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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 one listens to the ground in Argia, what does one hear?

2. In Eusapia, what is there really is no way of knowing anymore?

3. Who are honored throughout Leonia?

4. What does Polo say that Pyrrha represents for him?

5. What happens to the city of Irene as one approaches it?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the people of Beersheba regard the heavenly version of their city?

2. Why is it that someone arriving at Thekla will see very little of the city?

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

4. In Chapter 5, how does Polo illustrate to Khan the connections that hold cities together?

5. When Polo speaks of imperfections in the wood of Khan's chessboard, how does the emperor respond?

6. How do the cities described by Polo in Chapter 8 depict confusion?

7. Who lives in the underground city of Eusapia, and who has access to it?

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

9. What are the theories regarding why the inhabitants of Baucis live up in the clouds and rarely climb down to the ground?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The two main characters question reality to the point where they are not sure if they are presently traveling and only dreaming of being in Khan's garden, or presently relaxing in the garden while dreaming of their travels. Which do you think is the case? Why? Support your conclusion with evidence from the book.

Essay Topic 2

A common thread through Polo's tales of Khan's cities is "dreams and imagination." His stories are not only informative, but also extremely entertaining for the emperor thanks to the element of fantasy Polo employs.

1) Using specific examples from the book, explain how Marco Polo carries the theme of "dreams and imagination" in his stories.

2) How does this theme grab and hook Khan into Polo's tales?

Essay Topic 3

Is it ever possible to tell whether Polo's stories have any truth to them or are completely made up? Why or why not? What examples or book passages support your conclusion?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample