View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is Billy Budd?
(a) A young native African who dresses in colorful clothes.
(b) A thief and troublemaker.
(c) The captain of the HMS Bellipotent.
(d) A young fair-skinned, blue eyed foretopman.

2. What is Billy and Claggart's relationship like before they sail together on the Bellipotent?
(a) They are friends until Billy falls in love with Claggart's sister.
(b) They are bitter enemies since childhood.
(c) They are close friends in childhood, but later drift apart.
(d) The do not know each other before sailing on the Bellepotent.

3. What elements of ship's life are mirrored in the world outside the ship?
(a) Storms are balanced with calm days.
(b) Life is unfair.
(c) People only obey when forced to do so.
(d) Terror rules the masses.

4. Which two characters are contrasted in chapter 12?
(a) Captain Vere and Claggart.
(b) The Dansker and Red Whiskers.
(c) Captain Vere and Lieutenant Ratcliffe.
(d) Billy and Claggart.

5. Which character does Squeak play tricks on?
(a) Billy.
(b) Captain Vere.
(c) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.
(d) Claggart.

Short Answer Questions

1. In chapter 14, what does Billy say to the sailor?

2. Why does Melville claim that certain men are morally depraved?

3. Who is Squeak?

4. What other name is a reference to Captain Vere?

5. What event motivates Billy to excel in his duties?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe Billy's background.

2. How do the sailors on board the Bellipotent view John Claggart?

3. Which one of the seven deadly sins drives Claggart to destroy Billy?

4. What is Billy's one flaw?

5. Who is Starry Vere?

6. What is a mutiny?

7. Why is Claggart "down" on Billy?

8. How does the scourging affect Billy?

9. Describe Captain Vere.

10. What does Claggart mean when he says, "Handsomely done, my lad! And handsome is as handsome does it, too!" ?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,028 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample