Life-Changing Journeys: Analyzing Author's Purpose and Perspective in a Travelogue Flashcards

Read the excerpt from chapter 8 of The Travels of Marco Polo.

And let me tell you something else. They have sheep here that have no ears, nor even ear-holes; but in the place where ears ought to be they have little horns. They are small creatures and very pretty. And here is something else that may strike you as marvelous: their domestic animals—sheep, oxen, camels, and little ponies—are fed on fish. They are reduced to this diet because in all this country and in all the surrounding regions there is no grass; but it is the driest place in the world.

Which detail from the passage best shows a subjective perspective?

1. "They have sheep here that have no ears."
2. "They are . . . very pretty."
3. "Their domestic animals . . . are fed on fish."
4. "In all this country . . . there is no grass."

Read the excerpt from The Travels of Marco Polo and study the map.

When the traveler leaves Kuh-banan he goes for fully eight days through a desert. . . . After these eight days he reaches a province called Tun and Kain, where there are cities and towns in plenty. It is situated on the northern borders of Persia. There is an immense plain here, in which stands the Solitary Tree, which the Christians call the Dry Tree.

Based on the excerpt and the map, what makes the journey to Kain difficult?

1. the Kais Sea
2. travel through Shiraz
3. mountains and dry conditionsthe
4. Dry Tree plains

Which statement best defines a travelogue?

1. A travelogue is the place in which a fictional story or a play is set.
2. A travelogue is a piece of writing or a lecture about a trip or journey.
3. A travelogue is an informational text describing a particular country's culture.
4. A travelogue is an essay that compares and contrasts two cultures.

Which literary elements typically appear in a travelogue? Select three options.

1. an argument supported with reasons and evidence
2. a person's account of his or her experiences
3. a description of imaginary places and events
4. descriptions of sights, cultures, climates, and lands
5. drawings, photographs, maps, or memorabilia

What are the main purposes of a travelogue? Select three options.

1. to inform readers about a place, landscape, or culture
2. to persuade readers to visit a certain location
3. to convince readers that something is true
4. to describe the ideas of a famous historical figure to readers
5. to entertain readers with stories of a journey

Read the excerpt from chapter 8 of The Travels of Marco Polo.

This province produces great quantities of excellent white incense, and also dates in great abundance. No grain is grown here except rice, and not much of that; but it is imported from abroad at a big profit. Fish is plentiful, notably tunnies of large size, which are so abundant that two of them can be bought for a Venetian groat. The staple diet consists of rice, meat, and fish.

What is the author’s reason for writing this text?

1. to persuade the reader to follow a certain diet
2. to convince the reader to travel to Shihr
3. to inform the reader about the products and foods that a region offers
4. to entertain the reader with stories about what the author has bought

Read the excerpt from chapter 8 of The Travels of Marco Polo.

Many marketable commodities are produced here. And many ships come here laden with cloth of gold and various silken fabrics, and much else besides that I will not attempt to specify, and exchange them for local products. They arrive and depart with full cargoes and the merchants make a handsome profit on the transaction.

Why does the author include information about trade in this text?

1. to convince readers to visit the region to buy products
2. to illustrate the wealth and commercial success of the region
3. to describe why he wants to live in the region
4. to encourage readers to move to the region