw that in the center of the strange procession was a man wearing a tall black hat.

• His getup wasn’t out of place on the reservation, but it sure was here, and I wanted to sink right through the pavement.

At the end of “The Medicine Bag,” for which of the following is the medicine bag most clearly a symbol? Choose two options.

• Martin’s desire to please his friends

• Martin’s respect for his grandfather

• Martin’s dislike for his Lakota heritage

• Martin’s acceptance of his family heritage

• Martin’s feelings of embarrassment about Grandpa

As Grandpa explains in “The Medicine Bag,” how is the medicine bag to be passed down from generation to generation?

• only through chiefs

• only through males

• only through females

• only through firstborn children

In "The Medicine Bag," why does Grandpa collapse after arriving at the house?

• He has been injures in an attack by dogs.

• He is shocked by life in the suburbs.

• He is overcome with grief.

• He has heat exhaustion.

Which quotation from "The Medicine Bag" shows most clearly that Cheryl's reaction to Grandpa's visit differs from Martin's?

• My kid sister, Cheryl, and I always bragged about our Lakota grandpa, Joe Iron Shell.

• As we supported him up the steps, the door banged open and Cheryl came bursting out of the house.

• My friends kept asking to come see the old man, but I put them off. Nothing bothered Cheryl about bringing her friends to see Grandpa.