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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What uncomfortable incident occurs in chapter 10?
(a) The entire crew is disciplined for one sailor's error.
(b) Soup is spilled when the ship lurches.
(c) An empty bucket rolls down the gangplank and hits the captain.
(d) The topsail rips in a sudden gust of wind.

2. What other name is a reference to Captain Vere?
(a) Hallifax.
(b) Bligh's player.
(c) Fairfax.
(d) Jonsey.

3. How do Captain Vere's officers view their commander's seafaring skills?
(a) Riddled with inconsistencies.
(b) Superior.
(c) Poor.
(d) Average.

4. How do the other sailors react to Claggart in chapter 10?
(a) They are fearfully silent.
(b) They laugh the incident off as a joke.
(c) They quickly man their stations.
(d) They erupt into a violent melee.

5. How do Captain Vere's officers view their commander's personality?
(a) Dry and bookish.
(b) Paranoid and superstitious
(c) Obnoxious and temperamental..
(d) Relaxed and friendly.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Billy never do before?

2. Which two characters are contrasted in chapter 12?

3. What attitude does Captain Vere gain from his studies?

4. Which types of historical figures are often compared to Billy?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. What changes the face of naval warfare in the 18th century?

2. Who is the Dansker and how does he help Billy?

3. How does deception destroy both Claggart and Billy?

4. Describe Billy Budd.

5. Why is Claggart "down" on Billy?

6. How does Billy's threat of physical force when confronted by the afterguardsman foreshadow his downfall?

7. Who is Squeak?

8. How does the social climate on board a ship compare to the social climate on land?

9. What is a mutiny?

10. Who is the afterguardsman?

(see the answer keys)

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