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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. When a traveler arrives at Phyllis, what does he decide to do?

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

3. The form of the city of Eudoxia is preserved in a carpet. When someone who is lost stares at this carpet, what happens?

4. In Esmeralda, who moves through the sewers with the rats?

5. When Khan tells Polo that he's dreamed of a city bathed in the light of the moon, what does Polo say?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Polo say to Khan when the emperor points out that he never speaks of Venice?

2. Describe the two species that protect Leandra.

3. Describe the dialogue that Khan and Polo have regarding the arched bridge made of stone.

4. Describe Esmeralda, the city of water.

5. As Khan visualizes the growth of his empire, what are some of the concerns he has?

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

7. When Polo suggests to Khan that the garden where they share stories may exist only in their minds and that, in reality, they may still be traveling, what does the emperor say?

8. When Polo sees familiar faces in the city of Adelma, what does he start to wonder?

9. It's not always clear in the story if Khan is speaking to Polo or merely imagining a conversation, such as when he supposedly confronts Polo regarding Venice. Whether the conversation happened or was imagined, what does Khan accuse Polo of regarding Venice?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In many of Polo's stories, there is a strong relationship between the living and the dead.

Part 1) Give specific examples from the book of cities that exhibit some type of connection between those who are alive and those who have passed on.

Part 2) Why does Polo cover this theme? Why does he return to it again and again? What is he trying to establish, either for himself or for the emperor, regarding the interconnectedness of the living and the dead?

Essay Topic 2

After hearing Polo tell so many varied, interesting stories reflecting the state of Khan's empire, what conclusion does the emperor reach? What has he been trying to learn all along from Polo's stories? Does he get the information he seeks? What does Khan decide or realize about his empire by the end of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Part 1) Compare and contrast the two characters in the story, Kublai Khan and Marco Polo. In what ways are they similar? How are they different?

Part 2) What kind of a relationship do Khan and Polo have? What does each learn from the other? Do the characters grow and develop in any way through their interactions with each other? If so, how? Cite examples from the book to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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