30 Questions
Which pen name did Samuel Langhorne Clemens use?
Mark Twain
Which novel has often been called the 'Great American Novel'?
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Where was Samuel Langhorne Clemens raised?
Hannibal, Missouri
What was the occupation of Samuel Langhorne Clemens before becoming a writer?
Typesetter
In what year was 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' published?
1865
Which writer referred to Mark Twain as 'the father of American literature'?
William Faulkner
Which novel did Samuel Langhorne Clemens co-write with Charles Dudley Warner?
The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today
Which organization did Mark Twain become vice-president of, and later strongly oppose the Philippine-American War?
American Anti-Imperialist League
What venture did Mark Twain invest in that caused him to file for bankruptcy?
Paige Compositor
In which town did Mark Twain spend his childhood, which later inspired the fictional town of St. Petersburg in his novels?
Hannibal, Missouri
What was Mark Twain's father's occupation?
Attorney and judge
Which river was Hannibal, Missouri located on, inspiring Mark Twain's writings about river life?
Mississippi River
What was Mark Twain's real name?
Samuel Langhorne Clemens
What was the occupation Mark Twain aspired to have during his boyhood?
Pilot
During his time as a steamboat pilot, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) had to familiarize himself with the landmarks and obstacles on the Mississippi River for how many miles?
1200 miles
How much did Horace E. Bixby charge Mark Twain to teach him the river between New Orleans and St. Louis?
$500
What inspired Mark Twain's interest in parapsychology?
A dream
How long did it take Mark Twain to receive his pilot's license?
2 years
What was the significance of Mark Twain's pen name?
It referred to a measured river depth
Who did Mark Twain serve with on the steamer A. B. Chambers?
Grant Marsh
Where did Mark Twain go to work for his brother Orion after leaving the river?
Nevada
Where did Mark Twain become a miner on the Comstock Lode?
Virginia City, Nevada
Where did Mark Twain work at the Virginia City newspaper Territorial Enterprise?
Virginia City, Nevada
When did Mark Twain first use his pen name 'Mark Twain'?
February 3, 1863
Which book did Mark Twain write based on his experiences in the American West?
Roughing It
Where did Mark Twain move to in 1864?
San Francisco, California
When was Mark Twain's humorous tall tale 'The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County' published?
November 18, 1865
Where did Mark Twain travel to as a reporter for the Sacramento Union?
Hawaii
Which book did Mark Twain write based on his travel letters?
The Innocents Abroad
Where did Mark Twain meet Charles Langdon, who showed him a picture of his sister Olivia?
New York City
Study Notes
Mark Twain's Life and Career
- Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.
- He was raised in Hannibal, Missouri, a town located on the Mississippi River.
- His father was a judge, and Mark Twain aspired to become a steamboat pilot during his boyhood.
- He worked as a steamboat pilot on the Mississippi River for two years, familiarizing himself with the landmarks and obstacles on the river for 1,200 miles.
- He received his pilot's license after 18 months of training.
- Mark Twain's pen name was inspired by the term used by steamboat captains to indicate the water was two fathoms deep, a safe depth for navigation.
Writing Career
- Mark Twain's first published work was "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County" in 1867.
- He co-wrote "The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today" with Charles Dudley Warner.
- William Faulkner referred to Mark Twain as "the father of American literature".
- Mark Twain's novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" is often called the "Great American Novel".
Travels and Experiences
- Mark Twain traveled to the American West as a miner on the Comstock Lode in Nevada.
- He worked at the Virginia City newspaper Territorial Enterprise.
- He traveled to Hawaii as a reporter for the Sacramento Union.
- He wrote "Roughing It" based on his experiences in the American West.
Personal Life
- Mark Twain invested in a typesetting machine venture that caused him to file for bankruptcy.
- He became vice-president of the Anti-Imperialist League and later strongly opposed the Philippine-American War.
- He met Charles Langdon, who showed him a picture of his sister Olivia, and later married her.
- Mark Twain's interest in parapsychology was inspired by a lecture by Helena Blavatsky.
Test your knowledge of Mark Twain's classic novel "Life on the Mississippi" with this quiz! Explore the world of riverboat pilots, their prestigious role, and the challenges they faced. Dive into the fascinating details of the Mississippi River and its treacherous obstacles. How much do you know about this iconic American literary work? Find out now!
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