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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. About what does Ea question Nergal upon the arrival of Namtar?
(a) Nergal did not bow to Namtar.
(b) Nergal spat on Namtar upon his arrival.
(c) Nergal refused to look Namtar in the eyes.
(d) Nergal slapped Namtar in the face.

2. When Namtar is sent from the Underworld to argue with the gods for Nergal's return, what does Ereshkigal reveal?
(a) She is dying.
(b) She was raped.
(c) She is pregnant.
(d) She has been planning on poisoning Nergal for his obstinance.

3. In the Armana version, what does Nergal do to Namtar when he reaches the final door to the Underworld?
(a) Namtar is trapped in an icy pond.
(b) Namtar is beheaded.
(c) Namtar is slapped in the face.
(d) Namtar is trapped in the forecourt.

4. What is Kurnugi?
(a) The Underworld.
(b) The collective temples of the gods.
(c) The gods' home.
(d) The sea.

5. What happens to the plant Gilgamesh took from the Apsu?
(a) It is stolen by a snake.
(b) It is eaten by Gilgamesh in a trick from Ishtar.
(c) It is stolen by Ishtar.
(d) It is lost in a storm.

6. What ritual takes place during Dumuzi's time in Kurnugi?
(a) Lying-in-state.
(b) Weddings.
(c) Funerals.
(d) Ritual cleansing.

7. After seven years of famine, to what does mankind resort?
(a) Eating dirt.
(b) Prostitution.
(c) Cannibalism.
(d) Warring.

8. What do the gods, at the end of Atrahasis's story, amend in every living human?
(a) Life span.
(b) Their soul.
(c) Free will.
(d) The ability to reason.

9. Who is Namtar?
(a) Ereshkigal's vizier.
(b) Ereshkigal's lover.
(c) Ereshkigal's judge.
(d) Ereshkigal's brother.

10. How many figures are contained within this book?
(a) Four.
(b) Two.
(c) Three.
(d) Five.

11. What goddess is said to have been the mother of Gilgamesh?
(a) Ereshkigal.
(b) Ishtar.
(c) Belet-ili.
(d) Lady Wild Cow.

12. What does Gilgamesh use to cross over the deadly water past the mountains and darkness?
(a) He simply swims it without taking a single breath the entire time.
(b) Three hundred wooden poles.
(c) A boat made from rocks.
(d) A giant leaf.

13. For what errand does Ea create the man called Good-Looks?
(a) Good-Looks is to torment Ishtar.
(b) Good-Looks is to distract Ereshkigal so that Ishtar may escape.
(c) Good-Looks is to fetch waters of life from Ereshkigal.
(d) Good-Looks is to reprimand Ereshkigal and Ishtar for their feud.

14. Why is Nergal sent to the Underworld?
(a) He is to judge the activities of the gods.
(b) He is to be whipped by Namtar.
(c) He is to send a message to Namtar from the gods about respect.
(d) He is to sacrifice himself to make amends for offending Namtar.

15. What purpose does the Sigla and Abbreviations section serve for this book?
(a) It describes, in-depth, characteristics of the text.
(b) It gives historical background to the story.
(c) It summarizes the work as a whole.
(d) It gives a time period in which these stories supposedly occurred.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Nergal travels to the Underworld, to what story is the description of his descent similar?

2. Why is the author not entirely certain that Atrahasis sent an offering of peace to the gods to stop the flooding?

3. What is unique about the plant Gilgamesh retrieves from the Apsu?

4. What tool is used within the introductions to help the reader understand the time line of these stories?

5. What is Ishtar's relationship to Ereshkigal?

(see the answer keys)

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