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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 items of Carson's were put outside to dry?

2. The inscriptions on the small relief were thought to represent which of the following?

3. What is the material used to make the new item?

4. What was wrong with the museum's director?

5. What pattern was impressed upon the object?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how the scientists viewed the mosaic tile. How was it decorated? Where was it typically found?

2. How does Carson describe the great courtyard? What was the purpose of the pool area?

3. What kind of sculptures were placed in this area? To who or what were the sculptures dedicated?

4. What was the main feature located in the sanctuary? How was the structure decorated?

5. What was the material used to create the coffee service? Where is it manufactured?

6. When did Harriet meet her untimely demise? What happened?

7. Describe the pendant found in the Inner Chamber. What is it made out of and what is the inscription?

8. What happened to Howard Carson after he returned to his former interest and research involving the camels?

9. Who traveled along with the treasures? What was the purpose of traveling this way?

10. Explain the unique design of the coffee service. What is the pot shape? What is the shape of the cups? How many cups are there to the set?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Macaulay was very creative in coming up with alternate uses and meanings for all of the objects found in the Motel of the Mysteries. How do you think Macaulay managed to make up the items and still manage to be funny? What other objects might have been included in the text? Would you be able to come up with a similar scenario? Explain. What did the objects in the motel symbolize? Do you think the author had any specific idea in mind, such as relating specific items to religious affiliations? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Howard Carson is painted as a ne'er do well in the beginning of the book. How did Carson make a living? What was the man's level of ambition? Why did Carson decide it was time to change his life? How did he propose to make changes? Were those goals accomplished? Did the effort to change cause Carson to land at the Motel of the Mysteries? How did Carson handle the discovery of the motel? Did Carson see the discovery as his destiny? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

In the beginning of the book it is mentioned that space craft had crashed due to the Pollutantus Gravitas. It was stated later than airplanes could not fly because of the density of the air. Research and write an essay on the flight requirements for a modern airplane. What kind of turbulence or pollution could cause a plan to crash or not to fly at all? Research the same about space craft. Does any of your research match the text? Explain.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 790 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample