"Island Of The Blue Dolphins" Constructed Response Answers

 Question 1 : Why does Karana, the narrator, decide not to shoot the wounded dog?

Answer 1 : I believe that Karana decided not too shoot the dog because it already seemed dead, laying down and not moving. Karana might have felt bad for what she already did to it, even if she hated it with all her might. In the text, it states that “The big dog lay there and did not move and this may be the reason. If he had gotten up I would have killed him”. This shows that Karana would have harmed the dog more if it were standing and not laying down because of how guilty she is already feeling, hurting the dog to the point where it can’t stand anymore.

Question 2 : Do you think Karana has hunted with a bow and arrow before?

Answer 2 : I think that Karana has hunted with a bow and arrow before because of how used to the steps and formula she seems to it. The text states that Karana “had a second arrow ready”, probably showing how she has had not-so-good experiences with hunting animals in the past (and has learned from those failed attempts, bringing an extra arrow just in case she misses the first shot). Since Karana was so careful (“I placed my feet carefully”) and “professional” throughout the process of killing the dog, she must have experienced a bow and arrow before or has at least seen other people use one.

Question 3 : Why does the dog back away and show his teeth when Karana goes up to feed him?

Answer 3 : I think that the dog backed away (and showed his teeth) from Karana when she tried to feed him because of how vulnerable he felt. Since the dog recently was shot and is still recovering, he is still too weak to defend himself against anyone trying to harm him. Because of this, he tries to scare other predators (in this case, people) away before they get the chance to attack him. The text also states that his body was limp (“I do not think he knew I was picking him up, for his body was limp, as of he were dead”), another “piece of evidence” that shows how he is still weak and cannot fight back.