View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why do the pilgrims acquire the habit of pulling their guns from their holsters?
(a) To look like wild west cowboys.
(b) To ward off mosquitoes.
(c) To shoot imaginary Bedouins.
(d) None of the answers is correct.

2. What do the travelers do in the Arab mosque that not even the Arabs do?
(a) Speak.
(b) Remove their clothes.
(c) Step on the prayer mats with their shoes.
(d) Remove their shoes.

3. What do the travelers do in Odessa?
(a) Visit a religious shrine.
(b) Shop in the market.
(c) Eat ice cream.
(d) Ride mules.

4. What does Twain call Palestine?
(a) The king of kind citizenry.
(b) The blessing of the country.
(c) None of the answers is correct.
(d) The prince of dismal scenery.

5. What is Twain given in Smyrna that he puts under his hat?
(a) A little wax candle.
(b) A tiny crucifix.
(c) A slab of beef jerky.
(d) A bone from a martyr.

Short Answer Questions

1. What town in Russia is visited by the travelers?

2. Who asks Twain to write a summary of the excursion?

3. Where does the group set up camp in Nazareth?

4. How many people go ashore in Spain, even though they are under quarantine?

5. Twain says that everything is now measured in __________ instead of __________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Mark Twain is eager to oblige the New York Herald's request for a complimentary summary of the excursion . What does Twain do to make the document more readable and user friendly?

2. Despite his earlier cynicism, Twain's faith in the locations and objects of Jerusalem seems unshakable, and he even challenges the reader to prove several hypotheses false. What are some examples of this almost blind faith, and what reasoning does Twain give to justify his unwavering belief?

3. The first place that the pilgrims want to visit in Jerusalem is the Holy Sepulcher. What is the draw of this location?

4. Twain and the group have, to this point, been surrounded by foreigners with nothing to gain from the group but their money. Their experience with the Russians is happily different. What happens to make the group feel this way?

5. On a hill in Smyrna are layers of broken crockery and oyster shells. Twain is perplexed by who might have put these items in such an odd place. What are some of the possible origins for the shells and crockery given by Twain in Chapter 39?

6. Though most of the towns and villages on their pathway through the Holy Land are a disappointment to Twain, the city of Shechem is a pleasant surprise. Describe what makes Shechem so unique.

7. Despite many precautions, what disease does Twain contract, and what are his theories on how he contracted it?

8. In Chapter 60, Twain relates a humorous tale of an experience he had on the ship. What is the tale about, and how does it proceed?

9. Because the travelers are not permitted in Greece, they decide to move on to Turkey. What are some of the dubious customs of Turkey, and what does Twain say about those customs when comparing them to those of America?

10. Describe the chaos in Constantinople as seen by Twain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,123 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample