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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What causes Billy to lose his voice on occasion?

2. In chapter 14, how does Billy react to the sailor's request?

3. How does John Claggart earn his promotions?

4. Who is Billy's father?

5. How is John Claggart's appearance described in chapter eight?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a mutiny?

2. Who is Starry Vere?

3. What advice does the Dansker give Billy about his confrontation with the afterguardsman?

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

5. What is the first recorded mutiny in the British navy?

6. What is a "Handsome Sailor"?

7. What incident is the catalyst for Billy's demise?

8. Describe John Claggart.

9. Describe Admiral Nelson.

10. How does deception destroy both Claggart and Billy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Provide a brief description of the following literary elements the novel: Introduction, rising action, climax, falling action and denouement (resolution). How does emotion affect the progression of each element?

Essay Topic 2

What role does the Dansker play in the novel? How does Billy view the Dansker? How does the Dansker view Billy? Why does Dansker feel the need to clarify the events around Billy without offering advice on how to cope with those events?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the difference between reporting illicit activities and tattling. Which factors prevent Billy from reporting the afterguardsman to the captain? What effect does not reporting the incident have on Billy's character? How might the outcome of the novel be different if Billy had chosen to report the afterguardsman to his superiors?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,080 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample