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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What causes Captain Delano to suspect Benito Cereno is an impostor?
(a) His confusion.
(b) His bad manners.
(c) His weakness in command.
(d) His ignorance of seamanship.

2. What does the narrator decide to give the apple-tree table when he first discovers it?
(a) A place of honor.
(b) A happier book.
(c) Kind attention.
(d) A warm environment.

3. Why does the lightning rod salesman claim that his rods are superior?
(a) They're made of steel.
(b) They're made of copper.
(c) They're made of iron.
(d) They're made of magnesium.

4. What does Benito Cereno say has happened to his partner, Alexandro Aranda?
(a) He died of fever.
(b) He left the ship at the last port.
(c) He fell overboard.
(d) He was murdered.

5. How does Captain Delano view the attitude of the black people on board?
(a) The black people seem to Captain Delano to be insubordinate.
(b) The black people seem to Captain Delano to be cringing and fearful.
(c) The black people seem to Captain Delano to be cheerful and content.
(d) The black people seem to Captain Delano to be competent and well-trained.

6. Why had Jimmy Rose never married?
(a) He didn't like women.
(b) He ws unattractive.
(c) He loved all women equally.
(d) He was too shy.

7. Why is it hard to see the mill when coming upon it?
(a) The mill is hidden in a cave.
(b) The mill is painted to camouflage the entrance.
(c) The whole landscape is white.
(d) The mill's entrance is disguised by branches.

8. Whose cause does the Marquis de Grandvin champion?
(a) The French.
(b) Animals.
(c) Women.
(d) Freedom fighters.

9. What first attracts the narrator of "The Piazza" to a building far in the mountains?
(a) It's exactly ninety degrees ahead of his piazza.
(b) The windows shine like gold.
(c) A rainbow ends there.
(d) A river runs through it.

10. How does the narrator in "The Lightning Rod Man" feel about the storm before the salesman arrives?
(a) He thinks the storm "thought-provoking."
(b) He thinks the storm is "terrifying."
(c) He thinks the storm is "grand" and "glorious."
(d) He thinks the storm is "radiant" and "beautiful."

11. How does the lightning rod salesman feel about thunderstorms?
(a) He is terrified.
(b) He is assured of his own safety.
(c) He is confident.
(d) He is relaxed and unafraid.

12. How does Melville describe Captain Delano's personality?
(a) Pessimistic and unhappy.
(b) Mistrustful and suspicious.
(c) Trusting and benevolent.
(d) Autocratic and dictatorial.

13. What is the temperature at the mill?
(a) Cold.
(b) Warm.
(c) Hot.
(d) Oppressively hot.

14. Why was Bannadonna excused for the homicide he committed?
(a) It was caused by esthetic passion.
(b) It was justifiable.
(c) It was accidental.
(d) It was done in self-defense.

15. What was the disadvantage of building the piazza on the north side of the house?
(a) The north side faces the neighbors.
(b) The north side faces the village.
(c) The north side is coldest.
(d) The north side has the narrowest view.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the narrator of "The Piazza" feel that the house must have a piazza?

2. What caused the bell-ringing automaton to kill Bannadonna?

3. What loss of John Gentian's is noticed most on May thirtieth?

4. How did Captain Delano evaluate the relationship between Benito Cereno and Babo?

5. What surprises Captain Delano when he first sees Benito Cereno's ship?

(see the answer keys)

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