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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. Where do the travelers decide to go in Chapter 55, even though their trip is supposed to be over?

2. How is Constantinople described when viewed from the ship?

3. What does the group rename the city of Ain Mellahah?

4. According to Twain, what is wrong with the coffee on the ship?

5. Who is a famous ancient person who had a part in the history of Ephesus?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the scene of the journey to Mary Magdalene's former home in the tiny, extremely impoverished village of Magdala. How do you think the group feels once it has seen Mary's home and is on its way out?

2. Twain and his friends are sure they are going to run into problems finding enough provisions for their trip to Damascus. What happens while their are in Lebanon to change their minds?

3. Twain finds himself quoting the writer of "Life in the Holy Land" referring to Palestine as monotonous and uninviting. However, Twain also offers his own description of Palestine. How does he feel about the area?

4. 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?

5. 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?

6. What is it about Odessa that pleasantly surprises Twain and the other passengers?

7. What are some of the challenges faced by Twain and his friends when trying to guide their donkeys to Ephesus?

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

9. On the one-year anniversary of the excursion, Twain returns to say an encore farewell. What does he say about the trip, and what advice does he give future excursionists?

10. After weeks of excitement, a bit of unstructured leisure is welcomed as the group heads home. What are some of the activities offered on board the ship for its guests' entertainment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Twain is very complimentary of several locations while others draw his ire not long after arrival. Which location do you feel is his favorite? Why? How does he describe this location? Which do you feel is his least favorite? Why? How does he describe this location?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

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