The Iroquois Creation Myth: "The World on Turtle's Back" — Quiz
Question 6 • English III
Read this excerpt from "The World on Turtle's Back." The animals thought that perhaps there was dirt at the depths of the ocean, but they had never tried to reach the bottom before. One by one they tried to swim down, but their attempts were futile. Finally, the muskrat disappeared into the cold depth of the ocean. After a lengthy amount of time, he drifted to the surface with a tiny speck of earth in his hand. He appeared to be dead, but the animals prayed and chanted, and finally he stirred. The Earth-Diver was successful in bringing forth the soil to make the earth grow. Which sentence from the excerpt best supports the idea that the muskrat was willing to sacrifice himself for the good of all?
Answer
A
Finally, the muskrat disappeared into the cold depth of the ocean.
B
After a lengthy amount of time, he drifted to the surface with a tiny speck of earth in his hand. He appeared to be dead. . . .
C
[T]he animals prayed and chanted, and finally he stirred.
D
The Earth-Diver was successful in bringing forth the soil to make the earth grow.
Explanation
The detail that the muskrat returned after a long time and “appeared to be dead” shows that diving for the soil put his life at risk. His willingness to endure that danger to bring back earth supports the idea that he was ready to sacrifice himself for everyone’s benefit. Choice A shows that he dove deep, but B makes the danger to his life clearer.
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