Name: The Inuit

G6.3 ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 1

The Inuit

1 The Inuit, or Eskimo, arrived thousands of years ago in North

America. They crossed the ice bridge of the Bering Strait during

the last ice age. The word Inuit means “people” and this tribe

speaks Inuit. This is one of two branches of the Eskimo

language.

2 Some of these ancient people went south to warmer parts of

present-day Canada, the U.S., and South America. The Inuit

stayed in the frigid arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and

Greenland. These bands settled along the coastlines of the

ocean, lakes, and rivers. Life was very harsh due to the frosty

temperatures, snow, and ice. The freezing winters were very

long and the summers chilly and short. The Inuit became

experts at finding food to survive.

3 The Inuit were great fishermen and hunters but had never been able to grow crops due to the arctic climate. Since ice

covers all water, the Inuit hunted by cutting holes into the ice and dropping fishing hooks into the water. They also

trapped seals and other mammals at these spots. As seals arose from the water for air, the Inuit speared them. They also

hunted arctic foxes, polar bears, caribou, and walruses.

4 The Inuit had become experts at understanding the ice and frigid waters around them. They knew when the ice was

dangerous to walk on and its thickness. This allowed them to hunt and fish safely. Passed down from their ancestors,

this knowledge also taught them how to use their boats, or kayaks, to hunt whales. The Inuit steered these kayaks

covered in waterproof seal skin around ice flows and icebergs to find prey.

5 They used every part of whales for survival. Whale fat and oil was burned for lighting simple lanterns! The bones and

ivory were used for tools and weapons, such as knives, harpoons, spears, and needles. The warm and dry animal hides

were used for clothing, blankets, and shelter.

6 Many Inuit lived in igloos during the coldest parts of the year. This was mostly the winter months when the howling wind

whipped across the snowy landscape. They formed large blocks of snow and stacked them on one another creating a

circular, domed shelter. The huge amount of snow and ice made these shelters easy to make rather quickly. They were

also very warm since a small fire could be made inside the igloo without melting the blocks.

7 During the warmer months, the Inuit would build tents covered in animal hides. These skins were held up by frames made

of wood or bones. These communities realized that all of their surroundings had to be used completely to survive in such

a cold environment.

8 While Inuit men hunted and made shelters, the women made clothing for their families. In such a cold land, animal fur

was perfect for staying warm. Tribal members wore two layers during winter in an anorak, or parka. Since fur traps

warm pockets of air against the body, the inner layer of fur was worn against the skin. The outer layer’s fur faced the

wind. This outer layer was waterproof, keeping the person dry. Pants were also made using this method.

9 Boots also needed to be waterproof to keep out water from melting snow. Seal skin was perfect to use since it resisted

water very well and was tough. Also, polar bear and caribou pelts were highly prized for their warmth, toughness,

and water resistance. The Inuit really used every part of an animal!

The Inuit

G6.3 ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 2

10 Besides using kayaks to hunt and travel, the Inuits also had dogsleds. They preferred the large and rugged huskies as they

were strong enough to pull a sled, rider, and survival gear. These dogs were also used to the freezing air and could haul

a rider for miles across the ice. This was the easiest way to take supplies long distances.

A. friend B. father C. earlier relative

4. Which of the following would be the best summary for paragraph 6?

A. The snowy land was used for the quick and easy building of igloos as shelter

B. Small fires were made inside the igloos to keep Inuits warm

C. They made igloos for shelter from the blowing arctic winds

3. According to the article, how did kayaks stay afloat?

A. they were covered in seal skin

B. very light wood was used

C. whale oil kept out water

6. Which resource would most likely have detailed maps of the arctic region?

A. a book on Native Americans

B. an atlas C. an almanac

D. mother

D. an Inuit website

D. animal bones formed the bottom

D. They made igloos from blocks of snow, stacking them into a dome. Small fires were made inside

5. What does the word ancestors mean in paragraph 4?

1. Which part of an animal was used for lighting?

A. fur B. whale oil C. ivory

2. How did the Inuit survive in the arctic?

A. By making warm clothing

B. By using all parts of

their surroundings C. By hunting animals in their environment

D. By using every part of an animal

D. whale bones

Directions: read each question and circle the correct answer.

The Inuit

G6.3 ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 3

11. What would be a synonym for the word kayaks in paragraph 4?

A. harpoons B. boast C. skis D. water

12. Who might find this information most helpful?

A. Someone wanting tobuild an igloo

B. Someone learning

how to make a kayak

C. Someone learning about

whale hunting

D. Someone wanting to learnabout life in the arctic

13. Which statement below would be the best addition to paragraph 8?

A. Without these hides for

clothing, the Inuit would

have died.

B. Needles were made

from ivory.

C. Whale meat was a major

part of the Inuit diet.

D. Polar bear fur is really

translucent, not white.

14. This article would best be an example of—

A. an autobiography B. a biography C. science fiction D. nonfiction

9. Which paragraph contains information about making boots?

A. paragraph 9 B. paragraph 3 C. paragraph10 D. paragraph 8

10. What text structure is used to organize this article?

A. Sequence B. Compare and

Contrast

C. Main idea and details D. Cause and Effect

8. What is another word for anorak from paragraph 8?

A. coat B. spear C. pants D. blanket

7. Which of the following could be another title for the article?

A. Ancient Native

Americans

B. Hunting Whales C. The People of the

Arctic RegionD. Surviving in Snow

Name: The Inuit

G6.3* ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 1

The Inuit *

1 The Inuit, or Eskimo, arrived thousands of years ago in North

America. They crossed the ice bridge of the Bering Strait during

the last ice age. The word Inuit means “people” and this tribe

speaks Inuit. This is one of two branches of the Eskimo

language.

