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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the narrator's condition when he goes to the theater in London?
(a) He is broke and alone.
(b) He is bored and overfed.
(c) He is well-fed and relaxed.
(d) He is comfortable and among friends.

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

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

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

5. How does the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?" treat his creditor after hearing the crow?
(a) He pays him promptly.
(b) He offers to double his payment.
(c) He throws him out.
(d) He apologizes.

6. What is Poor Man's Pudding?
(a) Milk, eggs, and sugar.
(b) Rice, milk, and salt.
(c) Water, salt, and flour.
(d) Flour, sugar, cinnamon, and milk.

7. What is the first thing Bartleby says he would prefer not to do?
(a) Go for coffee.
(b) Copy a comparison of an original.
(c) Originate a copy.
(d) Compare a copy with its original.

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

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

10. What does Blandmour believe God does for the poor?
(a) God gives the poor very little help.
(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 the challenges they need.

11. How does the narrator accommodate the weakness of his oldest scrivener?
(a) By giving him unimportant papers in the afternoon.
(b) By allowing him to work only half a day.
(c) By hiring an assistant for him.
(d) By giving him unimportant papers in the morning.

12. Why is the narrator not pleased with Bartleby's industriousness?
(a) Bartleby is frighteningly mechanical.
(b) Bartleby is not cheerful.
(c) Bartleby is only occasionally industrious.
(d) Bartleby is relentlessly cheerful.

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

14. What did a strange boy give the narrator in the theater?
(a) A cup of coffee.
(b) A cake of barley.
(c) An unexpected smile.
(d) A cup of ale.

15. What do the other employees think of Bartleby's refusals?
(a) They think Bartleby should be fired.
(b) They think Bartleby should be forgiven.
(c) They think Bartleby should be promoted.
(d) They think Bartleby should be excused.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Steelkilt's three remaining conspirators decide to do to save themselves?

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

3. How does the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?" view locomotives and steamships?

4. How long has the uncle in "The Happy Failure" worked on his invention?

5. What surprises the narrator when he goes to his office on a Sunday?

(see the answer keys)

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