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Questions: 1/16/12 Preface 1. What were the Chinese crews working on? __The Chinese crews were working on trying to build a railroad that will join the Western half of America to the Eastern half of America.__ 2. Tell me about the Manchus group from China. __The Manchus were a group or a gang or a barbarian tribe that was in control of the kingdom for more then 200 years and whenever somebody rebelled aganist them the Manchus would CRUSH them just like they did to the rebellions Taiping and Red Turban.__ 3. Who were the "Strangers" and what did they do? __The Strangers were a group of people who help the Manchus get the information and their weapons so they helped them defeat two different rebellions the Taiping and then the Red Turban__ 4. Why were many people from China coming to the United States? __They were coming to the United States because the manchus were killing everyone that were known as Strangers and so China was in a great surpression.__

Chapter 1 1. Why was Otter able to leave school? What made him so special? __Otter was able to leave school because his Father and Uncle had arrived back from America and he was so special because his family have been donating money to Uncle Blacky's new School and his family have subscribed most of it.__ 2. Why was Stumpy hit across the palm? __Stumpy was hit across the palm because he wasn't acting like a gentlemen like Otter was__. 3. Why did Uncle Bucky treat Otter like a "pet?" __He treats Otter like a pet because his family has been giving Uncle Blacky the most amount of money for the new school so he feels like he should treat Otter more special then the others because his family gave him money for the new school.__ 4. What was the "work" that mother was talking about? __The work that she was talking about was everyone defeating the Manchus so China could live in peace again.__ 5. Who was Uncle Foxfire and what was he famous for? __Uncle Foxfire was famous for making sacrifices for the town so without him the whole town would be starving.__ 6. Why do you think the village is making a big deal about Otter's father and uncle coming back home? __They are making a big deal because those are some of the only people that went to the golden mountain or America and they are heros to the villiage because of their sacrifices they made and then they come back from across the ocean from America.__

Chapter 2 1. What happened to the Golden Cat? __Since Golden Cat was one of the richest people in the land he probably got to greedy and spent his money on useless stuff and then became poor.__ 2. Why does Otter want to go to the Golden Mountain? __Otter wants to go to the Golden Mountain because it would be heaven for him to stay just with his father and his Uncle Foxfire and it would be a great Adventure.__ 3. Why didn't Otter give Stumpy's mother a bowl of rice? __He didn't give Stumpy's mother a bowl of rice because she was an addicted to drugs and wanted free rice from someone so I would probably not give her it.__ 4. What is the problem so far in this story? __The problem in the story so far is that Otter wants to go to America with his father and his uncle but he doesn't know if his father and uncle are going back or if they are retiring.__ Chapter 3 1. Why was the family celebrating and having a banquet? __Because Father and Uncle Foxfire just came home from years and years in the Golden Mountain and this the first time in years they get to see the whole family.__ 2. Who is the "Watch?" __Watch is a group of people who block out and take away the people who are addicted to the british opium.__ 3. Why did the group of beggars come in and interrupt the party? __Because all of the beggers were addicted to drugs sowhen they were addicted to opium they wanted more money to by drugs and since they was a lot of people at the banquet they figured they could get a lot of money or at least some money.__ 4. What was the uncle's plan to keep the British and opium out of China? __His plan was to stop the sell of opium here in China and then when the British come back to sell their opium the Chinese have weapons to defend themselves from the British opium.__ 5. Why was father called a clown and Uncle Foxfire called a prophet? __Otters father is called a clown because he always makes people laugh and his face is funny and Uncle Foxfire is called a prophet because he helped save three willows villiage.__ 6. Why does Otter want to follow his father and uncle? __He wants to follow his father and uncle because over there in Califorina it could be adventures and he thinks it would be a good experience and everybody would be like here comes Otter the great he saved us from the Manchus.__ 7. Why do you think the mother might listen to Uncle Foxfire more than Otter and his father? __Because she needs to have otter home so that's why it can't be Otter and his dad might be to comical and Uncle Foxfire is always so serious and and always so reapeatful__ 8. What do you think is the main idea of this chapter? __The main idea for this chapter I think is Otter trying__ __to get to the Golden Mountain but his mom won't let him go with his Father and Uncle.__ Chapter 4 1. What was the main idea of this chapter? __The main idea for chapter four is that Otter was trying to get his mom to let him go to the Golden Mountain but then she gave him a choice to go to the Golden Mountain but then Otter turned it down.__ 2. What questions do you have from chapter 4? __Why was Otter's mom so harsh to father and Uncle Foxfire when they didn't drop the subject of leaving for the Golden Mountain.__

