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 pattern was impressed upon the object?

2. The inscriptions on the small relief were thought to represent which of the following?

3. What was written on the object?

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

5. What item is given to each member of the crowd as part of the ceremony?

Short Essay Questions

1. In what way does Harriet show that she is still devoted to Carson?

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

3. What is the description given to the Sacred Seal? Where was it placed?

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

5. What was the main feature located in the sanctuary? How was the structure decorated?

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

7. What is the Great Altar? What is atop the Altar? What is the upper object's primary function?

8. How does Carson describe the great courtyard? What was the purpose of the pool area?

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

10. 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?

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

The excavators and workers in the story seem to have many ideas regarding the dead, from the body's eventual destination to the storage of internal organs. Examine the text to learn about the modern civilization's ideas about the ancient dead. Do any of the ideas seem feasible? Why do you think cultures are so fascinated with burial? Compare and contrast current options for burial to those of ancient times, e.g., Egyptians.

Essay Topic 3

In the beginning of the book it is mentioned that space craft had crashed due to the Pollutantus Gravitas. It was stated later than airplanes could not fly because of the density of the air. Research and write an essay on the flight requirements for a modern airplane. What kind of turbulence or pollution could cause a plan to crash or not to fly at all? Research the same about space craft. Does any of your research match the text? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 756 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample