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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 meeting in the captain's quarters.
(c) An informal legal hearing held at sea.
(d) Slang for a mob.

2. How does Captain Vere appear after he leaves Billy in chapter 22?
(a) Happy.
(b) Resigned to fate.
(c) Nonchalant.
(d) Sad.

3. According to Melville, what makes sailors different from non-sailors?
(a) Sailors are natural liars.
(b) Sailors do not trust others easily.
(c) Sailors are more trusting.
(d) Sailors have more freedom.

4. Who is allowed to communicate with Billy in chapter 23?
(a) The chaplain.
(b) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.
(c) Red Whiskers.
(d) The Dansker.

5. What time is dogwatch?
(a) 3:00 a.m.
(b) 3:00 p.m.
(c) 6:00 p.m.
(d) 6:00 a.m.

6. What event occurs after Billy's funeral?
(a) An attack by a Spanish frigate.
(b) A mutiny.
(c) The customary morning religious service.
(d) A shipwreck.

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

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

9. What is "Billy in the Darbies"?
(a) A ballad honoring Billy's memory.
(b) An article on Billy's planned mutiny.
(c) A painting honoring Billy's memory.
(d) A sculpture honoring Billy's memory.

10. What excuse does Billy give for hitting Claggart?
(a) He is unable to speak.
(b) He is bi-polar.
(c) He is told to do so by the afterguardsman.
(d) Claggart threatens to kill him.

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

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

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

14. Who visits Billy in chapter 24?
(a) The Dansker.
(b) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.
(c) Red Whiskers.
(d) The chaplain.

15. Who is the only witness in the trial?
(a) Billy Budd.
(b) Claggart.
(c) The captain.
(d) The valet.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is unusual about Billy's death?

2. To what famous item does Melville compare the sacred item from the Bellipotent?

3. What appears to end in chapter 17?

4. In chapter 25, what does the crew cry in unison?

5. In chapter 23, when is the crew called together?

(see the answer keys)

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