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. The ceiling was said to have been covered in what kind of tile?

2. Scientists were particularly fascinated with which of the following?

3. Because the containers were empty they are considered to be which of the following?

4. The Bell system was located next to a statue dedicated to what deity?

5. What was written on the object?

Short Essay Questions

1. What items were found lining the passageway between the tombs?

2. What was the purpose of the room filled with games?

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

4. Explain the unique design of the coffee service. What is the pot shape? What is the shape of the cups? How many cups are there to the set?

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

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

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

8. What kind of sculptures were placed in this area? To who or what were the sculptures dedicated?

9. What was the purpose of the small relief? What date was put onto the item? What was the purpose of the date?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Howard Carson is painted as a ne'er do well in the beginning of the book. How did Carson make a living? What was the man's level of ambition? Why did Carson decide it was time to change his life? How did he propose to make changes? Were those goals accomplished? Did the effort to change cause Carson to land at the Motel of the Mysteries? How did Carson handle the discovery of the motel? Did Carson see the discovery as his destiny? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Many of the artifacts in the Motel are linked by Carson and the workers to some form of religious ceremony. What would cause the workers to make those assumptions? What else could be related to the artifacts in lieu of religion? What religious artifacts do you think were used in society during Carson's time? Are religious artifacts more important as symbols of religion or are they more important as historical items? Also, how could Carson know which gods were associated each sacred item found in the hotel? Would you relate those things to the same gods? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The sacred items found in the book may be metaphors or symbols for other objects not listed. Choose at least five of the items and relate them to what you consider to be obvious metaphors. Why did you choose the item? What makes you think that the item is a metaphor or has some symbolic meaning to the author? Explain. What metaphors could you add to the story?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 793 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample