From Life on the Mississipi

What was the only permanent ambition of Twain and his childhood friends?

• To become pirates

• To be soldiers

• To be steamboat men

• To join the circus

What event caused the town to 'wake up' in the story?

• The arrival of the mail

• A fire in the church

• The arrival of a steamboat

• The school bell ringing

What effect did the arrival of the steamboat have on the town's inhabitants?

• They hid in their homes out of fear

• Everyone ran to the dock with excitement

• They went to sleep

• They packed their bags to leave

How does Twain describe the steamboat?

• Rusty and broken

• Simple and plain

• Long, sharp, golden, and picturesque

• Small and crowded

Which of the following options best describes the tone Twain uses to describe the steamboat?

• Boring and uninterested

• Critical and angry

• Humorous and admiring

• Scared and gloomy

What is the meaning of the word 'dorada' as used in the story?

• Painted with silver

• Covered with a thin layer of gold

• Rusty or old

• Hidden from view

What type of job did Twain initially expect to get on a steamboat?

• Pilot

• Cabin boy

• Fireman

• Captain

Why was Twain jealous of the engineer's apprentice?

• He was the only one with a dog

• He had a job on a steamboat and bragged about it

• He owned the town's store

• He won a prize at school

What did Twain mean when he said the engineer 'swelled for the town'?

• He was injured and swollen

• He moved slowly

• He boasted and acted with importance

• He got lost frequently

What happened when the engineer apprentice's ship exploded?

• He died heroically

• He was never seen again

• He returned as a hero

• He stopped working on steamships