View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What contributes to the narrator's thoughts about the apple-tree table being supernatural?
(a) The table is Satanic-looking.
(b) The table is unusually beautiful.
(c) The table is old.
(d) The table is inscribed with signs and symbols.

2. What indicates to Captain Delano that the strange ship may be in trouble?
(a) The ship is giving a distress signal.
(b) The ship seems uncertain of its direction.
(c) The ship flies no flag.
(d) The ship is bound for an uninhabited island.

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

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

5. What god does the narrator in "The Lightning Rod Man" think the salesman resembles?
(a) Jupiter.
(b) Poseidon.
(c) Apollo.
(d) Zeus.

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

7. What mythical character does the narrator say would have failed at his task if the chimney had then been in existence?
(a) Icharus.
(b) Atlas.
(c) Prometheus.
(d) Hercules.

8. Why does the narrator of "The Piazza" believe the soil is richer around the cottage that he finds?
(a) The garden is obviously well-fed there.
(b) There is a sense of blessedness there.
(c) There is more sunlight there.
(d) The owners have planted there.

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

10. In "I and My Chimney," what is the narrator's wife's maxim?
(a) Whatever is, is wrong and must be altered.
(b) Whatever.
(c) Whatever is not, is not.
(d) Whatever is, is right.

11. What is the attitude of the bachelors in the Temple toward pain and trouble?
(a) Pain and trouble are for other people.
(b) Pain and trouble are nonexistent.
(c) Pain and trouble are unavoidable.
(d) Pain and trouble are everywhere.

12. What impresses the narrator about the mill?
(a) The efficiency of the operation.
(b) The clean air and water.
(c) The gigantic press machine.
(d) The cheerfulness of the workers.

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

14. Why does the narrator of "I and My Chimney" decide never to leave home?
(a) He is "sour and unsocial."
(b) His wife won't permit it.
(c) He is standing guard over the chimney.
(d) He is busy rebuilding the house.

15. Who is Atufal?
(a) Babo's best friend.
(b) A chained slave.
(c) A leader of the slaves.
(d) A complaining woman among the slaves.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was the disadvantage of building the piazza on the north side of the house?

2. How does Captain Delano evaluate Benito Cereno's condition when he first meets him?

3. How does the narrator in "The Lightning Rod Man" feel about the storm before the salesman arrives?

4. How do the bachelors in the Temple keep time?

5. How was John Marr wounded?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 629 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample