View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What object is referred to as the Bell System?

2. What type of wood was used to manufacture the bookends?

3. What kind of perforations marked the tile?

4. What is the main material used to make the item?

5. How many years did the evening show go on?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the pendant found in the Inner Chamber. What is it made out of and what is the inscription?

2. What happened to Howard Carson after he returned to his former interest and research involving the camels?

3. When did Harriet meet her untimely demise? What happened?

4. Describe the Sacred Points Bookends. What are the bookends made out of and what uses might they have?

5. What is the real life description of the wall fragment found in the communal Sacred Urn room near the Great Sanctuary. Explain the real purpose of the so-called laborers' marks.

6. What is the description used for the paperweight in the Souvenirs and Quality Reproductions section?

7. What object was excavated just outside the area of the rusted sculptures? What did the excavators believe the signs were used for?

8. What was the main error in setting up the exhibit in the Museum? What problem did it cause? Whose fault was the error?

9. Who traveled along with the treasures? What was the purpose of traveling this way?

10. What item was recreated to resemble the mosaic ceiling tiles? What kind of container comes with the item?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Macaulay was very creative in coming up with alternate uses and meanings for all of the objects found in the Motel of the Mysteries. How do you think Macaulay managed to make up the items and still manage to be funny? What other objects might have been included in the text? Would you be able to come up with a similar scenario? Explain. What did the objects in the motel symbolize? Do you think the author had any specific idea in mind, such as relating specific items to religious affiliations? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Water is a common theme when researching ancient cultures. In the case of the Motel of the Mysteries, there are several sections that refer to the use of water, from the Inner Chamber to the pool area by the Great Courtyard. Discuss each item that can be related to water. Explain its real use, the use created for the book, and how each item works. Why is water so important? What can be learned about a culture's use of water? When was the first water vessel discovered? Where?

Essay Topic 3

Carson was mesmerized with wonder and fear when he first discovered Tomb #26. Which emotion was the strongest? How do you think Carson decided to forge ahead and open the door of the tomb? What did Carson expect to find behind the door? How would you feel in Carson's position? Would you open the door? What might you expect to find behind a locked door in an underground shaft?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 814 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample