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

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

3. What do Pollard and Daniel Russell, the captain of the Aurora, discuss in Chapter 4?
(a) The remaining time of the Aurora's trip.
(b) The discovery of other whaling boats off the coast.
(c) The discovery of a new whaling ground.
(d) The remaining time of the Essex's trip.

4. As described in the Preface, in which ocean are the whales hunted?
(a) Indian.
(b) Atlantic.
(c) Arctic.
(d) Pacific.

5. How far away are the Marquesas from where the crew is in Chapter 6?
(a) One thousand miles.
(b) Twenty- two hundred miles.
(c) Two thousand miles.
(d) Twelve hundred miles.

Short Answer Questions

1. After seventeen days in the boats, how far have the men sailed at the end of Chapter 7?

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

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

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

5. How is the whale towed back to the ship after it is killed in Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the Essex meets the Aurora?

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

3. How is the Essex attacked by the whale and what happens to the ship as a result?

4. What is used to determine the wages of sailors that participate in whaling trips, and how will Nickerson be paid?

5. How are the three whale boats divided and stocked for the trip at the end of Chapter 6?

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

7. How do two whales escape from Chase's boat in the beginning of Chapter 5?

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

9. How does Philbrick describe Pollard and his experience in Chapter 2?

10. What does the Dauphin find in the Preface?

(see the answer keys)

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