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 Legend of Tarik

Walter Dean Myers

Student Study Guide

Chapter One

1. How long is a generation?
2. Who was the prophet?
3. Name the members of Kwesi Ntah's family.
4. What is the nickname for Artia Akwara?
5. Find the Niger River in an atlas.
6. What happens to Kwesi Ntah and his family in this chapter?
7. Find the Strait of Gibraltar in an atlas?

1. List the two very different careers of Ovolli Docao?
2. What terrible things did El Muerte do to Ovolli Docao?
3. Relate some of Nongo's past?
4. How did the Nongo teach Tarik to master his anger?

Chapter Three

1. Where did the training of Tarik begin?
2. According to Nongo, how loud is the footstep of death?
3. What three things must a warrior be able to do if he is to survive?

Chapter Four

1. Who was Stria?
2. Why was Tarik happy that his sword had not been sharpened?
3. Who put an end to the match between Stria and Tarik?
4. Why does Tarik consider Docao as having a pale face?

1. Why did the tasks set for Tarik become less demanding?
2. What lesson was Tarik supposed to learn from the story of the sparrow and the snake?
3. What various things did the lady transform herself into while attempting to defeat Tarik?
4. Why did the thieves run from Tarik?
5. Why did Tarik's mother push him away after he had killed the hen?

1. Describe the beast that guards the Crystal of Truth.
2. What does Docao mean by the phrase, "…there are as many truths as there are eyes"?
3. What warns him of the beast's approach?
4. Why does he initially throw away the crystal?
5. What incident continues to prey on Tarik's mind?

1. Find the Nile River in an atlas.
2. According to Nongo who was Zinzinbadio?
3. What must Tarik do to capture this creature?
4. How did Nongo respond when Tarik asked him if he thought he was ready?

1. Docao informs Tarik that there is much weight upon his shoulders. What does he mean by this?
2. Both Docao and Tarik consider the evening storm an omen. Explain.
3. Who is the "horseman" that Tarik notices as he starts his journey?
4. Why is he so certain that the other rider is following him as he begins his journey?

Chapter Nine

1. Who was the royal family that employed El Muerte?
2. What was he employed to do?
3. Give proof that El Muerte intends to overthrow the royal family in the future.
4. Who is the black knight?
5. Who does El Muerte feel is responsible for his problems with the royal family?
6. Provide evidence of at least two instances in this chapter that prove how evil El Muerte is?

Chapter Ten

1. When Tarik met fellow travellers and shepherds they always praised El Muerte. Why?
2. Why is the young boy, Acinto, unhappy with El Muerte's men?
3. Why were there so few people in the town of Mentifsa the day Tarik arrived?
4. Why did El Muerte's soldiers beat Capa?
5. Describe the fight between Tarik and the soldiers.

Chapter Eleven

1. Why did Capa and Tarik leave the village before dawn?
2. Why did Capa begin to weep?
3. Why does Stria offer to return to the village for Capa?
4. How does Capa show that he is prejudiced towards blacks?

Chapter Twelve

1. What object did Stria bring to Capa when she returned from his village?
2. What news did she bring?
3. Describe how Stria saved Tarik's life.
4. Why did Stria pour wine on Tarik's wound?
5. What does Stria do for the first time that sends a chill over Tarik's body?

Chapter Thirteen

1. How do we know that some of the villagers are in awe of Tarik?
2. What evidence is there that Stria cares about Tarik?
3. Tarik always wishes to protect Stria. Do you think this is necessary? Why or why not?
4. How does Capa force the merchant to talk?
5. How do we know that El Muerte and his soldiers are genuinely concerned about Tarik's fighting ability?
6. Why would Tarik have a particular interest in the two men that El Muerte has taken as prisoners?
7. Why was it necessary to spend two full days at Idubeda?
8. Why does Tarik suspect that there are soldiers hiding behind the wall?

1. Why does Jad think that Tarik is a magician?
2. What does El Muerte say will be his strategy in attempting to catch Tarik?
3. How does El Muerte punish Docao and the horseman who had failed to catch Tarik?

1. Who is more patient--Stria or Tarik? Give proof.
2. What deed do the soldiers commit which demonstrates they are evil cowards?
3. What did Capa mean when he states that he has no desire to become a saint?
4. What might El Muerte be anticipating when he utters the words, "Is there no one to stand against me?"
5. Why did Nongo pour his blood from one cupped hand to another?

1. Tarik hatches a plan but the author does not reveal it to the reader. Why?
2. What is a cubit and why is it no longer used?
3. Word of the burying box is quick to reach El Muerte. Do you think that Tarik is disappointed that the villagers have not kept it a secret as requested?
4. Briefly outline El Muerte's plan to kill the "black knight".

1. As the author describes the battle who appears to be the stronger of the two combatants?
2. Are you surprised as to who is victorious? Explain.
3. Briefly describe the different characters of Stria and Tarik keeping in mind what they feel should happen to Jad?
4. What eventually happens to Jad? Who has made this decision?

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