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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is a drumhead court?
(a) A formal legal hearing in the presence of an admiral.
(b) Slang for a mob.
(c) Slang for a meeting in the captain's quarters.
(d) An informal legal hearing held at sea.

2. Which character is the hammock-boy sent to find in chapter 18?
(a) The Dansker.
(b) John Claggart.
(c) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.
(d) Billy Budd.

3. What astonishes Captain Vere about the report he receives in chapter 18?
(a) John Claggart is named as a conspirator.
(b) Billy Budd is named as a conspirator.
(c) The albatross is sitting on the topmast.
(d) He thinks the Bellipotent is the fastest ship on the water.

4. How does Billy die?
(a) He is shot.
(b) He is hung.
(c) He walks the plank.
(d) He bleeds to death.

5. Which character stares at Billy with a meditative and melancholy expression in chapter 17?
(a) John Claggart.
(b) The afterguardsman.
(c) The Dansker.
(d) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.

6. Why does the crew of the Bellipotent save pieces of the sacred item?
(a) To worship.
(b) To honor Captain Vere.
(c) They believe it prevents mutiny.
(d) They don't think Billy is capable of murder or mutiny.

7. When is Billy due to be executed?
(a) In the early morning watch.
(b) As soon as the ship lands.
(c) After a legal trial on shore.
(d) At midnight.

8. What does one of Billy's fellow sailors create as a tribute to his fallen shipmate?
(a) A poem.
(b) A sculpture.
(c) A plaque.
(d) A medallion.

9. In the article about the Bellipotent, how is John Claggart presented?
(a) As a misunderstood officer.
(b) As an honest, hard working victim.
(c) As a foreigner who is conscripted into the navy.
(d) As a hero who discovers a mutinous plot.

10. What item from the Bellipotent becomes sacred to the crew?
(a) The torn topsail.
(b) The spar.
(c) The jib.
(d) The medallion.

11. How does Captain Vere treat Billy in chapter 22?
(a) He breates his behavior.
(b) He ignores Billy's presence.
(c) With contempt.
(d) With compassion.

12. Who is a part of the drumhead court in chapter 21?
(a) The first lieutenant, the captain of marines and the master-at-arms.
(b) The chief mate, the master-at-arms, and a boatswain.
(c) The first lieutenant, the master-at-arms, and the chief mate.
(d) The first lieutenant, the captain of marines, and the sailing master.

13. What concerns the officers in chapter 20?
(a) The morale of the crew.
(b) The impending storms on the horizon.
(c) The manner in which the captain is handling Claggart's death.
(d) The manner in which Claggart dies suddenly.

14. Which two groups of people does Melville compare in chapter 16?
(a) Sailors and Landsmen.
(b) Army soldiers and Naval sailors.
(c) Men and Women.
(d) Officers and Deckhands.

15. Where is Billy taken in chapter 19?
(a) The kitchen.
(b) The brig.
(c) The captain's cabin.
(d) Offshore.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which animals appear at Billy's funeral?

2. Which two characters begin to suspect Billy of wrongdoing?

3. Where is Billy confined in chapter 24?

4. How does Claggart die?

5. What does Billy cry out a moment before his punishment is carried out?

(see the answer keys)

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