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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 temples do the travelers visit in Baalbek?

2. What did the travelers rename Temin el Foka for ease of pronunciation?

3. What is the name of the gate the travelers pass on their way out of Jerusalem?

4. The travelers find themselves in the mountains of what area in Chapter 41?

5. Who do the travelers drop in on to say hello while they are in Odessa?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. The men come upon young Jack on the verge of destroying an innocent turtle. What is Jack's issue with the turtle, and what does that tell you about Jack's personality?

3. Twain notices something about the Russian emperor during their visit that makes the emperor appear even move down to earth and human. What does Twain notice?

4. As the caravan gets closer to Baalbek, Twain begins to tell relevant stories from the Bible. What stories does Twain relate, and how does he feel about the Syrians at this point in the story?

5. Though the excursion is now complete, Twain and several of his friends feel that there is something missing. Where do they decide to go and why?

6. The travelers finally reach Nazareth, once said to be home of the Holy Family. What does Twain do to try to make the significance of the place more real for him? Does his method appear to work?

7. 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?

8. Twain's caravan stops at a fountain for a rest period on its way to Damascus. What observation does Twain make at this fountain, and how does it make him feel?

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

10. 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.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Twain relates several legends during the trip, from entertainments to cautionary tales. What purpose do you think these legends serve? Do you think they are important to the story or extraneous? Why or why not? Select one such story and outline its importance to the story.

Essay Topic 2

In Smyrna, the group is confronted with a high hill awash with oyster shells and broken pottery. This appears to be an incredible source of consternation for Twain. Why do you think he obsesses so heavily over the origin of these objects so out of context? Do you think he, himself, feels so out of place that he must find a reason for the shells and pottery to justify his reason for being there? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe the tour through Jerusalem. What do you believe were highlights to Twain? What do you believe were lowlights? After the excitement built throughout the trip, do you think he is pleased, sorely disappointed, or somewhere in between? Why?

(see the answer keys)

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