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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happens to the boat Ishmael is in during the whale hunt?
(a) the boat takes on water and sinks.
(b) it gets stuck on the back of a whale.
(c) it capsizes and all are thrown into the water.
(d) the whale they harpoon takes a bite out of the boat.

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

3. What is the speculation about Ahab's knowledge of the stowaways?
(a) that he knows why they are there.
(b) that he is playing a game with them.
(c) that he will have them thrown overboard.
(d) that he is aware of them.

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

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

6. Why does Ishmael think Chapter 45 is the most important one in the book?
(a) because it deals with whale stories.
(b) because it discusses the pecularities of Ahab.
(c) because it describes Moby Dick in detail.
(d) because it describes behaviors of whales.

7. How do Ishmael and Queequeg transport their baggage to the boat bound for Nantucket?
(a) in a taxi.
(b) on a hay cart.
(c) in a wheelbarrow.
(d) on their backs.

8. Which harpooner is chosen by Starbuck?
(a) Tashtego.
(b) Queequeg.
(c) Daggoo.
(d) Ishmael.

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

10. Why does Ahab insist that the captain of the Jeroboam come aboard the Pequod?
(a) to give him medical supplies.
(b) to have him check the Pequod's charts.
(c) to have dinner with him.
(d) to get news of Moby Dick.

11. How does Ishmael foreshadow Starbuck's behavior throughout the novel?
(a) He remains the valiant and moral person he first appears to be.
(b) He changes into a madman.
(c) He loses all his moral values and tries to kill Ahab.
(d) He becomes fearful and mutinous.

12. Although the other four strange men blend in with the crew, what does Ishmael observe about Fedallah?
(a) he stays apart because only Ahab understands his language.
(b) he seems to like only Queequeg.
(c) his reasons for being on the voyage remained a mystery.
(d) his ability as harpooner is questionable.

13. Why does Elijah challenge Ishmael to find the men he saw heading for the Pequod?
(a) they will not board with Captain Ahab.
(b) they are ghosts and not real men.
(c) they are figments of Ishmael's imagination.
(d) they are criminals sabotaging the Pequod.

14. How does Queequeg distinguish himself on the trip to Nantucket?
(a) by catching a large fish for dinner.
(b) by climbing to the top of the mast.
(c) by saving a man who fell overboard.
(d) by winning an arm wrestling match.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Ahab aware of while he stands on the deck of the Pequod?

2. What apology does Ishmael make about whalers?

3. What early shipboard duty does Ishmael describe?

4. When the whale is harpooned, what action do the harpooner and the chief mate take?

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

(see the answer keys)

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