1a. Why did Sam (Mark Twain) and his pals 1b. Explain why the job of cub engineer might
despise the cub engineer so much?
not have been as glorious as the boys
imagined
2a. Describe Hannibal, Missouri, in the riverboat 2b. Life on the Mississippi was written after
the Civil War, in a time of great expansion
and industrial change. Why might Twain's
description of Hannibal have appealed to
readers?
days.
3a. State the tasks involved in the job steam-
boatman. Which task was the most desir-
able? Why?
3b. What seems to be the main reason the boys
wanted to work on a steamboat?
4a. What parts of the story are exaggerations?
4b. Which lines or parts from Twain's memoir
do you find humorous?
5a. Trace how Twain's experience as a riverboat
pilot is evident in this selection.
5b. If you were to write your memoirs, what
special knowledge could you share with
your readers?