Life and Works of Sam Clemens

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. Clemens wrote, "When I was a boy, there was but one permanent ambition among us boys. That was to become ..." What did he want to become? a world famous writer a circus clown a newspaper editor a steamboat pilot

2. Most people are generally familiar with the premise of "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"; a level headed shop foreman is mysteriously transported to Camelot following a blow on the head. What was the name of the Yankee foreman? Henry Jones Hank Morgan William Stormfield Richard Sawyer

3. Clemens collaborated only once with another author on a novel. The novel was "The Gilded Age." Who was the other author? Brett Harte Charles Dudley Warner Joel Chandler Harris Petroleum V. Nasby

4. What work published under the name "Mark Twain" first brought Clemens national attention? Tom Sawyer The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County The Innocents Abroad The Prince and the Pauper

5. Where did the name "Mark Twain" come from? He was a boyhood friend of Clemens It is a term used in newspaper publishing It is a term used in rating tobacco It is a river term indicating "two fathoms"

6. What astronomical event took place in the year Clemens was born (1835) and the year he died (1910) Total eclipse of the sun over Missouri Halley's Comet appeared in the sky. The Northern Lights could be seen as far south as Florida Supernovae appeared in the sky

7. The Clemens' house was one of the first in Hartford to be equipped with what modern convenience? (Hint: it wasn't the only house with this device or it would not have been very useful) Telephone Indoor plumbing Television Elevator

8. Clemens wrote several humorous pieces about the daily life of a family loosely based on his own family. What name did he give to this semi-fictional family? McWilliams Michaelson Smith Clementine

9. In what city was Clemens residing when he passed away in April 1910? Elmira, New York New York City Hartford, Connecticut London, England

10. How did Clemens describe the profession of writing? It is awful slavery for a lazy man. The words just flow like honey from a jar. The art of writing is the art of applying the seat of your pants to the seat of the chair. I would rather write than do anything else.