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. Marco Polo's descriptions of human history are ______________.

2. What gift was sent from one of the Tartar princes to the Roman Pontiff from the city of Chinchitalas?

3. The Polos survived ______________ for three years until Pope Clement died.

4. What could be found in the castle of Paipurth, which was located between Trebizond and Tauris?

5. How many sons did the grand khan have by his legitimate wives?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the grand khan have a new city built at Tai-du?

2. What does the narrator of Marco Polo's travels proclaim this book does?

3. Tell about the ceremony that took place when emperors or princes (grand khan's) were carried for interment to the mountain of Altai.

4. Describe the wives of the grand khan.

5. Tell about the custom of showing respect to strangers from the district of Kamul.

6. Describe the birthday of the grand khan.

7. According to Chapter 3, what three classes of inhabitants resided in Turkomania?

8. Why couldn't the Polos return to Constantinople? What did they do?

9. Why was Marco Polo sent as an emissary of the Great Kahn throughout the empire?

10. Why did the Great Khan send the Polos, with a baron, to the Pope?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Desert of Lop was vast and hard to cross. Compare and contrast the way Marco Polo crossed the Desert of Lop to the way you would have crossed the Desert of Lop during the Middle Ages.

Essay Topic 2

Formulate reasons why Marco Polo's book was then and is still today, an important historical book. Use examples from the text in your response and thesis statement.

Essay Topic 3

The grand khan usually stayed in the city of Kanbalu during December, January and February. Kanbalu was located toward the north-eastern part of the province of Cathay. The great palace was on the southern side of the new city. Explore possible reasons why the grand khan felt he needed to go to the city of Kanbalu for these particular months, and what possible benefit was there in staying at the great palace rather staying put where he was? Use Book 2, Chapter 6 as a reference.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,022 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample