View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What color are the gondolas painted?

2. What is the first site the group visits in Chapter 14?

3. What does Twain think about the people of Marseilles?

4. What is considered the most sought-out city of the excursion?

5. What is the name of the cave in which it is said that dogs go to sleep and never wake up?

Short Essay Questions

1. What impresses Twain about St. Peter's?

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

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

4. Compare/contrast Twain's first opinion of Venice to his opinion after he arrives at the Grand Canal.

5. 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?

6. Stuck waiting in the tiny town of Annunciation, Twain and his companions decide to attend the theater to see a famous singer perform. What happens at the performance? What does this event do for Twain's opinion of the people who have attended?

7. Venice seems to bring out a flurry of emotions in Twain. He is at first disappointed then excited, and in Chapter 23, eventually bored. Why is Twain eventually bored?

8. In Chapter 2, Twain's excitement about the trip is abundantly clear. He visits the registration office frequently for numerous reasons. Do you think his excitement is only because of the upcoming journey, or do you think there are other factors?

9. The romantic story of Heloise and Abelard is given a large section in Chapter 15. The entire chapter is nearly taken up by the story, despite the focus given to a cemetery. Why do you think Twain chose to include this story?

10. Mark Twain chooses to insert some of his well-known humor in his story about the group's capers in Athens. What purpose do you think the humor has in this chapter?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The ship is quarantined at or away from the dock more often than not. What is the reason for this? Do you believe it is a necessary precaution? Why or why not? How do the passengers react? When some sneak off the boat to visit the country anyway, do you feel their act is immoral, if not reckless? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Twain uses other people's words to write his article at times. For example, when in Nazareth, he copies an extract from the Apocryphal New Testament. Why do you think he does this? Twain doesn't strike one as a person in want of words, so why is it important to note that he does quote other writers?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the scene between Jack and the turtle. What does this story tell you about Jack's character? Do you think he is gullible or simply not very smart? Why? Why do you think the preacher tells him that story in the first place? Do you think Jack truly believes it? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,145 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample