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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Melville call the government the Creole soldier established on St. Charles?
(a) A riotocracy.
(b) A theocracy.
(c) A monarchy.
(d) A democracy.

2. What animal from the islands supplies sailors with food and utensils?
(a) The albatross.
(b) The iguana.
(c) The tortoise.
(d) The seal.

3. What two characteristics does Melville attribute to the islands of the Encantadas?
(a) Silence and serenity.
(b) Fascination and charm.
(c) Solitude and desolation.
(d) Beauty and peace.

4. Why does the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?" believe he should not be sued?
(a) His creditor is a grumpy person.
(b) He is a hospitable, generous man.
(c) His debt was unfairly imposed.
(d) His interest payments are exorbitant.

5. How does the narrator get into the London theater presentation?
(a) He sneaks in a side door.
(b) A stranger gives him a ticket.
(c) He pawns his overcoat to buy a ticket.
(d) He finds a ticket on the sidewalk.

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

7. What country possessed the Encantadas at the time Melville wrote?
(a) Colombia.
(b) Chile.
(c) Bolivia.
(d) Peru.

8. What surprises the narrator when he goes to his office on a Sunday?
(a) Bartleby has invited friends to the office.
(b) Bartleby has been working on the weekend.
(c) Bartleby has been living there.
(d) Bartleby has stolen his things.

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

10. Where does the narrator in The Town-Ho's story tell his tale?
(a) On the deck of the Town-Ho.
(b) The Cape of Good Hope.
(c) On the deck of the Pequod.
(d) Lima, Peru.

11. How does the narrator describe life on the sea as compared to farming or working the Erie Canal?
(a) Sea life is "quietly Christian."
(b) Sea life is "reckless and barbaric."
(c) Sea life is "calm and pure."
(d) Sea life is "daring and brave."

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

13. What did the failure of his invention do for the uncle in "The Happy Failure?"
(a) Made him furious.
(b) Made him a good man.
(c) Made him disappointed.
(d) Made him more determined.

14. What was the message of the church meeting the narrator observed?
(a) "Ye are the salt of the earth."
(b) "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's."
(c) "Repent and be saved."
(d) "Hide not your light under a bushel."

15. How is the narrator punished for sneaking into the church?
(a) He is warned and set free.
(b) He is imprisoned.
(c) He is jailed overnight and fined.
(d) He is publicly embarrassed, but pardoned.

Short Answer Questions

1. With what weapon does Radney threaten Steelkilt?

2. Why doesn't the narrator dismiss Bartleby for insubordination?

3. Why does the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?" call the rooster Signor Beneventano?

4. What food does Bartleby appear to eat exclusively?

5. What do the other employees think of Bartleby's refusals?

(see the answer keys)

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