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 does the group rename the city of Ain Mellahah?

2. What do the travelers do in the Arab mosque that not even the Arabs do?

3. Where do the travelers camp after leaving Damascus?

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

5. What were the people who were taken aboard the ship in Chapter 57 fleeing?

Short Essay Questions

1. On a hill in Smyrna are layers of broken crockery and oyster shells. Twain is perplexed by who might have put these items in such an odd place. What are some of the possible origins for the shells and crockery given by Twain in Chapter 39?

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

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

4. Mark Twain is eager to oblige the New York Herald's request for a complimentary summary of the excursion . What does Twain do to make the document more readable and user friendly?

5. 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?

6. Describe some of the historical areas that the group can see from the hill 1,200 feet above the Lake of Galilee.

7. Twain and his companions' awe at walking in Jesus' footsteps and perhaps touching the very surface he may have once touched continues. They come to the tiny village of Shunem. What is the village's main attraction for Twain?

8. The group finally reaches Damascus. How do the citizens of Damascus feel about Christians and why?

9. 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?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Shechem seems to be a very original place. Describe the people and atmosphere of Shechem. Why do you think the people follow the customs that they do? Compare/contrast the Mount of Blessings and the Mount of Curses. From what do you think their names originated? Why? Do you think Twain is impressed with Shechem and its people? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,093 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample