How to create birchbark or dugout canoes - Exam
  • 1. What is the primary material used for the outer hull of a birchbark canoe?
A) Animal hides
B) Canvas
C) Cedar planks
D) Birch bark
  • 2. What material is traditionally used to sew the birchbark panels together?
A) Pine needles
B) Cotton thread
C) Wire
D) Spruce root
  • 3. What is used to seal the seams of a birchbark canoe to make it waterproof?
A) Pine pitch
B) Beeswax
C) Rubber sealant
D) Mud
  • 4. What wood is commonly used for the ribs and gunwales of a birchbark canoe?
A) Cedar
B) Maple
C) Pine
D) Oak
  • 5. What is the first step in building a dugout canoe?
A) Carving the interior
B) Selecting a suitable log
C) Adding seats
D) Shaping the exterior
  • 6. What tool is traditionally used for hollowing out a dugout canoe?
A) Saw
B) Adze
C) Chisel
D) Axe
  • 7. What is done to a dugout canoe after initial hollowing to refine its shape?
A) Sanding
B) Varnishing
C) Controlled burning
D) Painting
  • 8. Which tree is most commonly used for dugout canoes in the Pacific Northwest?
A) Ponderosa Pine
B) Western Red Cedar
C) Douglas Fir
D) Sitka Spruce
  • 9. What is the purpose of 'soaking' the birch bark before using it?
A) To make it pliable
B) To add color
C) To remove insects
D) To make it waterproof
  • 10. How is the birch bark typically harvested?
A) Stripping it randomly
B) Carefully peeling it in the spring
C) Cutting down the tree
D) Burning the bark off
  • 11. What is the role of the 'gunwales' in a canoe?
A) To decorate the canoe
B) To provide structural support along the top edge
C) To provide seating
D) To act as a rudder
  • 12. What is 'sheathing' in a birchbark canoe?
A) The pitch sealant
B) The paddle
C) The outer layer of bark
D) The layer inside the bark for support.
  • 13. What is the benefit of burning during dugout canoe construction?
A) It makes the canoe lighter
B) It protects the canoe from insects
C) It weakens the wood for easier removal.
D) It hardens the wood
  • 14. How are dugout canoes typically propelled?
A) Sails
B) Paddles
C) Oars
D) Motors
  • 15. What is a 'crooked knife' used for in canoe building?
A) Sewing seams
B) Detailed carving and shaping of wood
C) Applying pitch
D) Cutting birch bark
  • 16. What is the primary function of the 'ribs' in a birchbark canoe?
A) To decorate the canoe
B) To hold the gunwales
C) To give the bark its shape and strength
D) To provide seating
  • 17. Why is cedar preferred for canoe ribs?
A) It is resistant to fire
B) It is lightweight and flexible
C) It is very hard and durable
D) It is readily available
  • 18. What helps keep the bark on a birchbark canoe from cracking?
A) Regular painting
B) Exposure to sunlight
C) Proper curing and sealant
D) Frequent waxing
  • 19. What is an awl used for when making a birchbark canoe?
A) Smoothing surfaces
B) Cutting bark
C) Applying pitch
D) Making holes for sewing
  • 20. What is the role of the keel in canoe construction?
A) Provides stability and strengthens the bottom
B) Holds the seats
C) Acts as a rudder
D) Aids in steering
  • 21. Which of these is NOT a traditional material for birchbark canoe construction?
A) Metal fasteners
B) Cedar
C) Birch bark
D) Spruce root
  • 22. Why are paddles often shaped to be asymmetrical?
A) Improved efficiency
B) Easier storage
C) Better aesthetics
D) Reduced weight
  • 23. What is the purpose of steaming wood in canoe building?
A) To waterproof the wood
B) To make it more pliable for bending
C) To kill insects in the wood
D) To add color to the wood
  • 24. What is 'hogging' in relation to dugout canoes?
A) The process of applying pitch
B) A specific type of paddle
C) Warpage or deformation of the hull
D) A method of steering
  • 25. Which direction should the grain run in birch bark when layering?
A) It doesn't matter
B) Diagonally across the ribs
C) Perpendicular to the ribs
D) Parallel to the ribs
  • 26. Why is the inside of a dugout canoe often charred?
A) To protect it from rot
B) To make it lighter
C) To add color
D) To make it stronger
  • 27. What type of pitch is preferred for sealing birchbark canoes?
A) Petroleum-based pitch
B) Asphalt-based pitch
C) Coal tar pitch
D) A blend of pine resin, charcoal, and fat
  • 28. What is the primary advantage of a birchbark canoe?
A) Speed
B) Light weight
C) Durability
D) Capacity
  • 29. What is the main disadvantage of a dugout canoe?
A) Easily damaged
B) Prone to leaks
C) Expensive to build
D) Heavy and difficult to transport
  • 30. What should be done with a dugout canoe during storage to prevent cracking?
A) Wrap it tightly in plastic
B) Keep it partially filled with water.
C) Coat it with oil
D) Store it in direct sunlight
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