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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the narrator of "The Piazza" travel to the spot in the mountains that he wants to see?
(a) On horseback.
(b) On foot.
(c) In a carriage.
(d) In a yawl.

2. Why does the narrator of "I and My Chimney" identify with his chimney?
(a) They are both. the center of attention.
(b) They are both obese old smokers.
(c) They are both tall and handsome.
(d) They are both an annoyance to the household.

3. What does Melville hope to do for the Marquis de Grandvin?
(a) Make him rich.
(b) Make him famous.
(c) Make him happy.
(d) Make him immortal.

4. How does the narrator of "The Apple-Tree Table" feel as his wife and daughters become more frightened?
(a) He feels numb.
(b) He feels more frightened than they.
(c) He feels worse.
(d) He feels braver.

5. What habit of the bachelors in the Temple does the narrator wish to introduce in his own country?
(a) Mulled wine.
(b) Toasts.
(c) Aperatifs.
(d) Snuff.

6. What emblem does John Gentian refuse to wear?
(a) Any Revolutionary War emblem.
(b) Any American flag.
(c) Any emblem of wealth.
(d) Any Civil War emblem.

7. What surprises Captain Delano when he first sees Benito Cereno's ship?
(a) The ship is giving a distress signal.
(b) The ship is in ill repair.
(c) The ship is bound for an uninhabited island.
(d) The ship doesn't fly the flag of any nation.

8. What does the narrator's wife think of his apprehension about the apple-tree table?
(a) She thinks he is making it up.
(b) She thinks he is trying to frighten her.
(c) She thinks he is crazy.
(d) She thinks he is drunk.

9. Who is Atufal?
(a) Babo's best friend.
(b) A chained slave.
(c) A complaining woman among the slaves.
(d) A leader of the slaves.

10. How does Captain Delano evaluate Babo when he first meets him?
(a) Captain Delano evaluates Babo as woefully ignorant.
(b) Captain Delano evaluates Babo as uncomfortably familiar.
(c) Captain Delano evalutes Babo as vaguely threatening.
(d) Captain Delano evalutes Babo as a devoted companion.

11. Why does John Gentian take "liberties with etiquette"?
(a) He is concerned with larger issues.
(b) He is straightforward and impulsive.
(c) He is rude and thoughtless.
(d) He is unlearned.

12. What effect does the Marquis de Grandvin have on those around him?
(a) His presence is confusing.
(b) His presence is enriching.
(c) His presence is irritating.
(d) His presence is embarrassing.

13. Why does the narrator of "The Piazza" believe the soil is richer around the cottage that he finds?
(a) There is more sunlight there.
(b) The owners have planted there.
(c) The garden is obviously well-fed there.
(d) There is a sense of blessedness there.

14. What does John Gentian say are caused by stirring deeds?
(a) Stirring thoughts.
(b) Stirring songs.
(c) Stirring novels.
(d) Stirring rhymes.

15. To what did Captain Delano attribute Benito Cereno's ineffectiveness as captain?
(a) Youth, sickness, and gentility.
(b) Foolhardy disregard for good advice.
(c) Ignorance, pride, and stubbornness.
(d) Cruelty, harshness, and unkindness.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the narrator in "The Fiddler" do with his manuscripts?

2. What caused the loss of Jimmy Rose's fortune?

3. What disease does Captain Delano learn has swept off much of the crew and cargo of slaves?

4. What does the narrator decide to give the apple-tree table when he first discovers it?

5. What first alarms the narrator about the apple-tree table?

(see the answer keys)

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