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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Ahab order the Pequod to do in violation of maritime tradition?
(a) ram the other ship.
(b) play music and dance.
(c) sail away before the burial at sea.
(d) make obscene gestures at the other crew.

2. What does Flask see as he examines the doubloon?
(a) the number of cigars it will buy.
(b) the astrological meaning of the engraving on the coin.
(c) the way it shines in the sunlight.
(d) the plan he has for getting it for himself.

3. How does Ahab become more irritated as the Pequod sails in the Pacific Ocean?
(a) he believes the crew are not watchful enough.
(b) he thinks Moby Dick has returned to the Indian ocean.
(c) he knows Moby Dick is swimming in the same ocean.
(d) he begins having strange dreams about Moby Dick.

4. What does Ishmael say the head of a sperm whale resembles?
(a) a Roman chariot.
(b) the toe of a boot.
(c) a Grecian urn.
(d) a boulder.

5. What had one of the boats from The Rachel accomplished?
(a) they escaped Moby Dick.
(b) they harpooned Moby Dick.
(c) they spied Moby Dick.
(d) they got all around Moby Dick.

6. Why does the crew on the ship see Stubb's and Flask's boats coming fast toward them?
(a) they are running from Moby Dick.
(b) they are caught in a rip tide.
(c) they are being pulled by a harpooned whale.
(d) they are being chased by pirates.

7. What does Ahab do in an excited state after visiting the Samuel Enderby?
(a) twists and damages his ivory peg leg.
(b) passes out rum to the crew.
(c) dances a jig on the Pequod.
(d) goes to his cabin to sulk.

8. Why does Pip join on one of the whaling boats?
(a) because he begs to go along.
(b) because he was sleeping in the boat.
(c) because he angered Captain ahab.
(d) because one of the crew is injured.

9. Given the irony of the coffin turned life buoy, what is the feeling of foreshadowing?
(a) that the White Whale will never be found.
(b) that Ahab will die before Moby Dick is spotted.
(c) that death is just a part of life.
(d) that there will be death and only one survivor.

10. What is the ship's carpenter assigned to do?
(a) erect a tent so Ahab can stay on deck.
(b) repair all the boats to encounter Moby Dick.
(c) build a chair for Ahab on deck.
(d) carve a new ivory peg leg for Ahab.

11. What occurs on the Pequod that sends Starbuck to see the captain?
(a) someone is stealing from the crew's lockers.
(b) there is a leak in one of the casks of whale oil.
(c) Moby Dick is sighted off the starboard side.
(d) the rum ration has run out.

12. What does Fedallah say is the advantage of having the Right Whale on the other side of the ship?
(a) to draw the sharks away from the sperm whale.
(b) to keep the ship from capsizing.
(c) to attract other whales to the area.
(d) to appease the sea gods.

13. How does Ishmael become the only survivor of the wreck of the Pequod?
(a) he manages to get back into the only boat not destroyed.
(b) he manages to swim toward The Delight.
(c) he is carried on the back of Moby Dick to near The Rachel.
(d) the coffin turned life buoy saves his life.

14. What is the next whaling ship the Pequod meets during the search for Moby Dick?
(a) The Nantucket.
(b) The Barbara Ellen.
(c) The Delight.
(d) The Bounty.

15. Why does Ishmael linger on the Biblical story of Jonah?
(a) because it explains a lot about whales.
(b) because he does not believe the Biblical account.
(c) because some crewmen doubt the story.
(d) because he remembers sermons about Jonah.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the condition of the baby whale they harpoon?

2. How does Ishmael classify the oiling of the bottom of a boat?

3. What is the effect of Ahab's distraction on Starbuck?

4. How did the watch on the mast of The Rachel know that Moby Dick had probably been harpooned.

5. What is the first thing Moby Dick does when he is spotted?

(see the answer keys)

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