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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In which of Melville's novels is "The Town-Ho's Story" included?
(a) Mardi.
(b) Moby Dick.
(c) Billy Budd.
(d) The Confidence Man.

2. What action does Steelkilt determine to take after being locked in the hold?
(a) He will kill the captain.
(b) He will seize the ship.
(c) He will kill Radney.
(d) He will apologize.

3. What quality of Bartleby's induces the narrator to hire him?
(a) Bartleby is energetic.
(b) Bartleby is sedate.
(c) Bartleby is efficient.
(d) Bartleby is friendly.

4. What does the narrator say a man does when confronted with an unreasonable situation?
(a) Digs in his heels.
(b) Doubts the other person.
(c) Questions his own mind.
(d) Acquiesces out of courtesy.

5. What nicknames does the narrator of Bartleby give his employees?
(a) Turkey, Nippers, and Ginger Nut.
(b) Chompers, Grumpy, and Short Stuff.
(c) Chicken, Rooster, and Cluck.
(d) Grandpa, Grumpy, and The Kid.

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

7. What does Melville believe the charities of London do for the poor?
(a) The charities of London soften the poor.
(b) The charities of London strengthen the poor.
(c) The charities of London embolden the poor.
(d) The charities of London madden the poor.

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

9. What part of the United States does the narrator of the Town-Ho's story claim is much like the sea?
(a) Lake Tahoe.
(b) The Mississippi.
(c) The Erie Canal.
(d) The Great Lakes region.

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

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

12. What does the arrangement of the office allow Bartleby to do with the narrator?
(a) Hear him but not see him.
(b) Neither see him nor hear him.
(c) Both see and hear him.
(d) See him but not hear him.

13. What emotion does the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?" say he has never felt since the rooster died?
(a) The warm contentment.
(b) The cheerful joys.
(c) The doleful dumps.
(d) The silly slaphappiness.

14. What do Steelkilt's three remaining conspirators decide to do to save themselves?
(a) Support Steelkilt's mutiny.
(b) Bind Steelkilt and give him to the captain.
(c) Kill Steelkilt.
(d) Sneak back to their posts.

15. Of what does the onstage action in the London theater remind the narrator?
(a) The theater at home on Broadway.
(b) The curmudgeonly landlady at his boarding house.
(c) His own childhood.
(d) The church service he had watched from the bell tower.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Why does the captain fear to shoot Steelkilt for his insubordination?

3. What famous person expressed a good opinion of the narrator of Bartleby?

4. What two characteristics does Melville attribute to the islands of the Encantadas?

5. Why does the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?" believe he should not be sued?

(see the answer keys)

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