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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to the Preface, what is the primary reason for whale hunting?
(a) Sport.
(b) Oil.
(c) Clothing.
(d) Food.

2. How is the whale towed back to the ship after it is killed in Chapter 3?
(a) Tail first.
(b) On its side.
(c) On its back.
(d) Head first.

3. How do the men on Pollard's boat respond to the whale's attack?
(a) They jump overboard.
(b) They throw their provisions overboard.
(c) They attempt to stab the whale.
(d) They attempt to punch the whale.

4. How far away from the first whale sighted do the men position themselves in the boats?
(a) One mile.
(b) Ten miles.
(c) One foot.
(d) Ten feet.

5. How long does it take the whale to revive after the collision before preparing to ram the boat again?
(a) Three minutes.
(b) Five minutes.
(c) Less than a minute.
(d) One minute.

6. After being damaged in the storm, who encourages Pollard to continue with the trip instead of returning to Nantucket?
(a) Only Joy.
(b) Nickerson and Joy.
(c) Chase and Joy.
(d) Only Chase.

7. While repairing the Essex's leak, what else do the men gather in Chapter 4?
(a) Tortoises.
(b) Lizards.
(c) Iguanas.
(d) Snakes.

8. Out of twenty men who witnessed the sinking of the Essex, how many total men survived?
(a) Ten.
(b) Eighteen.
(c) Eight.
(d) Two.

9. How many men are in the small boat when it is first mentioned in the preface?
(a) Fifteen.
(b) Eight.
(c) Five.
(d) Two.

10. How many men normally would attempt to approach, harpoon, and kill the whale?
(a) Six.
(b) Two.
(c) Four.
(d) Eight.

11. How many whaleboats are loaded onto the Essex in Chapter 1?
(a) Four.
(b) Three.
(c) Two.
(d) One.

12. How long does the crew of the Essex remain by the wrecked ship?
(a) Four nights.
(b) One night.
(c) Two nights.
(d) Three nights.

13. Which of the following is not included in the list of troubles that the bad weather causes for the Essex in Chapter 4?
(a) It is difficult to lower the whale boats.
(b) It is difficult to raise the whale boats.
(c) Loss of direction.
(d) There is no stability when cutting up the whale blubber.

14. After having little luck off the coast of Chile, where does the Essex begin experiencing some success?
(a) Off the coast of Colombia.
(b) Off the coast of Peru.
(c) Off the coast of Argentina.
(d) Off the coast of Uruguay.

15. How many miles west of the Galapagos is the Essex on November 2, 1820?
(a) Five hundred.
(b) Over a thousand.
(c) Over two thousand.
(d) Less than five hundred.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which provisions does the crew of the Essex plan to purchase at the Azores?

2. Which fictional novel was inspired by the sinking of the Essex?

3. How is Pollard informed to set sail?

4. Why does Pollard think that backtracking to the Galapagos Islands is impossible in Chapter 6?

5. What surprises Nickerson about Chase while they are on the sea?

(see the answer keys)

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