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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What tool is used within the introductions to help the reader understand the time line of these stories?
(a) The Abbreviations.
(b) The Chronological Chart.
(c) The Sigla.
(d) The Flow Chart.

2. Who is Nergal's father?
(a) Ea.
(b) Ellil.
(c) Namtar.
(d) Dumuzi.

3. What does Ea advise Nergal to refrain from while in the Underworld?
(a) Singing.
(b) Mentioning the names of any other gods.
(c) Sleeping with Ereshkigal.
(d) Looking Ereshkigal in the eyes.

4. From which civilization do these myths originate?
(a) China.
(b) Rome.
(c) Greece.
(d) Mesopotamia.

5. Why is the author not entirely certain that Atrahasis sent an offering of peace to the gods to stop the flooding?
(a) It is unclear if Atrahasis sent a peace offering or a warning.
(b) There are too many versions of this story to know for sure.
(c) Some of the text is missing.
(d) Atrahasis denies doing it in the text.

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

7. Why does the author of this book believe it is necessary to understand where the stories of several different cultures originated?
(a) It helps to understand which cultures came first.
(b) It helps to understand the importance of working for onself.
(c) It helps to understand how women were once treated.
(d) It helps to understand the stories behind the legends.

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

9. What unique feature does this book use to help the reader understand these stories?
(a) It relates these stories to other, well-known tales.
(b) It offers a version of the stories in their original language.
(c) It offers several original pictures from the time period.
(d) It is fully annotated so that further research is accessible.

10. Who do the myths revolve around?
(a) The gods of China.
(b) The gods of Mesopotamia.
(c) The gods of Greece.
(d) The gods of Rome.

11. What offer does Gilgamesh refuse from Ishtar?
(a) Patronage.
(b) Divinity.
(c) Immortality.
(d) Marriage.

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

13. How does Shamash help Gilgamesh in his battle against Humbaba?
(a) Shamash tricks Humbaba into looking the wrong way.
(b) Shamash calls down the thirteen winds.
(c) Shamash convinces Humbaba that using weapons will be dishonorable to the gods.
(d) Shamash subdues Humbaba.

14. Which goddess creates Enkidu in order to bring down Gilgamesh's arrogance?
(a) Ishtar.
(b) Tiamat.
(c) Aruru.
(d) Ereshkigal.

15. How many gates must one pass through to reach Kurnugi?
(a) Five.
(b) Six.
(c) Ten.
(d) Seven.

Short Answer Questions

1. How must Nergal atone for his offense towards Namtar?

2. On what condition does Ereshkigal allow Ishtar entrance to Kurnugi?

3. When Nergal escapes from the Underworld, what do the gods demand be done to him?

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

5. What tool, in this book, explains how these myths came about?

(see the answer keys)

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