Riding the Black Cockatoo
Riding the Black Cockatoo by John Danalis
These questions require you to use three different comprehension skills!
Introduction
1. What is ‘The Dreamtime?’
The dreamtime is when the Indigenous Australians thought the world begun created by the rainbow serpent.
2. Who are Kurrumuruk and Yemurraki?
Kurrumuruk is the great Murray cod who was chased by Yemurraki, the rainbow serpent.
3. Where is Wamba Wamba country?
The Wamba Wamba country is in Victoria near the Murray River.
4. What is meant by the term ‘Reconciliation’, and how does the process relate to this book?
Reconciliation is the balancing of the book of history.
Image: Lumnitzer
Chapter 1
1. The author foreshadows his ‘family secret’ with which simile? Why is this an effective comparison?
The simile associated with his family secret is like a kangaroo- iconic in the wild but troublesome in the paddock. It is an effective way because the secret is troublesome outside of the family.
2. Why did the author decide to study ‘Indigenous Writing’, and how did he feel about studying the course? 2-3
He enrolled into the subject because he felt time ebbing away.
3. Did John Danalis enjoy the course reading list? How do we know this? 3
John did enjoy this because he described it as sliding into a warm bath full of ‘National Geographic’s’.
4. Who are ‘The Other’? 4
‘The Other’ is a term used by the European settlers for the indigenous Australians.
5. What did John feel was lacking in the tutorial group? 5
He thought it was lacking the inquiry and exploration that universities once had.
6. How are Australian country towns of the 70s represented by the tutor’s story of her childhood? 6
The indigenous Australians were fulfilling community service duties, usually as punishments for minor offences.
7. Who was Evonne Goolagong, and why did the tutor feel that she had to hide the picture of her?
Evonne Goolagong is a famous aboriginal tennis player. She felt the need to hide the
These questions require you to use three different comprehension skills!
Introduction
1. What is ‘The Dreamtime?’
The dreamtime is when the Indigenous Australians thought the world begun created by the rainbow serpent.
2. Who are Kurrumuruk and Yemurraki?
Kurrumuruk is the great Murray cod who was chased by Yemurraki, the rainbow serpent.
3. Where is Wamba Wamba country?
The Wamba Wamba country is in Victoria near the Murray River.
4. What is meant by the term ‘Reconciliation’, and how does the process relate to this book?
Reconciliation is the balancing of the book of history.
Image: Lumnitzer
Chapter 1
1. The author foreshadows his ‘family secret’ with which simile? Why is this an effective comparison?
The simile associated with his family secret is like a kangaroo- iconic in the wild but troublesome in the paddock. It is an effective way because the secret is troublesome outside of the family.
2. Why did the author decide to study ‘Indigenous Writing’, and how did he feel about studying the course? 2-3
He enrolled into the subject because he felt time ebbing away.
3. Did John Danalis enjoy the course reading list? How do we know this? 3
John did enjoy this because he described it as sliding into a warm bath full of ‘National Geographic’s’.
4. Who are ‘The Other’? 4
‘The Other’ is a term used by the European settlers for the indigenous Australians.
5. What did John feel was lacking in the tutorial group? 5
He thought it was lacking the inquiry and exploration that universities once had.
6. How are Australian country towns of the 70s represented by the tutor’s story of her childhood? 6
The indigenous Australians were fulfilling community service duties, usually as punishments for minor offences.
7. Who was Evonne Goolagong, and why did the tutor feel that she had to hide the picture of her?
Evonne Goolagong is a famous aboriginal tennis player. She felt the need to hide the