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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. How many whale boats does the crew of the Essex lose after the first encounter with two whales in Chapter 3?
(a) One.
(b) Two.
(c) Three.
(d) None.

2. What causes Chase's boat to get a hole in it as they approach another whale on November 20?
(a) The whale's tail hits the boat.
(b) The harpoon inadvertently crashes into the side of the boat.
(c) Chase kicks the side of the boat out of frustration.
(d) A bolt of lightning strikes the boat.

3. Which provisions does the crew of the Essex plan to purchase at the Azores?
(a) Vegetables and weapons.
(b) Livestock and weapons.
(c) Vegetables, livestock, and weapons.
(d) Vegetables and livestock.

4. In what year does the story take place in?
(a) 1810.
(b) 1812.
(c) 1801.
(d) 1821.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is the first whale spotted in Chapter 3?

2. How long do the officers think it will take the crew to reach either Chile or Peru?

3. How far away are the Marquesas from where the crew is in Chapter 6?

4. Which of the following is not taken by the crew as the Essex sinks in Chapter 5?

5. How do the men on Pollard's boat respond to the whale's attack?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is a whale killed by sailors?

2. How is Nantucket described in Chapter 1?

3. What happens when the first whale of the trip is sighted?

4. How does Pollard's boat respond to being attacked by a whale in Chapter 7?

5. What are some of the facts that Philbrick discloses about the sinking of the Essex in the Preface?

6. As explained in Chapter 2, what route does a Nantucket whale ship normally take?

7. What modifications are made to the whale boats in the beginning of Chapter 6?

8. How does the crew initially respond to the sinking of the Essex?

9. Why does the crew decide not to wait for another whale ship in the Offshore Ground?

10. How successful is the Essex off the coast of Peru?

(see the answer keys)

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