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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 does Utnapishtim demand to know about the stranger?

2. How does Gilgamesh arrive at the shore of the Bitter River?

3. Why is Urshanabi banished from the place for all time?

4. What does Utnapishtim think about Gilgamesh's appearance?

5. Where does Utnapishtim order the boatman to take Gilgamesh?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Chapter Nine begin?

2. Of what does Sabitu remind Gilgamesh?

3. What does Utnapishtim tell Gilgamesh that would allow him to return to Uruk honorably?

4. What must Gilgamesh do to reach Utnapishtim?

5. How does Gilgamesh arrive at the short of the Bitter River?

6. What option does Urshanabi offer Gilgamesh?

7. What does the scorpion-man urge Gilgamesh to do? How does Gilgamesh respond?

8. What happens because of Gilgamesh's impatience?

9. What takes place in Enkidu's dream?

10. What does Utnapishtim agree to tell Gilgamesh?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This story serves a purpose.

Part 1) What purpose does it serve?

Part 2) How might those hearing or reading this story when it was first created react to it differently than readers today? Why?

Part 3) Why is this considered an epic? Are there any stories in your culture that you would consider epics? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

At every point of his journey, Gilgamesh is warned of the dangers.

Part 1) How is he warned? Why is he warned?

Part 2) Gilgamesh is not only warned but urged to act a certain way. How is he urged to behave? Why?

Part 3) What is the purpose for this urging? How might it affect those hearing or reading the story in this society?

Essay Topic 3

Immortality must be given by the gods.

Part 1) How do you know this? Why must it be given by the gods?

Part 2) What does this mean for Gilgamesh? Does he have a chance at immortality? Why or why not?

Part 3) What does this revelation mean for the people of the society from which this story comes?

(see the answer keys)

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