View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the Aurora bring for the crew of the Essex?
(a) More food.
(b) Letters from home.
(c) Sailors and boats.
(d) More weapons.

2. If the Essex returns with sufficient product, how much money is Thomas Nickerson expecting to make from the trip?
(a) One hundred and fifty dollars.
(b) Two hundred dollars.
(c) One hundred dollars.
(d) Two hundred and fifty dollars.

3. As described in Chapter 1, what does the sighting of a comet indicate?
(a) There will be good weather for the next month.
(b) Something unusual is going to happen.
(c) Something horrible is going to happen.
(d) There will be good weather for the next year.

4. Which of the following is not taken by the crew as the Essex sinks in Chapter 5?
(a) Fish.
(b) Freshwater.
(c) Tools.
(d) Pistols.

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

6. What is Nickerson's response to the captain's approach in introducing himself to the crew?
(a) He is inspired.
(b) He is surprised.
(c) He is confused.
(d) He is impressed.

7. What does the whale do after hitting the Essex below the anchor in Chapter 5?
(a) It sits on top of the water.
(b) It begins to hammer the boat with its tail.
(c) It begins swimming in circles around the boat.
(d) It swims away.

8. Who persuades Pollard to sail to Chile or Peru instead of the Society Islands?
(a) Only Chase.
(b) Chase and Joy.
(c) No one.
(d) Only Joy.

9. Why is the crew concerned about the Marquesas?
(a) They are infested with insects.
(b) There are rumors that the inhabitants are cannibals.
(c) There are no supplies there.
(d) Many other sailors have disappeared there.

10. When does the loading of the Essex begin?
(a) July 5.
(b) August 5.
(c) August 15.
(d) July 15.

11. How far off the coast of New England is Nantucket located?
(a) Forty- three miles.
(b) Twenty- four miles.
(c) Forty- two miles.
(d) Thirty- four miles.

12. In what direction does the wind shift, allowing the boats to sail towards Peru?
(a) North.
(b) East.
(c) West.
(d) South.

13. What surprises Nickerson about Chase while they are on the sea?
(a) Chase does not talk to anyone but the captain.
(b) Chase uses force to see that his orders are followed.
(c) Chase does not appear to understand how a ship works.
(d) Chase has a mild-mannered approach to assigning tasks.

14. As the frustrations grow on the Essex, what complaint do the men bring to Pollard at the end of Chapter 3?
(a) More chores on the ship.
(b) Smaller food portions.
(c) Unfair treatment by the first and second mate.
(d) Less sleep time.

15. Before his first whale kill, how many large mammals did Nickerson kill on Nantucket?
(a) Very few.
(b) Many.
(c) None.
(d) An average amount.

Short Answer Questions

1. As described in the Preface, in which ocean are the whales hunted?

2. Compared to the other seventy Nantucket whale ships, how is the Essex considered?

3. What Ecuadorian city does the Essex stop at during September in Chapter 4?

4. How far away from the first whale sighted do the men position themselves in the boats?

5. When did English settlers begin arriving in Nantucket?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 514 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample