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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) in a dream he has about a white whale.
(d) with stories of the dangerous white whale.

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

3. What is Ishmael's objection to artist renditions of the whale?
(a) they are pictured in false colors.
(b) they are imaginary and not true to life.
(c) they are painted out of the water.
(d) they are too realistic.

4. What is the subject matter of the sermon in the chapel?
(a) Balam and the ass.
(b) Jonah and the whale.
(c) preparing for death.
(d) the creation of sea creatures.

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

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

7. To what does Ishmael compare the differences between land and sea?
(a) to the harmony of mind and body.
(b) to areas of the human soul.
(c) to men on a battlefield.
(d) to political conflicts.

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

9. What characteristics does Ishmael assign to Starbuck, the chief mate?
(a) common sense and intelligence.
(b) ignorance and brashness.
(c) elegance and sophistication.
(d) impetuousness and anger.

10. Who is the chaplain of the whaler's place of worship?
(a) Father Pine.
(b) Father Elm.
(c) Father Sycamore.
(d) Father Maple.

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

12. Who are Peleg and Bildad?
(a) crewmen on the Pequod.
(b) builders of the Pequod.
(c) outfitters of the Pequod.
(d) part owners of the Pequod.

13. What is the speculation about the noise coming from the after hold?
(a) There is live bait in the hold.
(b) Moby Dick is sniffing out Captain Ahab.
(c) There are ghosts on the Pequod.
(d) There are stowaways on board.

14. What is the rumor about other fish when they encounter the white whale?
(a) they swim away in terror.
(b) they kill themselves.
(c) they group to attack the whale.
(d) they rise to the surface.

15. Which boat from the Pequod is the first to harpoon a whale?
(a) Ahab's.
(b) Stubb's.
(c) Flask's.
(d) Starbuck's.

Short Answer Questions

1. How do Ishmael and Queequeg transport their baggage to the boat bound for Nantucket?

2. Which crew member does Ishmael single out as having the most responsibility?

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

4. What strange thing does Ahab do looking at the head of the captured whale?

5. Which ship does Ishmael select for him and Queequeg to sign on?

(see the answer keys)

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