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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. How was the sugar refinery that Twain visited in chapter 23 powered?

2. How long had the princess lain in state when Twain wrote the letter in chapter 16?

3. Which island was the captain of the burned Hornet hopeful of reaching?

4. What position did Twain's principal interview subject, John S. Thomas, have aboard the Hornet?

5. How long had the Kona volcano been dormant when Twain visited it in chapter 19?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was Twain's visit of Waiohinu like in chapter 24?

2. What was Kamehameha's funeral like, and when did it take place?

3. What was it about Hawaii's sugar production that impressed Twain in chapter 23?

4. How did the survivors of the Hornet reach the shore of Hawaii?

5. How did Twain describe the mausoleum he visited in chapter 17?

6. What was Mr. Brown trying to steal in chapter 20?

7. Why was the attempt by Twain and Mr. Brown to get food in chapter 20 humorous?

8. Who was Charlton and why was he sued in Hawaiian courts?

9. What caused the Hornet to burn in the first place?

10. According to Twain, what was the source of the Hawaiian's use of their ancient customs during the funeral in chapter 16?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the letters, Twain offered his opinions about Hawaii on many different levels.

1) Describe what Twain thought of the Hotel American that he stayed at and why.

2) Explain which fruits positively surprised Twain in Hawaii and why, as well as the fruits that he did not enjoy as much.

3) Describe the scenery for three places that Twain observed on the islands.

4) Analyze Twain's opinions about the Hawaiian cigars and liquor, and his advice to Americans for both.

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

Pacific whaling was a serious issue that Twain wrote about in his letters from Hawaii.

1) Describe the benefits of Pacific whaling that Twain included in his letters.

2) Explain why Twain thought that San Francisco should actively pursue whaling on a larger scale.

3) Describe the steps that needed to be taken in Twain's opinion for whaling to be the most effective.

4) Analyze the humorous story that Twain wrote about in order to delay his discussion of Pacific whaling.

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