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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. What type of clothing is the person wearing?

2. Which is not among the revered animal sculptures?

3. Carson was particularly fascinated by the letters engraved on one of the instruments. What were the letters?

4. What else was supposedly referenced on the small relief?

5. What signals the end of the show?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the description used for the paperweight in the Souvenirs and Quality Reproductions section?

2. Describe the pendant found in the Inner Chamber. What is it made out of and what is the inscription?

3. What items were found lining the passageway between the tombs?

4. Explain how the scientists viewed the mosaic tile. How was it decorated? Where was it typically found?

5. Describe the Sacred Points Bookends. What are the bookends made out of and what uses might they have?

6. In what way does Harriet show that she is still devoted to Carson?

7. Explain the unique design of the coffee service. What is the pot shape? What is the shape of the cups? How many cups are there to the set?

8. The scientists were particularly fascinated by the fragments of plasticus petrificus. Explain the piece and how it is represented as a souvenir.

9. What is the description given to the Sacred Seal? Where was it placed?

10. Who traveled along with the treasures? What was the purpose of traveling this way?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Howard Carson is painted as a ne'er do well in the beginning of the book. How did Carson make a living? What was the man's level of ambition? Why did Carson decide it was time to change his life? How did he propose to make changes? Were those goals accomplished? Did the effort to change cause Carson to land at the Motel of the Mysteries? How did Carson handle the discovery of the motel? Did Carson see the discovery as his destiny? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The Triumphal Arch was considered to be one of the most significant finds regarding the ancient culture of Usa. Discuss the Triumphal Arch and its use as a gateway. Do you think the explanation of the arch's placement in relation to the west coast falling into the ocean makes any sense? Do think there was a specific placement of the arch? Explain. Other pieces of architecture are represented in the book as being important discoveries. Why are monuments so interesting to archeologists and historians? How do you think they arrived at the explanations listed in the book? Do you think any other explanations might have been considered? Explain.

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