View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What phrase is used to describe this character's life up to this point?

2. Who is the person credited with finding the specific location?

3. What is the name of Carson's companion?

4. The skeletons of how many people are found in the room?

5. It became a popular tradition to do what to the monument?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where did Carson end up? What was he facing when he landed?

2. What are Carson's names for items #8, 9, & 10?

3. When did the excavation begin? How long did it last? Who helped?

4. Why was #9 proportioned in a specific way?

5. Upon seeing this fantastic discovery, Carson had hopes of finding what?

6. What was Carson's reaction when he realized what he had found?

7. When did the great catastrophe occur? What caused it?

8. How is Howard Carson's life described before the discovery of the Motel of the Mysteries?

9. What were the "columns" discussed by scientists? What were they really? Where would they normally be found?

10. What did Carson do one day while eating his lunch?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Water is a common theme when researching ancient cultures. In the case of the Motel of the Mysteries, there are several sections that refer to the use of water, from the Inner Chamber to the pool area by the Great Courtyard. Discuss each item that can be related to water. Explain its real use, the use created for the book, and how each item works. Why is water so important? What can be learned about a culture's use of water? When was the first water vessel discovered? Where?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the relationship between Howard Carson and Harriet Burton. In the beginning of the book Harriet is referred to as a colleague. As the book goes on it becomes clear that Harriet has a sense of deep devotion toward Carson. Write a detailed synopsis of the relationship between the two excavators. What were the pros and cons? Did either person make it obvious that there was something more than a purely professional relationship? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Many of the artifacts in the Motel are linked by Carson and the workers to some form of religious ceremony. What would cause the workers to make those assumptions? What else could be related to the artifacts in lieu of religion? What religious artifacts do you think were used in society during Carson's time? Are religious artifacts more important as symbols of religion or are they more important as historical items? Also, how could Carson know which gods were associated each sacred item found in the hotel? Would you relate those things to the same gods? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 636 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample