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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What do the Peruvian listeners force the storyteller to do to prove his story is true?
(a) Cross his heart.
(b) Produce another witness.
(c) Swear on the Bible.
(d) Show some evidence.

2. What are the two failings the narrator sees in his middle-aged scrivener?
(a) Indigestion and messiness.
(b) A bad temper and gambling.
(c) Dishonesty and ambition.
(d) Ambition and indigestion.

3. What office does the narrator of Bartleby hold that no longer exists?
(a) Mayor.
(b) Master of Chancery.
(c) Justice of the Peace.
(d) County Coroner.

4. Why does the captain fear to shoot Steelkilt for his insubordination?
(a) It would spark a mutiny.
(b) It would justify Radney's dishonorable actions.
(c) It would lead to a admiralty investigation.
(d) It would be unfair.

5. What famous person expressed a good opinion of the narrator of Bartleby?
(a) John Jacob Astor.
(b) John D. Rockefeller.
(c) Andrew Carnegie.
(d) Theodore Roosevelt.

6. What does Steelkilt threaten to do if he is flogged by the captain?
(a) Murder the captain.
(b) Jump overboard.
(c) Tell the admiralty board of review.
(d) Seek an unnamed revenge.

7. What object does the lookout spot that takes Melville's ship to Norfolk Isle?
(a) An American flag.
(b) A handkerchief.
(c) A burning fire.
(d) A white bird.

8. What is unusual about the pork at the Coulters' dinner table?
(a) It is not really pork.
(b) It is last year's.
(c) It is only hides.
(d) It is only fat and gristle.

9. How does Merrymusk convince the narrator that he is a rich man?
(a) He has a rooster worth five hundred dollars.
(b) He has a large family.
(c) He has a large tract of land.
(d) He has a barn full of hay.

10. Why does the captain decide not to flog Steelkilt?
(a) He suddenly feels the menace of the rest of the crew.
(b) He suddenly feels ashamed of his own behavior.
(c) Steelkilt makes an inaudible threat.
(d) He suddenly feels sorry for Steelkilt.

11. How does the narrator describe the men who work the Erie Canal?
(a) They are sneaky and subtle.
(b) They are picturesquely wicked.
(c) They are strong and virtuous.
(d) They are mild and calm.

12. How does the narrator of "The Two Temples" attend the meeting at the church?
(a) He sneaks into the foyer.
(b) He disguises himself as the bell ringer.
(c) He hides in the bell tower.
(d) He bribes the man who guards the door.

13. What does Melville say is the most populous species on the island of Albermarle?
(a) Snakes.
(b) People.
(c) Lizards.
(d) Spiders.

14. What does the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?" believe the rooster's crow is saying?
(a) Beware!
(b) Glory be to God in the highest!
(c) Hello!
(d) Hark!

15. With what weapon does Radney threaten Steelkilt?
(a) A rope.
(b) A knife.
(c) A hammer.
(d) A gun.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does a scrivener do?

2. What age is the narrator of Bartleby?

3. What good qualities does Bartleby have as an employee?

4. Where does the narrator in The Town-Ho's story tell his tale?

5. Why does Coulter come home for lunch?

(see the answer keys)

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