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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Epilogue.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happens when Chase's boat attempts to approach a whale on November 16?
(a) The whale is wounded, but not killed.
(b) The whale outruns the boat.
(c) The whale drags the boat for several miles.
(d) The whale emerges underneath the boat.

2. Where is the first whale spotted in Chapter 3?
(a) Halfway between Rio De Janeiro and Buenos Aires.
(b) Just before Rio De Janeiro.
(c) At Buenos Aires.
(d) After Buenos Aires.

3. Contrary to what the men think, what island are they actually on in Chapter 9?
(a) Henderson Island.
(b) Ducie Island.
(c) Oeno Island.
(d) Pitcairn Island.

4. After realizing they are too far south to reach Easter Island, how far away is the next group of islands?
(a) Five hundred miles off the coast of Peru.
(b) Five hundred miles off the coast of Chile.
(c) Eight hundred miles off the coast of Peru.
(d) Eight hundred miles off the coast of Chile.

5. How long after the sinking of the Essex is Chase's account of the ordeal available as a book?
(a) Less than six months.
(b) Almost exactly a year.
(c) Almost exactly two years.
(d) Less than a year.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many days has it been since Pollard and Hendricks have lost sight of Chase's boat in the beginning of Chapter 11?

2. What day does Richard Peterson choose to die?

3. What is Nickerson's response to the captain's approach in introducing himself to the crew?

4. According to one naval architect, what might have helped the Essex withstand the whale's attack?

5. How common was cannibalism among sailors that are shipwrecked during the time the book takes place?

(see the answer key)

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