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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the final tablet of the Epic of Gilgamesh, what does Enkidu offer to retrieve for Gilgamesh?
(a) A pomegranate seed.
(b) A toy.
(c) A sword.
(d) Shamhat.

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

3. 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 several original pictures from the time period.
(c) It offers a version of the stories in their original language.
(d) It is fully annotated so that further research is accessible.

4. After Gilgamesh passes through the mountains, what creatures does Gilgamesh mistakenly kill?
(a) The stone creatures.
(b) The Gorgons.
(c) The taklimtu.
(d) The Sebitti.

5. What gesture does Ninsun extend before Gilgamesh and Enkidu go to stop Humbaba?
(a) She disowns Gilgamesh so that he will carry no guilt of abandonment with him on his journey.
(b) She blesses Enkidu.
(c) She adopts Enkidu as another son.
(d) She asks Gilgamesh and Enkidu to pray with her.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the story of Ishtar, what version does the author use?

2. What does Atrahasis bring onto his boat besides people?

3. On what medium where these myths originally found?

4. In what tradition where these myths originally related?

5. What offer does Gilgamesh refuse from Ishtar?

Short Essay Questions

1. What reasons are given for the Mesopotamian myths becoming the basis of stories for several other cultures?

2. In the longer version of this story, what happens after Namtar fails to find Nergal outside of the Underworld?

3. According to the author, why is it important that people understand the origins of several well-known stories as well as knowing more about the time period from which these stories were born?

4. Where is the approximate location of Mesopotamia in the modern world?

5. How does Ishtar gain entrance into the Underworld?

6. After giving up on disease, how does Ellil try to keep the world from becoming overpopulated?

7. How do the fates of Dumuzi and Belili explain the seasons and rituals of Mesopotamia?

8. In the Armana version of the story of Nergal and Ereshkigal, what happens when Nergal goes to the Underworld?

9. What function does the man, Good-Looks, serve in this story?

10. How does Atrahasis initially save the world from ruin before the flood?

(see the answer keys)

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