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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the most common tour guide speech in Chapter 7 regarding?

2. What decorates the vault beneath the small church in Rome?

3. What is the problem with the bartender in the bar advertising "ALL MANNER OF AMERICAN DRINKS ARTISTICALLY PREPARED HERE"?

4. What item interests Twain most in Rome after visiting the Coliseum?

5. What excursion tempts the travelers from their fatigue after their visit to Naples?

Short Essay Questions

1. Twain is a bit contradictory in his opinions of the French. Outline Twain's opinions and theorize why he might feel that way.

2. After their visit to Versailles, the travelers return to find that a "great battle" has taken place on the ship, and they have missed the events. What was the battle about, and who were the participants?

3. What particularly gruesome item is the group confronted with when it visits the Cathedral of Milan? How does Twain react to this artifact and why?

4. We are introduced to a character called the Oracle. How did he earn this moniker? How do Twain and his shipmates feel about this man?

5. Twain's first exposure to another people is when he lands in the Azores Islands. He listens to the people speaking Portuguese and scoffs at the many beggars. What is his first impression of the people of the Azores, and why do you think he feels the way he does about them?

6. What observation does Twain make that seems unlikely in the heavily Christian city of Rome?

7. Why does Twain use an advertisement, rather than his own words, to describe the grand excursion?

8. Twain is fascinated with Tangier. Its very foreignness entertains him inestimably. Why do you think Tangier has such an impact on Twain?

9. What is the legend associated with the Grotto Del Cane? From what event did this legend arise?

10. Twain has not been very complimentary to the cities/countries he has visited so far, and Italy is doomed to the same fate so far in Chapter 20. He lumps Italy with the other disappointments he has experienced up until that time. What indication does Twain give that he is unhappy with Italy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Twain is sorely disappointed by cultural misconceptions. What examples can you give of such misconceptions in the story?

Essay Topic 2

Twain is a travel writer at this point. Does his writing style strike you as that of a travel writer? Why or why not? Do you think he is fair and impartial with each location he visits? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Compare/contrast the group's journey through the Holy Land to their journey through France. Though there are some very similar encounters/situations, the Holy Land tour appears to be more appealing to the group overall. What factors do you think contribute to the group's favoring the Holy Land over France? Or, if you believe the opposite to be true, explain why and site examples from the text to support your answers.

(see the answer keys)

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