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

2. Which other characters has odd weather changes occur during his death?
(a) Admiral Nelson.
(b) Claggart.
(c) Captain Bligh.
(d) Jesus.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the crew assemble together in chapter 25?

2. What concerns the surgeon in chapter 20?

3. When is Billy due to be executed?

4. How does Billy respond to Claggart's accusation?

5. Who witnesses Billy's funeral?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Captain Vere view Billy before the foretopman is confronted with the accusation of mutiny?

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

3. How does Claggart's expression begin to betray his feelings in chapter 17?

4. How does Melville explain the trusting nature of most sailors?

5. How does Melville compare religion to righteous living?

6. How are the events that occur on the Bellipotent distorted on land?

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

8. Why are the events on the Bellipotent distorted in the naval chronicle?

9. What accusation does Claggart bring against Billy?

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

(see the answer keys)

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