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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. To make the passing from life to death less abrupt, what have the people of Eusapia done?

2. As Polo studies the wood of Khan's chessboard, what does he point out?

3. In Eusapia, what is there really is no way of knowing anymore?

4. What does the hidden side of Moriana look like?

5. When Polo lands at the furthest city to which he's ever traveled, he arrives when?

Short Essay Questions

1. When people get lost in Eudoxia, what do they look at to find their bearings?

2. In what significant way is Argia different from all other cities Polo describes?

3. How does Clarice preserve and display its history?

4. How do the people of Beersheba regard the heavenly version of their city?

5. Who lives in the underground city of Eusapia, and who has access to it?

6. How does Polo use the game of chess to help Khan better understand the cities of his empire?

7. What are the theories regarding why the inhabitants of Baucis live up in the clouds and rarely climb down to the ground?

8. Describe the two sides of the city of Moriana.

9. What eventually happens to travelers who decide to stay in Phyllis to discover all of its secrets?

10. When Polo speaks of imperfections in the wood of Khan's chessboard, how does the emperor respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Through some of his city descriptions, Polo demonstrates the folly behind people's behavior, customs, traditions, and/or belief systems. Cite three examples from the book where this is the case. Then, compare and contrast these examples. Finally, explain what message you believe Polo is trying to communicate about human nature by these examples.

Essay Topic 2

Is it ever possible to tell whether Polo's stories have any truth to them or are completely made up? Why or why not? What examples or book passages support your conclusion?

Essay Topic 3

Part 1) What does Polo stand to gain by sharing stories about the empire's cities with Khan? What might he lose?

Part 2) How does Khan benefit from the information provided by Polo? Does it affect his ruling style in any way? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

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