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