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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which food is not mentioned as a staple on the boat?

2. Who falls into the sea?

3. Giles and Kit became so ill that they could only drink ____.

4. What is the name of the tavern owned by the husband and wife?

5. How is Torch related to Una?

Short Essay Questions

1. Examine the scene in which Una becomes temporarily blinded.

2. Una and Giles talk about climbing the topsail and feeling like birds out over the ocean. What happens to Giles the next day? What happens to Kit?

3. Discuss the conversation between Starbuck and Una.

4. Explain the relationship between Giles and Chester. Who makes the arrangements? How does Una use the arrangement to her advantage?

5. The Pequod finally arrives in Nantucket. What is promised by Ahab? Describe the actions of Kit and Una upon arrival. What strange occurrence happens when Kit and Una spend the night together?

6. Una begins to think about her future on Nantucket. What are some of Una's thoughts?

7. Ahab deals with Kit after his bout of dementia. What does Ahab do to try to keep Kit under control?

8. Discuss Una's relationships with Giles and Kit. How does Una feel about the men?

9. What information does Ahab have for Una about Kit? What is Una's reaction?

10. Una and Kit discuss the steps they took in order to stay alive while out at sea. What does the pair discuss?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Captain Ahab has an interesting relationship with the owners of the Pequod. The men seem to respect one another although there are times when they are in competition. Discuss how the mutual admiration benefits their working relationship. Explore how Ahab's skill and style of leadership has helped to make him a success. What is Ahab's background and how does it compare to the backgrounds of the other captains?

Essay Topic 2

Una and Frannie basically grew up as sisters. Discuss the relationship between Una and Frannie as children and then as adults. Who was the most grounded? Who was the most motivated? Who was the most intelligent? How did the relationship change after Una went away to sea?

Essay Topic 3

Naslund discusses the areas traveled by the various ships including the Sussex and the Pequod. Discuss the routes traveled by these ships as well as the common trade routes of the day. Examine the length of time it took the ships to travel the entire route and why some ships were gone years longer than others. Give a crew member's perspective and a captain's perspective on where a ship should travel and where the best opportunities lie for whaling. Compare those trade routes to ones commonly used today.

(see the answer keys)

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