Touching Spirit Bear Chapters 1-2 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Why is Cole Matthews banished to live alone on an island in Southeast Alaska for one year?

He beat up Peter because he snitched on him for robbing a store.

Why doesn't Cole trust Garvey, his parole officer?

He doesn't trust people that aren't afraid of him.

Why does Edwin, the Tlingit elder, require Cole to wear his clothing inside out?

They want to humiliate him & to make him realize he's not in control.

What is Cole's philosophy about fear?

Everyone is afraid of something. Signup and view all the answers

What does Cole learn from 'being referred' repeatedly, while being told each time that it is his 'last chance'?

He's been given a lot of chances. Signup and view all the answers

Why do you think counseling and threats have no effect on Cole?

They keep threatening him repeatedly. Signup and view all the answers

How does Cole describe his parents near the beginning of the story?

The dad is an alcoholic & the mom is a Barbie doll. Signup and view all the answers

Cole has a habit of blaming others for his mistakes. Give an example of this behavior.

If Peter would have been able to fight, he wouldn't have beat him up so bad. Signup and view all the answers

What is The Circle Justice?

A trial with Native Americans that helps change people's lives. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the first signs that Cole does not plan to honor his commitment to stay on the island for a year?

He makes a comment saying they're crazy having him sleep in the cabin. Signup and view all the answers

Living alone on an island off the coast of Alaska can be very dangerous. How does Edwin try to convince Cole of both the danger and Cole's personal responsibility for survival?

Edwin says 'If you eat you live', 'If you don't you die'. Signup and view all the answers

When Cole states that he is not afraid to die, does Edwin believe him? How do you know?

No, Edwin doesn't believe that he's not afraid to die. Signup and view all the answers

Edwin asks Cole how would you feel if a bear made its den beside the stream. Cole answers, 'I'd kill it.' What is Edwin's response?

Animals feel the same way. Signup and view all the answers

According to Edwin, what can be learned from the animals on the island?

Cole can learn strength, gentleness, honesty, & patience. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Spirit Bear?

A black bear that has white fur & lives in British Columbia. They provide pride, honor, & dignity. Signup and view all the answers

What does Edwin mean when he says, 'You live or die by your actions'?

Edwin means that your actions control your fate. Signup and view all the answers

Garvey gives Cole his at.o'ow. What is an at.o'ow, & what conditions come with it?

An at.o'ow is passed down from person to person. It's the person's responsibility to take care of it. Signup and view all the answers

Cole is very good at manipulation. Give an example from Chapter 2 that shows how Cole manipulates people.

Cole says things that make people believe him. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Cole burn down the shelter Edwin had made for him?

He hates his parents for sending him to the island. Signup and view all the answers

Using words or phrases from the text, describe Cole's personality.

Cole is cold-hearted, dangerous, rude, selfish, & has anger issues. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cole Matthews' Situation

Cole Matthews is banished to a Southeast Alaskan island for one year due to severely assaulting Peter, who testified against him for theft.
His background suggests that previous attempts at rehabilitation have failed.

Relationship with Garvey

Cole has a deep-seated distrust towards Garvey, his parole officer, believing that individuals who are not intimidated by him cannot be trusted.

Tlingit Cultural Practices

Edwin, a Tlingit elder, mandates that Cole wear his clothing inside out as a form of humiliation, aiming to strip him of a false sense of control.

Philosophy on Fear

Cole believes fear is universal; everyone harbors fears of some sort.

Consequences of Actions

Cole realizes the repeated references to having "one last chance" indicate that he has squandered numerous opportunities for redemption.

Ineffectiveness of Counseling

Counseling and threats have little impact on Cole due to their repetitive nature, which diminishes their effectiveness.

Family Background

Cole describes his father as an alcoholic and his mother as superficial, likening her to a "Barbie Doll," indicating an unstable family dynamic.

Blame Shifting

Cole exhibits a tendency to shift blame for his violent behavior, suggesting that Peter's inability to defend himself led to his severe beating.

Circle Justice

Circle Justice is a Native American restorative justice process aimed at transforming lives rather than punishing offenders.

Initial Defiance

Cole shows early signs of rebellion against his commitment by expressing disdain for being made to sleep in a cabin on the island.

Survival Lessons

Edwin imparts life lessons about survival, emphasizing that choices directly correlate with survival outcomes: "If You Eat You Live," and "If You Don't You Die."

Disbelief in Cole's Fearlessness

Edwin does not accept Cole’s claim of being unafraid of death, indicating skepticism about Cole's bravado.

Understanding Animal Behavior

When Cole expresses his intention to kill a bear that intrudes upon his space, Edwin highlights that animals possess emotions similar to humans.

Learning from Wildlife

Edwin encourages Cole to observe the animals on the island, suggesting they embody qualities such as strength, gentleness, honesty, and patience.

The Spirit Bear

The Spirit Bear is a rare black bear with white fur native to British Columbia, symbolizing pride, honor, and dignity.

Actions and Consequences

Edwin articulates that a person's fate is dictated by their actions, reinforcing the concept of personal responsibility.

At.o'ow Symbolism

Garvey presents Cole with an at.o'ow, a culturally significant item symbolizing responsibility and continuity among individuals.

Manipulative Behavior

Cole demonstrates manipulation by skillfully crafting statements to convince others of his perspective.

Destructive Behavior

In an act of rebellion, Cole burns down the shelter crafted by Edwin, stemming from his resentment towards his parents for sending him to the island.

Personality Traits

Cole is characterized by cold-heartedness, dangerous behavior, rudeness, selfishness, and significant anger issues, which define his interactions with others.

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Description

Test your understanding of the first two chapters of 'Touching Spirit Bear'. This quiz covers key events and character motivations, focusing on Cole Matthews and his journey toward healing. Ideal for students studying the novel in class or for personal review.