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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who tells Polo in Hypatia that, "signs form a language, but not the one you know."
(a) One of the servants.
(b) The sultan.
(c) The sultan's eldest son.
(d) One of the philosphers.

2. Which city stands on high pilings even though it sits on dry land?
(a) Zenobia.
(b) Algoria.
(c) Zamoria.
(d) Chernobia.

3. When the emperor tells Polo that he's dreamed up a city and describes it, what does Polo reply?
(a) It's the most fantastic city Polo has ever heard of.
(b) It's the city Polo was just describing.
(c) He praises the emperor's wit and imagination.
(d) He asks to not be interrupted again.

4. Polo explains that the city Khan dreams of with the farewells from its harbor has one secret. What is it?
(a) It is a phantom city born of nymphs' imaginations.
(b) It knows about departures but not returns.
(c) Other cities bring their prisoners here.
(d) Its residents suffer from a rare, mysterious disease.

5. Why does Khan listen to Polo's stories so intently?
(a) It stirs his imagination and gives him incentive to continue ruling.
(b) He will never have the chance to travel to all of these places.
(c) He's looking for clues to help him better rule his empire.
(d) He is starved for entertainment.

6. Anastasia is described as being full of precious and mundane objects such as:
(a) Onyx and agate.
(b) Gold and sea stones.
(c) Turquoise and tin.
(d) Silver and shells.

7. If a traveler walks into Zemrude with his head held down by grief, how will he see the city?
(a) From above.
(b) Void of color.
(c) Brilliantly lit.
(d) In decline.

8. In order to really understand the language of Hypatia, what must Polo do?
(a) Learn a new set of written symbols.
(b) Spend at least two months there.
(c) Free himself from images.
(d) Better understand the hand gestures.

9. When one leaves Zenobia and travels for six days and seven nights, where would one end up?
(a) Zoroastria.
(b) Zoey.
(c) Zobeide.
(d) Zapata.

10. Which city is described as a place where traitors are strung from lampposts and old men sit on docks, telling stories while mending fishing nets?
(a) Anastasia.
(b) Isidora.
(c) Zirma.
(d) Zaira.

11. Polo tells Khan that the second half of Sophronia is filled with what?
(a) Universities, observatories, and libraries.
(b) Markets, hen houses, silkworm farms, and poppy fields.
(c) Gardens, statues, and fountains.
(d) Factories, palaces, slaughterhouses, and schools.

12. When describing the cities of Eutropia, Polo explains that:
(a) Each one is ruled by a benevolent elder.
(b) All were once destroyed by a large earthquake.
(c) Only one is inhabited at a time.
(d) Its inhabitants are unusually tall.

13. What tangible items do merchants trade in Euphemia?
(a) Curry powder and white and green tea.
(b) Poppy seeds, grain, and nutmeg.
(c) Gunpowder and fireworks.
(d) Silk fabrics as well as silk worms.

14. Why does Polo initially rely on symbols to represent people and places?
(a) He wants to make it more challenging for Khan.
(b) He's eccentric and mischievous.
(c) He cannot speak Khan's language.
(d) He's too shy to speak directly to the emperor.

15. What does Polo see rising vertically in Armilla?
(a) Stacks of seashells.
(b) Pipes where the houses should be.
(c) Columns that hold nothing up.
(d) Tall, slender windmills.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why was the city on pilings built so high off the ground?

2. Which city is a gray stone metropolis with a large metal building in the center?

3. If a traveler walks into Zemrude with his head held high, how does he see the city?

4. Whenever the emperor is in a good mood and says how splendid his empire is, he wants to know why Polo:

5. What is Eutropia composed of?

(see the answer keys)

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