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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. How do the bachelors in the Temple keep time?
(a) By the wine they drank.
(b) By the jokes they told.
(c) By their reminiscences.
(d) By the courses of the meal.

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

4. What does Melville hope to do for the Marquis de Grandvin?
(a) Make him rich.
(b) Make him immortal.
(c) Make him famous.
(d) Make him happy.

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

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

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

8. What sort of feet did the apple-tree table have?
(a) Marble balls.
(b) Carved mahogany.
(c) Brass fittings.
(d) Hooves like Satan.

9. How does the narrator of "The Piazza" travel to the spot in the mountains that he wants to see?
(a) In a yawl.
(b) On horseback.
(c) On foot.
(d) In a carriage.

10. Where do "'Gees" come from?
(a) Portugal.
(b) Fogo.
(c) Africa.
(d) Brazil.

11. Why had Jimmy Rose often been chosen to present awards?
(a) He was a generous donor.
(b) He was famous.
(c) He was handsome.
(d) He spoke well.

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

13. What caused the loss of Jimmy Rose's fortune?
(a) The stock market crash.
(b) His overly generous dealings.
(c) Duplicitous dealings.
(d) Shipwrecks.

14. Why does the narrator of "I and My Chimney" identify with his chimney?
(a) They are both obese old smokers.
(b) They are both an annoyance to the household.
(c) They are both. the center of attention.
(d) They are both tall and handsome.

15. Why does John Gentian take "liberties with etiquette"?
(a) He is rude and thoughtless.
(b) He is concerned with larger issues.
(c) He is straightforward and impulsive.
(d) He is unlearned.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What disease does Captain Delano learn has swept off much of the crew and cargo of slaves?

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

4. What is unusual about the strange ship's figurehead?

5. What effect does the Marquis de Grandvin have on those around him?

(see the answer keys)

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