The Barren Grounds

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

PART 1

Reading Check

1. How many foster homes has Morgan been in?

2. What does Mrs. Edwards tell Morgan about her poem?

3. What happens when Morgan hangs up Eli’s picture in the attic?

4. When she wakes up in the middle of the night, where does Morgan realize Eli has gone?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Morgan react at breakfast and what can be inferred from her reaction?

2. How does Eli show that the drawing pad is very important to him? When the drawing pad gets ruined, how does Eli react and why?

3. What does Morgan ask Emily to help her get, and what does this reveal about Morgan?

4. How do Katie and Morgan become closer?

Paired Resource

“What Is White Savior Complex and Why Is It Harmful?”

• Health’s article comments on some history of “white saviorism,” harmful effects, and how to prevent it. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing due to complexity and maturity.)
• This discussion connects with the novel’s theme of Consequences of the White Savior Complex.
• Teacher-led discussion with students might explore the notion of helpfulness and what it means to strongly consider the perspective of others.

“Reducing the Number of Indigenous Children in Care”

• This resource from the Government of Canada presents a summary and additional links about improvements in child and family services and ultimately a reduced number of Indigenous children who need services. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing without teacher guidance due to complexity and maturity.)
• The information in this article connects to the theme Remembering Who You Are.
• Teacher-led discussion with students might explore how foster care has affected Morgan and Eli.

PART 2

Reading Check

1. Who saves Morgan?

2. In what dialect of Cree is Eli fluent?

3. What does Ochek ask of the Council?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How do Eli and Morgan disagree about Misewa?

2. Why must Ochek, Eli, and Morgan leave early for hunting?

3. How does Arik join the group?

PART 3

Reading Check

1. On their way to the Green Time, what tracks does the group find?

2. What lives in the northern wood?

3. Who saves Mahihkan?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What can be inferred from Morgan’s dreams?

2. How do the friends mark the transition from the White Time to the Green Time on their journey?

Paired Resource

“Protecting Our Planet Starts With You”

• The National Ocean Service offers this infographic and accompanying list of ways to help the Earth.
• This information represents the theme Caring for the Earth.
• What other actions do the characters take to protect the environment?

PART 4

Reading Check

1. Who gets injured during the escape with the birds?

2. What has happened to the ice bridge?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Once they get the summer birds, why doesn’t the group let them go right away?

2. How and why does the Creator reward Ochek?

3. How does Mahihkan demonstrate he has changed?

Paired Resource

“Young Climate Activists Demand Action and Inspire Hope”

• UNICEF’s resource highlights young people from different parts of the world who are taking actions for the environment.
• This article connects with the themes Caring for the Earth and Remembering Who You Are.
• How does the work these activists are doing connect to Misewa?

PART 5-EPILOGUE

Reading Check

1. Where will Arik live now?

2. What is the title of Morgan’s poem?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. When do Morgan and Eli plan to return to Misewa? How much time will have passed for those there?

2. What does Morgan’s grade on her poem symbolize?

Paired Resource

“On Those Days”

• This poem by Donna Ashworth and translated by Solomon Ratt (th-dialect), found on Cree Literacy Network, focuses on missing a loved one and loving oneself.
• Theme connections include Remembering Who You Are.
• What might this poem mean to Morgan and Eli?

Recommended Next Reads 

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

• Twelve-year-old Edie finds a box of letters and a picture of her aunt, which leads to discoveries about her family and identity.
• Shared themes include Remembering Who You Are and Caring for the Earth.
• Shared topics include family, adoption, culture, the past, courage, questions, friends, and trust.    
• I Can Make This Promise on SuperSummary

The Great Bear by David Alexander Robertson

• As they face personal challenges at home, Eli and Morgan return to Misewa and realize their friends there need them.
• Shared themes include Remembering Who You Are and Caring for the Earth.
• Shared topics include time travel, magic, home, family, friends, culture, the past, decisions, journey, and courage.
• The Great Bear on SuperSummary