Copyright 1997

Created by Brian Thornton

Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA. POJ 1KO Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher All Rights Reserved

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The Curse of the Viking Grave

ISBN 0-7710-6680-5

Farley Mowat

Student Study Guide

1. Describe the 'classroom' where Angus Macnair is reading.
2. Who are the three boys?
3. Find the Orkney Islands in an atlas.
4. What is the Kensington Stone?
5. Many children who live in isolated regions are home schooled. Do you think you would like to be taught by your parents?  Explain.
6. List the advantages and disadvantages of being home schooled.

1. What is a fisher?
2. Why was everyone so excited when Angus related his news of the caribou?
3. What does Jamie say to tease Peetyuk about his new moccasins?
4. What sickness has reached the Chipeweyan camp?
5. Why do Alphonse Meewasin and Jamie stand thirty yards apart when they meet?
6. How do you think Jamie feels upon learning that he must return to The Pas?

1. Why does Jamie finally agree that it might be wise to return to their cabin?
2. What does Awasin mean when he says, "What use is a speech made of many words?"
3. Why is Angeline not worried about catching the sickness?
4. Why were Awasin and Jamie anxious to start trapping?

1. Why does Alphonse refuse to take good furs to the trading post?
2. What does the expression 'poker-faced' mean?
3. Why is Jamie worried about the police?
4. Give a couple of reasons why the move to Kasmere house proved to be a good one.
5. Why does Denikazi of the Chipeweyans suggest that the boys should use his birchbark canoes?
6. Why did Jamie insist that it was time for Angeline to leave?
7. Why are the boys frightened by the sound of the plane?

1. Why is this chapter entitled Flight to the North?
2. What precaution does Awasin suggest they take so as to avoid being found by the plane?
3. Explain why the cabin was deserted when the boys returned?
4. Who was Zabadees and what news did he bring to the boys?

1. The canoes weighed forty pounds. How much do modern canoes weigh?
2. What do you think Angeline might have whispered into her brother's ear?
3. What reason did Peetyuk have for choosing to tell the story of Kakumee?
4. Do you think Zabadees would sleep well that night? Why or why not?

1. Why was Jamie so concerned when he discovered that Zabadees had deserted them?
2. Why did Zabadees decide to leave the group?
3. Why might the warm weather become a problem?
4. Describe the scene when they came upon the caribou.

Chapter 8--Race Against Time

1. What is an inukok and what purpose do they serve?
2. Why was Awasin so concerned about the speed at which they were travelling?
3. Why does Peetyuk suggest they cache some of their supplies?
4. According to Awasin, what does the word Ayuskeemos mean?

Chapter 9--Ihalmiut Camps

1. Why did the trio come to a halt while Peetyuk continued into the camp?
2. Why is Jamie embarrassed when he attempts to shake the old man's hand?
3. Why were the Eskimos living in three separate camps?
4. What special foods did the Eskimos over their guests?
5. What special foods would you offer guests in your home?
6. Describe the scene at the Eskimo party?
7. According to Awasin, why did Indians seldom sing to the whiteman?
8. What instrument did Jamie attempt to imitate with his voice?

1. Why did Awasin tell his sister not to get the plates?
2. Why did the Eskimos not keep their dogs tied?
3. Some of the sleds were twenty feet long. Measure out this distance in your classroom.
4. Tell how the dogs were hitched differently and explain why this would not be wise in the forest country?
5. How many people were there at the central camp?
6. Describe the fearsome spectacle that they witnessed.

1. Describe the Eskimo diet.
2. What happened when Awasin made his first attempt at using the kayak?
3. What was the function of a "deer fence"?
4. Explain what type of decoys we use to trick animals.
5. Why did the Eskimos prefer to hunt the deer while they were in the water?
6. Why was Jamie surprised to see the crossbow?

1. How does Angeokuk describe the Vikings?
2. How did the Viking leader indicate that he came as friend rather than foe?
3. How do we know that Koonar was strong?
4. Why were the Innuit angry when the Inohowik decided to leave?
5. Why did Koonar refuse at first to show the Innuit how to make weapons?
6. Describe the horrific incident that occurred one day when most of the men had gone looking for musk ox?
7. Man often seeks revenge. What other animals seek revenge?

Chapter 13--A Change of Plan

1. Who does Jamie believe should help the Innuit if they are having serious problems?
2. What response do Peetyuk and Awasin have for Jamie's suggestion?
3. How does Jamie suggest they raise some money to help the Innuit?
4. What connection was there between the Stone House and the Man of Iron?

1. What are the reactions of Awasin and Peetyuk when Jamie tells them there is no such thing as ghosts?
2. What items do the boys select to leave at the gravesite?
3. Describe the items that Jamie finds inside the tomb?
4. Are you superstitious? List a couple of common superstitions?

1. Locate Churchill in an atlas.
2. Do you think it is wrong to dig up someone's remains?  Explain.
3. Would you like someone to dig up the remains of your deceased relatives and use them for archaeological research? Why or why not?
4. How do Jamie and Awasin defend their actions in removing items from Koonar's grave?
5. Why was Angeline so excited about the arrival of a strong north wind?

1. Why were only Peetyuk's friends and relations on hand when the group embarked?
2. What does Ohoto promise to do to Elaitutna should any harm come to the youngsters?
3. How was Pameo responsible for the death of many Eskimos?
4. Why were they forced to set up camp that night on a narrow strip of gravel?

Chapter 17--Anoeeuk

1. What does the word anoeeuk mean?
2. Why did Ohoto instruct everyone to place boulders in their canoes?

Chapter 18--The Deer's Way

1. Why was no effort made to shoot the deer?
2. How many times a year would the caribou migrate?
3. Why were the mosquitoes a problem that night?
4. What happened to the ground where the herds of caribou had trodden?
5. What did the mass of caribou do just as Jamie was certain that he would be trampled underfoot?

1. Describe Ohoto's reaction when he first sighted the huge river?
2. Why did Jamie refuse to even consider returning to the Eskimo camp?
3. Why did Ohoto not look back when he departed?
4. Mention a couple of things they did to cope with the black flies?
5. Why were they so happy to have the wind come up?

1. To his surprise what did Jamie discover when he chopped down the tree for firewood?
2. According to Awasin why were the wolves so willing to approach humans?
3. Why were none of the boys able to dive for the lost rifle?
4. Angeline could still drown although she was a good swimmer. Why?

1. List the wildlife they encountered.
2. Why were they surprised to see seals?
3. Why did Peetyuk not want anyone to touch the large sea-going canoe?
4. Describe the scene when they met the old Eskimo couple?

1. Why was it so helpful to have Mikkiluk accompany them?
2. What are the dimensions of Hudson Bay? How does it compare in size to Lake Ontario and the Mediterranean Sea?
3. Describe Joshua Fudge's appearance when they first saw him?
4. Locate Southampton Island in an atlas? How far is it from Churchill to Southampton Island?

1. How did Jamie suggest that Peetyuk save himself if the boat sank?
2. Describe the scene at Churchill.
3. Who was Mr. Armstrong?
4. What did the group of young people decide to do?

Vocabulary: void, dory, nautical, convalescent 

Enrichment: Pretend the publishers have asked you to write a sequel to this novel. Write a brief summary outlining the setting, plot and some of the characters.

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Copyright 1997

Created by:
Brian Thornton, Capo Creations, Box 1411, Haileybury, Ontario, CANADA POJ 1KO

Not to be used or copied in any manner without specific written consent of the publisher All Rights Reserved