Chapter 5 1. How does a goldfish turn into a dragon? __Well to make a wish in the Dragon's gate you have to flip a coin well maybe a goldfish's dream to become the dragon so when they swim in the cave that would be a coin then they think of becoming a dragon then they become a dragon.__ 2. What happened to the drunken Manchus and Otter? __The drunken Manchus were searching around for Otter because Otter accidently killed one of the Manchus and Manchus wanted revenge on Otter but they couldn'____t find him.__ Chapter 6 1. What did it mean when mother told Otter that he was, "neither Stranger nor Young?" __She mean't that since he wasn't born into this family he lives now so Otter isn't a Young but since now he is part of this family he isn't a Stranger anymore.__ 2. Describe Otter's birth mom and dad? What were they like? How did they die? __Otter's birth mom and dad were very talkative and his father was very tall and his mom died by trying to protect Otter and his dad died by giving his life for his friends.__ 3. Why is it not safe for Otter to remain at home? __It is not safe for Otter to stay at home because since he killed a Manchu he will now be an outlaw in three willows village.__ 4. What does it mean when it says, "Tiny never lived long enough to see ice?" __He always wanted to see ice so if he worked really hard he could possibly go up north and see ice so that might have happened if he didn't die.__ 5. Why does mother want Otter to study father's letters as if his life depended on it? __So then when he gets to the Golden Mountain he knows what to do and what not to do and where to go and where not to go.__ 6. Who do you think the woman is at the end of this chapter? Why is the wind howling, "Don't go, don't go?" __I think that lady is Otter's real mom and the wind was howling that because Otter's real mom was a ghost so that could've been her speaking to Otter.__

Chapter 7 1. Why did Otter and Brush get into a fight? __They got into a fight because Brush looked like he was going to steal something from Otter so then Otter did some self defense moves that he learned from his mom.__ 2. How did the westerners make the goldfields into wastelands? __They turned it into wastelands because they were only interested in the gold so they just destroyed the land.__ 3. Where were Shifty, Brush and Otter going? __Shifty,Brush and Otter were going to the top of a mountain.__ 4. How does Otter think he might find father and his uncle? __He might think that because he followed his father's friends instructions so then with those instructions Otter thought that he would find his Father and Uncle Foxfire.__

Chapter 8 1. Who are the demons that they are talking about in this chapter? __The demon in this chapter was the sledge and it's driver because they were so cruel and hard.__ 2. What was so useful about this snowplow? __The snowplow was useful because then you couldpush the snow away from the tracks.__ 3. How did Sean save Otter? __Sean saved Otter by grabbing the rice bag that Otter was holding onto so when Sean saved the rice bag he saved Otter.__ 4. Describe the camp. __The camp is very small like a baby elephant very dirty like a a pig who roled in mud all day and the houses are crowded like the parking lot in miller park and it gets snowed on a lot because of the blizzard seems d____eserted.__ Chapter 9 1. Why did Shrimp speak to them in rhymes? __To make them feel like they are home back in China.__ 2. What did it mean when father said, "you hopped out of the soup pot and into the fire?" __It meant that you left the good life and went into the horrible life.__ 3. Describe Otter in this chapter. How is he changing from the beginning of the book? __He's changing because in the beginning of the book he really didn't stand up for himself but now he's acting like Uncle Foxfire by protesting.__ 4. What do you predict will happen next? __I will predict that Otter will meet Uncle Foxfire then go to his group to work but then he doesn't know how to worf the tools so then he will get maded fun of.__

Chapter 10 1. What did father mean when he said that, "Victory is 20 centimeters a shift?" __It means that each shift you work it would be just pure luck if pound 20 centimeters of rock out.__ 2. What is the point that they are talking about? Why does no one like working at the point? __The point is where it is the darkest, stinkest and the coldest place there so if you work there you would like almost freeze to death.__ 3. On page 110, it says that uncle was arguing "vehemently," what does this mean? __It means to do something in a loud nasty voice.__ 4. Who is Strobridge and Kilroy? __Strobridge and Kilroy are like the leaders of the whole railroad track building.__ 5. So what half-truths is Uncle Foxfire talking about? __That he argues his point, about the fire wagon and the other marvels, they fought a wholr war and all of the people here are free and equal.__ 6. Why is Otter so upset at the end of this chapter? __Otter is so upset because he believed everything his Uncle said but he lied and he thought he was the top dog but he isn't.__

