Words from Arctic Canada

English has borrowed many words from Inuktut (the family of Inuit dialects spoken in the Arctic). Do you know what an amautik is? Have you ever heard the words qulliq or pingo? Take this quiz to test your knowledge of words borrowed from Inuktut and learn about traditional ways of life in the Arctic.

In the sentences below, identify the correct meaning of the words in bold font.

1. Inuit invented the kayak for hunting, fishing and travelling.
2. The mother kept her baby warm in her amautik.
3. Although igloos no longer serve as primary residences, they’re sometimes still used as temporary hunting shelters.
4. Qulliq were used chiefly for cooking and heating.
5. The child held tightly to the ookpik.
6. Nearly 50 metres high, Ibyuk is the tallest pingo in the Arctic.
7. The women cleaned the animal skins with ulus.
8. Kamiks keep your feet very warm.
9. He packed his equipment on the komatik and prepared for the long journey.
10. The inuksuk alerted the hunters that they should head west.