Maroo of the Winter Caves Vocabulary
On a separate sheet of college rule notebook paper complete the following assignment.
Skip lines between words and write clearly so this assignment can be used as a study
guide. This assignment should be placed in your orange Maroo portfolio.
Vocabulary: Find each of the following words in Maroo of the Winter Caves and read
the paragraph surrounding the word. For each vocabulary word, use context clues to
write a definition in your own words. Check the dictionary to verify your definition.
Be prepared to share your definition and be able to orally use it in a sentence that uses
the correct meaning. You may change the verb tense in your sentence.
Chapter 1-6
1. Bison (page 1)
2. Niche (page 1)
3. Migration (page 5)
4. Glacier (page 13)
5. Carcass (page 9)
6. Gorge (page 14)
7. Grubs (page 17)
8. Carnivore (page 20)
9. Ptarmigan (page 11)
10. Sledge (page 11)
11. Plait (page 32)
12. Subsided (page 29)
13. Skeptical (page 42)
Chapter 7-12
14. Plateau (page 46)
15. Regurgitated (page 50)
16. Contorted (page 63)
17. Maneuvered (page 60)
18. Foraging (page 72)
19. Encrusted (page 77)
20. Brandishing (page 84)
21. Solemn (page 87)
22. Ascent (page 93)
23. Apprehensive (page 90)
24. Taut page (102)
25. Crevasses (page 99)
26. Trekked (page 99)
Chapter 13-16
27. Meandered (page 106)
28. Blizzard (page 108)
29. Burrowing (page 114)
30. Vistas (page 122)
31. Monotony (page 122)
32. Sledge (page 133)
33. Captivated (page 133)
34. Intrigued (page 135)
Maroo of the Winter Caves Literary Response Questions
Write a small paragraph to answer each question. You must restate each question
and use examples from the story to support your answers.
1. What is the setting of the story? Be sure to include when and where.
2. Why does Maroo’s family travel?
3. Predict what Maroo’s family will face with the baby being born late summer.
4. Compare and contrast Areg and Vorka.
5. What characteristics would you give Maroo? Is she reliable? Responsible?
6. Briefly list the sequence of events to where you are in the novel.
7. What is the role of Old Mother?
8. Compare and contrast the roles of women and men of the Madeleine people.
9. What main conflict do the characters face? Refer to your literature textbook page
4 and 5.
10. What causes Areg to die? What effect does his death have on the family?
11. In chapter nine the author writes, “…the trail grew colder every day.” What does
this mean?
12. In chapter nine Sovi’s group does not wait for Maroo’s family. Why?
13. Maroo worried about whether Otak would obey her on the journey. Why?
14. How do you think Maroo and Otak felt when it was time to leave?
15. When Old Mother talks about spirits what is she talking about? Why does Maroo
think her father’s spirit is with her on page 103?
16. How do Maroo and Otak feel on pag106. Discuss at least two emotions.
17. What is the theme or author’s message of this novel?
18. Determine the point of view of the novel. Support your answer.