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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who prepares Billy's body for burial?
(a) Members of the drumhead court.
(b) The chaplain.
(c) The sailors on deck.
(d) Captain Vere.

2. Why does the Captain feel that Billy must be punished?
(a) Because someone must pay for Claggart's death.
(b) Because Billy is a malicious murderer.
(c) To prevent a mutiny.
(d) The captain is trying to cover up his own mistakes.

3. How does the article about the Bellipotent view Billy's death?
(a) As a justifiable punishment.
(b) As an unfortunate side effect of the keelhauling.
(c) As proof of his guilt.
(d) As proof of his weakness.

4. Who tells Billy of his sentence?
(a) The admiral.
(b) Captain Vere.
(c) The valet.
(d) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.

5. In chapter 18, which character does the captain consider promoting?
(a) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.
(b) The Dansker.
(c) John Claggart.
(d) Billy Budd.

6. Which animals appear at Billy's funeral?
(a) A flock of seagulls.
(b) A school of sharks.
(c) A school of dolphins.
(d) A pair of albatross.

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

8. Why doesn't the chaplain try to intervene on Billy's behalf?
(a) He feels that Billy deserves punishment.
(b) Because Billy does not talk to him.
(c) He is afraid of the captain.
(d) Military law is more powerful than his religious influence.

9. What happens to Captain Vere after he is wounded?
(a) He is court-martialed.
(b) He survives, but never commands another vessel.
(c) He remains on the island.
(d) He dies.

10. In chapter 18, which character reports suspicious behavior of a sailor to Captain Vere?
(a) John Claggart.
(b) The Dansker.
(c) Billy Budd.
(d) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.

11. What odd weather appears the moment of Billy's death?
(a) Heat lightning.
(b) A green sky.
(c) A vapory fleece.
(d) A rumbling storm.

12. Why does Billy hesitate when asked about his knowledge of a potential insurrection?
(a) He feels guilty about his involvement.
(b) He fears the afterguardsman kills him.
(c) He is afraid he stutters.
(d) He does not want to tattle on a fellow crew member.

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

14. What hits Captain Vere in chapter 28?
(a) A falling spar.
(b) A wayward jib.
(c) A dagger.
(d) A musket ball.

15. Where is Billy buried?
(a) On the shores of Timor.
(b) On the Isle of Mann.
(c) In England.
(d) At sea.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which two groups of people does Melville compare in chapter 16?

2. What does the Bellipotent chase in chapter 18?

3. Who is the only witness in the trial?

4. Where does Captain Vere send Billy after Claggart's death?

5. Why does the captain ask Claggart to confront Billy?

(see the answer keys)

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