Chapter 11 1. What happened to Shaky? __He remembers what happened on that day and on that day that explosion might have caused something to his brain or maybe he just got out of the cave when it exploded.__ 2. What is a "greenhorn?" __A greenhorn is someone making a stupid or useless joke.__ 3. Why did father slap Otter's wrist? __He slaped his wrist because Otter was about to eat snow but he slapped his hand to get rid of the snow because if he ate it he would be sick and might die.__ 4. Explain the ending of this chapter. __The end of this chapter is that Otter tries to work but he fails and then when he goes to get a drink of water it spills all over him so then Shrimp says you have alot to learn meatball and meatball means rookie.__ Chapter 12 1. How can you not like each other but still be an efficient crew? __It means that you don't have to work together but you can still get the job done by yourself.__ 2. What were the holes for? __They were for putting in dynamite to blow further into the mountain.__ 3. What was meant when they said, "Fire in the heading?" __It meant that there was going to be an explosion in the cave__. 4. What was meant when father said to Otter, "Don't be a martyr?" __It probably meant don't be an idiot.__ 5. Why did Kilroy call Uncle Foxfire, "John?" __He called him that because for him it would be impossible to learn everyone's name so he justs calls people John.__

Chapter 13 1. What did Uncle Foxfire mean when he said that Otter looked at the world as black and white but he looked at it in shades of gray? __If the world is black and white they might get a job so they keep trying but if you look as the world in gray you don't do your best work.__ 2. Who is the Tiger? __The tiger is the mountain that they are working on.__ 3. Why is it so important that Otter get some sort of hobby? __Its important because then he could trade the stuff he has been collecting for some money.__ 4. What are the three rules the cabin chose to live by? __They are keep warm,keep dry and keep clean.__ 5. Why didn't Uncle Foxfire or father help Otter? __Because if they did they would be showing favorites and if they did do that they would have been beaten up.__ 6. Who is Sean? Why did he say, " 'Tis he that's the lucky one?" __He said that because since he's dead he doesn't have to go through this cold and uncleanleness.__ 7. Explain the last paragraph of this chapter - what did it mean? __He's talking about the Dragon's gate and that crazy tour guide and it mean's that even though you want it you don't have to get it.__

Chapter 14 1. What does it mean when Uncle Foxfire referred to all westerners as "equal?" __All westerners have equal rights and they all are equal in being horrible.__ 2. Why did Otter run his arm through the bucket of tea? __He did that so then he could get warmed up.__ 3. Why was Otter supposed to stay away from Sean? __Because Sean was a westerner and Otter was a T'ang.__ 4. Why is Otter determined to disobey his father? __Because he couldn't keep him from his best friend.__ Chapter 15 1. Who was Sean fighting and what was the fight about? __Sean was fighting a man from the mess crew because the man was teasing him and called sean a name.__ 2. Why did Kilroy tell the guy that it was ok to fight his son? He __said that because if he said no people thought that he was over protective and beat him up.__ 3. On page 171 Otters states that he was, "preparing for a tirade," what did he mean? __He meant he was going to make a difference.__ 4. Why did Otter's father say he was sorry to his son? __He said know it's my turn to be sorry.__

Chapter 16 1. Why did Otter want to talk to Bright Star about his plan to help Doggy? __Because Bright star is the most stubbon so if he can convince him everybody else would be convinced.__ 2. Why did Bright Star decide that Otter should give Doggy the moon guitar? __Because it was his idea and he was the closest to Doggy.__

