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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. What is unusual about the pork at the Coulters' dinner table?
(a) It is not really pork.
(b) It is only hides.
(c) It is last year's.
(d) It is only fat and gristle.

3. Where does the narrator in The Town-Ho's story tell his tale?
(a) The Cape of Good Hope.
(b) Lima, Peru.
(c) On the deck of the Pequod.
(d) On the deck of the Town-Ho.

4. What does the crew decide to do after Steelkilt is flogged?
(a) Murder Radney.
(b) Start a mutiny.
(c) Desert together.
(d) Obey the captain.

5. What country possessed the Encantadas at the time Melville wrote?
(a) Colombia.
(b) Bolivia.
(c) Chile.
(d) Peru.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does the narrator of "The Two Temples" attend the meeting at the church?

2. What prevents Steelkilt from taking revenge on Radney?

3. How does the narrator describe the men who work the Erie Canal?

4. How much does the uncle in "The Happy Failure" think his invention is worth?

5. How does the narrator get into the London theater presentation?

Short Essay Questions

1. What purpose does the circle of listeners serve in "The Town-Ho's Story"?

2. What stylistic devices does Melville use to give the reader the feeling of the rooster's crow in "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo"?

3. Why does Melville believe that American poor suffer more than European poor?

4. Why did the two remaining followers of Steelkilt each hope to be the first out of the hold?

5. What verb tenses does Melville use in "The Two Temples" to bring immediacy to the story?

6. Why is the direct route for an ocean voyage not always the fastest or best, according to Melville in "The Encantadas"?

7. How does the narrator respond the first time Bartleby answers a request with, "I would prefer not to"?

8. How is the accuracy of copy verified by scriveners?

9. What was disrespectful about Radney asking Steelkilt to sweep the deck?

10. What skills are necessary for a scrivener?

(see the answer keys)

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