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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Billy cry out a moment before his punishment is carried out?
(a) "Why has thou forsaken me?"
(b) "God bless Captain Vere!"
(c) "Be aware, all ye sinners!"
(d) "Handsomely done, my lads!"

2. What concerns the surgeon in chapter 20?
(a) The manner in which the captain is handling Claggart's death.
(b) The wounds to Billy's hand.
(c) The manner in which Claggart dies suddenly.
(d) The morale of the crew.

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

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

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

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

7. 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 captain of marines, and the sailing master.
(d) The first lieutenant, the master-at-arms, and the chief mate.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. How does Billy react to his impending doom?
(a) With anger.
(b) He curses.
(c) Calmly.
(d) By crying loudly.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Melville, what makes sailors different from non-sailors?

2. Why does the crew of the Bellipotent save pieces of the sacred item?

3. Where does the crew assemble in chapter 25?

4. What is "Billy in the Darbies"?

5. Where is Billy confined in chapter 24?

(see the answer keys)

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