Chapter 17 1. What was the irony of Doggy getting frostbite on his fingers? __The irony was that you need fingers to play the moon guitar but his frostbite was on his fingers so he couldn't play.__ 2. Why did Otter stay to watch? __Otter stayed to watched because if he left everyone in his cabin would think he is a coward.__ Chapter 18 1. What did Uncle Foxfire mean when he said, "We'll make a guest out of you yet?" __He meant that you have to learn some manners because you are not home.__ 2. What do you think caused the explosion? __When the nail went in it might have went in to far so then it would make the cave unstable so then it would collaspe.__ 3. Why wasn't Uncle Foxfire worried about Otter's father? __Because Uncle Foxfire knew that father was tough and he would never kill himself and he is not a wimp.__ Chapter 19 1. Why did Uncle Foxfire apologize to Otter? __Because he tricked his birth father and now his real father into going back to the Golden Mountain.__ 2. What did father mean when he said, "Don't try to trick the trickster?" __It meant that don't try to trick me that I am temporally blind because I know that I'm going to stay like this.__ 3. Describe how Otter felt by the end of this chapter towards the tiger. __He felt that the tiger was closing around him and clawing deeper into his mind.__

Chapter 20 1. Why do they describe their living/working situation as a battlefield? __Because if they did something wrong to the mountain it just might kill you.__ 2. Why did Otter insist that he and father had quit? __Because he couldn't see anything so he might just kill himself.__ 3. Why did Kilroy have to use the whip? What was this a symbol of? __He had to use it because he had to make sure everyone would not stand up to him and it was a symbal of like don't mess with me.__ 4. Why did father talk Otter into standing up and giving in to Kilroy's demands? __Because he he couldn't fight because he was blind and if he got hurt again that would be bad.__ 5. Make a prediction as to what will happen next? __I think thay will learn that father will be permantly blind and so then Otter will try to find a way to get back to China.__ Chapter 21 1. What does it mean when Uncle Foxfire said, "Anger is a luxury up here?" __He meant that you have a lot of different emotions but anger is the most common.__ 2. Why did Uncle Foxfire let Otter say such awful things to him? __Because he knew how he felt so then he knows what he is going to say next and otter is just a kid.__ 3. How can Uncle Foxfire make a promise that he's not sure he can keep? __He wanted Otter to make sure that he is trustworthy and loyal and that he always keep his promises.__

Chapter 22 1. What did the Tiger symbolize to Otter? __It meant that the Tiger is a man eating beast and a killing machine.__ 2. Why does everyone cough? __Because it is so cold and you have to keep coughing or if you don't it like freezes.__ 3. Why was Uncle Foxfire willing to take orders from Keg Mouth? __He was willing to take orders because he knows he is not head man anymore and he might get wipped.__ 4. Tell me about the ending of this chapter. Now what questions do you have? __What happened was that Otter was bad mouthing uncle Foxfire and a question that i had is why would otter just leave the crew here during work and he just leaves.__

Chapter 23 1. Otter once thought of Uncle Foxfire as a legend, what is a legend? __A legend is someone who will be known as a hero forever and is corrageous__. 2. Why does Otter admire Uncle Foxfire? Give examples/evidence to support your answer. __He admired him because he stood up for what he thought was right and he kept his promises.__ 3. What is the plan to get off the mountain and go home? __The plan is to create an avalanche and when he does he gets to go home.__ Chapter 24 1. Why did Uncle Foxfire and Otter go off into the mountain? __To blow up a part of the mountain so it would create an avalanche so then it wouldn't create an Avalanche that would go into the cave.__ 2. Why do you think that Sean followed? __So then he can help Otter and Uncle foxfire to get on top of the mountain.__ 3. What happened to Sean by the end of the chapter? Where is he going? __He sprained his ankle when he fell into a hole so then he has to go back to camp.__ Chapter 25 1. Otter now considers Uncle Foxfire to be a brave and modest man. Give examples/evidence of this. __Otter thinks this because he is helping him to do this and so then he can go back home with his father.__ 2. How has Otters perception of home changed? __It changed because he will see it in westerners eyes.__ 3. What does this mean, "The more I learn, the more I realize I need to know?" __He meant that since you learned about something it includes something you need to learn about.__ 4. Why didn't Otter blame Uncle Foxfire for his birth father's death anymore? __Because Otter forgave Uncle Foxfire.__ 5. What is the plan? The new Great Work? __Is to make sure you take your time and do your job very good.__

Chapter 26 1. On page 283 Otters states, "He kept his promise," what does this mean? __His promise was that he will get Otter back home and it meant since he was bleeding he made it look like he was going down the mountain so then Otter would follow.__ 2. What is the big idea or main idea of this chapter? __The big Idea is to always keep your promises even if it means to put your life in danger but it would mean you would save others.__