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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How long is it in between whale sightings in Chapter 3?

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

3. In what direction does the wind shift, allowing the boats to sail towards Peru?

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

5. How do Pollard and Chase react to the way the men take the Essex out to sea?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the Essex described in Chapter 1?

2. What is done to the Essex in order to prepare it for the trip?

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

4. How is a whale killed by sailors?

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

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

7. How is Nantucket described in Chapter 1?

8. What is unusual about the sperm whale that surfaces unexpectedly in Chapter 5?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss three setbacks that the crew of the Essex face while attempting to sail towards South America after the ship sinks. Include an analysis of the effects that the setbacks have on the crew's plan, how the crew chooses to approach them, and the actions that they take as a result.

Essay Topic 2

Nature is a main element of the book and the Essex's voyage. Explain three examples of the effects that nature has on the story and the trip. Include an analysis of how the crew responds to nature and how their responses also have an effect on the book's themes.

Essay Topic 3

Explain in detail how Pollard's and Chase's boats are rescued in different areas and the varying routes that the crew members take back to Nantucket. Also, include a description of how the three men are rescued on Henderson Island, the difficulties with the rescue, and the unknown status of the third whale boat from the Essex.

(see the answer keys)

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