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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. Whom do the officers want to contact?
(a) The Queen.
(b) The master-at-arms.
(c) The admiral.
(d) The captain.

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

3. What appears to end in chapter 17?
(a) The dirty tricks.
(b) The journey.
(c) Billy and Claggart's friendship.
(d) The storm.

4. How does Captain Vere treat Billy in chapter 22?
(a) He breates his behavior.
(b) With compassion.
(c) He ignores Billy's presence.
(d) With contempt.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. In chapter 20, what does the surgeon want to do?

2. Which other characters has odd weather changes occur during his death?

3. What is "Billy in the Darbies"?

4. To which biblical figure does Melville compare Claggart?

5. What does the chaplain give Billy in chapter 24?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Billy react to Claggart's accusation?

2. What misgivings do the surgeon and the other officers have about Billy's impending trial?

3. What explanation does Billy give for being called to the captain's cabin in chapter 19?

4. Why doesn't Billy confront the afterguardsman or Claggart about any of the incidents that occurs?

5. How do the sailors of the Bellipotent honor Billy's memory?

6. How does Captain Vere explain Billy's execution to the crew?

7. What irony is evident in the nature of Captain Vere's death?

8. What religious event compares to Billy's funeral?

9. Describe Billy's funeral.

10. Why does Billy refuse to believe that Claggart is orchestrating the events that are plaguing him?

(see the answer keys)

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