2 Some of these ancient people went south to warmer parts of

present-day Canada, the U.S., and South America. The Inuit

stayed in the frigid arctic regions of Canada, Alaska, and

Greenland. These bands settled along the coastlines of the ocean,

lakes, and rivers. Life was very harsh due to the frosty

temperatures, snow, and ice. The freezing winters were very

long and the summers chilly and short. The Inuit became experts

at finding food to survive.

3 The Inuit were great fishermen and hunters but had never been able to grow crops due to the arctic climate. Since ice

covers all water, the Inuit hunted by cutting holes into the ice and dropping fishing hooks into the water. They also

trapped seals and other mammals at these spots. As seals arose from the water for air, the Inuit speared them. They also

hunted arctic foxes, polar bears, caribou, and walruses.

4 The Inuit had become experts at understanding the ice and frigid waters around them. They knew when the ice was

dangerous to walk on and its thickness. This allowed them to hunt and fish safely. Passed down from their ancestors,

this knowledge also taught them how to use their boats, or kayaks, to hunt whales. The Inuit steered these kayaks

covered in waterproof seal skin around ice flows and icebergs to find prey.

5 They used every part of whales for survival. Whale fat and oil was burned for lighting simple lanterns! The bones and

ivory were used for tools and weapons, such as knives, harpoons, spears, and needles. The warm and dry animal hides

were used for clothing, blankets, and shelter.

6 Many Inuit lived in igloos during the coldest parts of the year. This was mostly the winter months when the howling wind

whipped across the snowy landscape. They formed large blocks of snow and stacked them on one another creating a

circular, domed shelter. The huge amount of snow and ice made these shelters easy to make rather quickly. They were

also very warm since a small fire could be made inside the igloo without melting the blocks.

7 During the warmer months, the Inuit would build tents covered in animal hides. These skins were held up by frames made

of wood or bones. These communities realized that all of their surroundings had to be used completely to survive in such

a cold environment.

8 While Inuit men hunted and made shelters, the women made clothing for their families. In such a cold land, animal fur

was perfect for staying warm. Tribal members wore two layers during winter in an anorak, or parka. Since fur traps

warm pockets of air against the body, the inner layer of fur was worn against the skin. The outer layer’s fur faced the

wind. This outer layer was waterproof, keeping the person dry. Pants were also made using this method.

9 Boots also needed to be waterproof to keep out water from melting snow. Seal skin was perfect to use since it resisted

water very well and was tough. Also, polar bear and caribou pelts were highly prized for their warmth, toughness,

and water resistance. The Inuit really used every part of an animal!

The Inuit

G6.3* ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 2

10 Besides using kayaks to hunt and travel, the Inuits also had dogsleds. They preferred the large and rugged huskies as they

were strong enough to pull a sled, rider, and survival gear. These dogs were also used to the freezing air and could haul

a rider for miles across the ice. This was the easiest way to take supplies long distances.

A. friend B. father C. earlier relative *

1. Which part of an animal was used for lighting?

A. fur B. whale oil * C. ivory

4. Which of the following would be the best summary for paragraph 6?

A. The snowy land was used for the quick and easy building of igloos as shelter

B. Small fires were made inside the igloos to keep Inuits warm

C. They made igloos for shelter from the blowing arctic winds

2. How did the Inuit survive in the arctic?

A. By making warm clothing

B. By using all parts of

their surroundings *C. By hunting animals in their environment

3. According to the article, how did kayaks stay afloat?

A. they were covered in seal skin *

B. very light wood was used

C. whale oil kept out water

6. Which resource would most likely have detailed maps of the arctic region?

A. a book on Native Americans

B. an atlas * C. an almanac

D. mother

D. an Inuit website

D. animal bones formed the bottom

D. By using every part of an animal

D. They made igloos from blocks of snow, stacking them into a dome. Small fires were made inside *

D. whale bones

5. What does the word ancestors mean in paragraph 4?

Directions: read each question and circle the correct answer.

The Inuit

G6.3* ©2013 IntegratedLessons.com 3

9. Which paragraph contains information about making boots?

A. paragraph 9 * B. paragraph 3 C. paragraph10 D. paragraph 8

10. What text structure is used to organize this article?

A. Sequence B. Compare and

Contrast

C. Main idea and details * D. Cause and Effect

11. What would be a synonym for the word kayaks in paragraph 4?

A. harpoons B. boats * C. skis D. water

12. Who might find this information most helpful?

A. Someone wanting tobuild an igloo

B. Someone learning

how to make a kayak

C. Someone learning about

whale hunting

D. Someone wanting to learnabout life in the arctic *

13. Which statement below would be the best addition to paragraph 8?

A. Without these hides for

clothing, the Inuit would

have died. *

B. Needles were made

from ivory.

C. Whale meat was a major

part of the Inuit diet.

D. Polar bear fur is really

translucent, not white.

14. This article would best be an example of—

A. an autobiography B. a biography C. science fiction D. nonfiction *

8. What is another word for anorak from paragraph 8?

A. coat * B. spear C. pants D. blanket

7. Which of the following could be another title for the article?

A. Ancient Native

Americans

B. Hunting Whales C. The People of the

Arctic Region *D. Surviving in Snow