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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which crew member does Ishmael single out as having the most responsibility?
(a) the first mate.
(b) the captain.
(c) the harpooner.
(d) the oarsman.

2. What do the plaques in the whaler's chapel remind Ishmael of?
(a) the heroism of whaling.
(b) the marks of distinction.
(c) the dangers of the sea.
(d) the time away from land.

3. What part of the whale is the most valuable to the whalers?
(a) the blubber.
(b) the skin.
(c) the head and tail.
(d) the ivory teeth and bones.

4. What does Ishmael say whale ship crew members often do with the bones of whales?
(a) throw them overboard.
(b) make ivory prostheses for men like Ahab.
(c) carve animals.
(d) make stays for corsets.

5. What does Queequeg use to reach his food?
(a) his long arms.
(b) a small lasso.
(c) a long stick.
(d) his harpoon.

6. What equipment left on board by Aunt Charity does Stubb throw overboard?
(a) a teapot.
(b) a barrel of lemonade.
(c) a still for making rum.
(d) a caddy for ginger water.

7. Who is Charity and what is her function regarding the Pequod?
(a) Bildad's sister and part owner, she brings supplies.
(b) she supervises the storing of the supplies.
(c) she brings Bibles and religious supplies.
(d) Peleg's wife, she orders the food supplies.

8. Who pilots the Pequod out of the Nantucket harbor?
(a) Peleg.
(b) Ahab.
(c) Starbuck.
(d) Bildad.

9. How does Ishmael digress after the first whales are spotted?
(a) by discussing the ideal weather for whatling.
(b) by defining the process of spotting whales.
(c) by giving a background on Captain Ahab.
(d) by giving a brief commentary on different kinds of whale.

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

11. To what does Ishmael compare the weaving of a mat?
(a) life.
(b) whaling.
(c) map making.
(d) complications.

12. What is Ishmael's evidence that sperm whales have knowingly and maliciously been destructive to men and their ships?
(a) interviews with survivors of whale attacks.
(b) other ships that have had bad encounters with whales.
(c) his own experience with whales while he was at sea.
(d) stories printed in British and American newspapers.

13. What is Queequeg's duty while the blubber is stripped from the back of the whale?
(a) he takes the watch for more whales.
(b) he descends to hold it secure.
(c) he carries equipment to the other crew members.
(d) he carves the teeth from the whale.

14. To what does Ishmael compare a painting done from observing a stranded whale?
(a) to a painting of a tiger seen in a cage.
(b) to a painting of the moon.
(c) to a painting of a ship drawn from a shipwreck.
(d) to a painting of a house from another culture.

15. What is the encounter in the ocean that causes Ahab to come to the deck?
(a) they see a huge pod of whales.
(b) they hear strange musical sounds in the ocean.
(c) they are chased by pirates.
(d) they meet another whaling ship.

Short Answer Questions

1. What habit of whales do the whaling ships use to find their prey?

2. What is Ishmael's objection to artist renditions of the whale?

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

4. Why does the captain of a whale ship the Pequod meets at sea not want to board the Pequod?

5. How does Ishmael describe the whales he sees in the ocean?

(see the answer keys)

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