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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Stubb instruct Daggoo to do for him?
(a) cut a steak from the tail of the whale.
(b) carve his name on the whale's back.
(c) take over securing the whale to the ship.
(d) cut out a tooth from the whale.

2. Which ship does Ishmael select for him and Queequeg to sign on?
(a) the Pequod.
(b) the Titanic.
(c) the Devil-dam.
(d) the Tit-bit.

3. What is the theme of MOBY DICK?
(a) madness.
(b) expectations.
(c) cooperation.
(d) revenge.

4. What story about a whale attack compares to the history of the Titanic?
(a) the ship was believed to be unsinkable.
(b) the ship struck an ice berg while chasing a whale.
(c) the whale looked like an ice berg.
(d) the ship was sunk on its maiden expedition.

5. What apology does Ishmael make about whalers?
(a) He defends their crude manners.
(b) He agrees that whalers are low caste.
(c) He explains why they are socially low.
(d) He uses history to honor whalers.

6. What purpose does the mad Elijah serve in the story?
(a) he adds comic relief to the story.
(b) he prophecies disaster for the Pequod.
(c) he prophecies success for the Pequod.
(d) he explains how to get on board the Pequod.

7. After the whale is captured, what is the next step?
(a) removing its skin.
(b) estimating its weight.
(c) cutting off its head and tail.
(d) hauling it back to the ship.

8. What is the man called who stands on deck and holds the rope that secures Queequeg?
(a) the anchor.
(b) the monkey.
(c) the cowboy.
(d) the door post.

9. Why does Ishmael advise against putting intellectual men on watch?
(a) they become engrossed in their own thoughts.
(b) they become easily bored.
(c) they analyze too much.
(d) they ask too many questions.

10. What does Ishmael say is the saddest thing about any man, no matter how bad he is?
(a) a man who kills for sport.
(b) a man who thinks he knows everything.
(c) a man who has lost his valor.
(d) a man who disobeys orders.

11. What is the harpooner, Queequeg, out doing when Ishmael is shown to his room?
(a) smoking his pipe.
(b) sharpening his hatchet.
(c) shaving with his harpoon.
(d) selling a shrunken head.

12. What do Peleg and Bildad do once the Pequod is in the Atlantic Ocean?
(a) return to shore in a small boat.
(b) jump overboard and swim to shore.
(c) go wake up Captain Ahab.
(d) leave the Pequod on a raft.

13. How does Ishmael introduce the story of Moby Dick?
(a) with stories of the dangerous white whale.
(b) by suggesting the white whale is a myth.
(c) in a dream he has about a white whale.
(d) by Ahab's description of the white whale.

14. What do the men do for entertainment on board the Pequod?
(a) sing and dance.
(b) gamble.
(c) tell sea tales.
(d) play cards.

15. Who is the High Chief or king of the island of Kokovoko?
(a) Queequeg's father.
(b) Queequeg's brother.
(c) Queequeg.
(d) Quequeg's uncle.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Ishmael describe the possibility of mutiny on a whale ship?

2. Days into the journey, what makes Ishmael uneasy?

3. What does Ahab question the men about?

4. What do Ishmael and Stubb discuss about captains and whaling?

5. To what does Ishmael compare a painting done from observing a stranded whale?

(see the answer keys)

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