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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) Captain Vere.
(b) The chaplain.
(c) The sailors on deck.
(d) Members of the drumhead court.

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

3. What is attributed to will power in chapter 26?
(a) A man's decision to witness death and stay on board.
(b) The captain's decision to proceed with Billy's punishment.
(c) The admiral's decision to proceed with Billy's punishment.
(d) The lack of death spasm in Billy's body.

4. What are Captain Vere's last words?
(a) "Billy Budd."
(b) "Handsome is as handsome does it."
(c) "Handsomely done, my lad!"
(d) "God bless Captain Vere."

5. In chapter 20, what does the surgeon want to do?
(a) Bury Claggart at sea.
(b) Leave the ship.
(c) Have a stiff drink.
(d) Follow standard procedure.

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

7. What is one explanation given for the odd nature of Billy's death?
(a) Innocence.
(b) Euthanasia.
(c) Justice.
(d) The weather.

8. Where are the real events that occur on the Bellipotent recorded?
(a) In the memories of those who witness them.
(b) In the chaplain's diary.
(c) In top secret naval records.
(d) In Captain Vere's diary.

9. To what do most of the crew attribute the odd circumstances surrounding Billy's death?
(a) Supernatural forces.
(b) The weather.
(c) No logical explanation is found.
(d) Mythical sea creatures.

10. Who encourages the court to consider the death penalty during Billy's trial?
(a) The first lieutenant
(b) Captain Vere.
(c) The master-at-arms.
(d) The captain of marines.

11. Why doesn't the surgeon question the captain's orders?
(a) Disobeying orders is mutiny.
(b) He has great respect for the captain.
(c) He is dim-witted and cannot see any problem.
(d) He fears the captain might shoot him.

12. What does the chaplain feel is better than religion for facing judgment?
(a) Innocence.
(b) Truth.
(c) Hope.
(d) Peace.

13. Where is John Claggart buried?
(a) England.
(b) The isle of Mann.
(c) At sea.
(d) The coast of Timon.

14. Why does the captain ask Claggart to confront Billy?
(a) To see which man is telling the truth.
(b) Confronting Billy breaks the captain's heart.
(c) Because he is afraid of Billy.
(d) To see if Claggart is brave enough for promotion.

15. 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 Claggart dies suddenly.
(d) The manner in which the captain is handling Claggart's death.

Short Answer Questions

1. In which article are the events on the Bellipotent published?

2. To what does Melville attribute the general attitude of most sailors?

3. In chapter 18, which character reports suspicious behavior of a sailor to Captain Vere?

4. Which character is the hammock-boy sent to find in chapter 18?

5. Who visits Billy in chapter 24?

(see the answer keys)

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