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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does Radney dislike Steelkilt?
(a) Steelkilt is insubordinate.
(b) Steelkilt is rude.
(c) Steelkilt is unfriendly.
(d) Steelkilt is handsome.

2. Who are Pedro and Sebastian in The Town-Ho's Story?
(a) Sailors on the Town-Ho.
(b) Friends of the narrator.
(c) Writers.
(d) Sailors on the Pequod.

3. How long has the uncle in "The Happy Failure" worked on his invention?
(a) Three months.
(b) All year.
(c) Ten years.
(d) All month.

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

5. What did buccaneers leave on the islands that Melville claims is proof of their better traits?
(a) Carved stone furniture.
(b) Planted orchards.
(c) Planted gardens.
(d) Buried treasure.

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

7. What does the narrator's middle-aged employee offer to do for Bartleby?
(a) Teach him better work habits.
(b) Fire him.
(c) Teach him manners.
(d) Black his eyes.

8. What did the American ship, the Essex, see in the Encantadas?
(a) A pirate ship.
(b) A ghost ship.
(c) An enchanted ship.
(d) An English ship.

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 Great Lakes region.
(c) The Erie Canal.
(d) The Mississippi.

10. How does Steelkilt respond to Radney's request that he sweep the deck?
(a) He complains loudly.
(b) He loudly refuses.
(c) He meekly obeys.
(d) He quietly refuses.

11. Why doesn't the narrator dismiss Bartleby for insubordination?
(a) Bartleby is calm, showing no emotion.
(b) Bartleby is distressed.
(c) Bartleby promises to improve.
(d) Bartleby is obviously emotionally upset.

12. What does Blandmour believe God does for the poor?
(a) God gives the poor the challenges they need.
(b) God charges the rich to care for the poor.
(c) God gives the poor everything they need for free.
(d) God gives the poor very little help.

13. What age is the narrator of Bartleby?
(a) In his forties.
(b) In his thirties.
(c) In his fifties.
(d) In his sixties.

14. What animal does Melville claim is not at home at sea, on land, or in the air?
(a) The walrus.
(b) The penguin.
(c) The cormorant.
(d) The bat.

15. 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.

Short Answer Questions

1. What food does Bartleby appear to eat exclusively?

2. How does the narrator accommodate the weakness of his oldest scrivener?

3. What does Melville call the government the Creole soldier established on St. Charles?

4. Who is the worst enemy of the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?"

5. What did the failure of his invention do for the uncle in "The Happy Failure?"

(see the answer keys)

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