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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 confession by Twain begins the letter in chapter 3?

2. According to Twain's letter in chapter 2, how many months out of the year is the Pacific peaceful?

3. What differences in Honolulu and San Francisco did Twain observe in chapter 4?

4. What other name did Twain use to refer to Brannan's palace?

5. Where was the fauna that Twain mentioned in chapter 11?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did Twain's horse's actions cause confusion between him and a young woman in chapter 7?

2. How did Twain board the Ajax in chapter 1, and what caused passengers to become sick?

3. How did Twain's theory about an ancient burial ground differ from its legend in chapter 7?

4. Which question did Twain have for the ministers of the Hawaiian legislature in chapter 13, and what did he think of their etiquette?

5. How important did Twain think that Pacific whaling was for Honolulu, and what did he think would happen to the trade?

6. What was Twain's opinion of the Hotel American in chapter 5?

7. What was the scenery like for Twain when he traveled through Nuuanu Valley and Kalihi Valley in chapter 11?

8. Which animals were aboard the Ajax, and how was one of them named?

9. What did Twain notice about Honolulu in chapter 4?

10. How did Twain consider the cigars and liquor of Hawaii?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the Saturday market, the natives that Twain encountered there, and its history, including the way it was before the laws were instituted, why and how the laws were designed, and what had changed in the areas since they were introduced.

Essay Topic 2

The volcano of Kilauea was the last location that Twain wrote about in his Letters from Hawaii.

1) Describe the Kilauea volcano's crater, Twain's initial response to it, and how he realized its enormous scope.

2) Explain why Twain decided to view the volcano at night and how it transformed as the sun set.

3) Analyze Twain's writings about the volcano, his descriptions, the language and phrasing he used, and why he chose this event as the last one to include in his letters.

Essay Topic 3

Describe in detail the basis for Twain's dislike of Minister Harris, his description of Harris's actions, and his criticism of ministers in general.

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