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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What danger does Ishmael say the whale wields in particular?
(a) the whale never forgets.
(b) the whale can do great damage with its tail.
(c) the whale can call for other whales to attack a ship.
(d) the whale can fluke and land on a ship.

2. What is the news from The Rachel as it nears the Pequod?
(a) they are overloaded with oil.
(b) they are fleeing pirates.
(c) Moby dick has been killed.
(d) they have seen Moby Dick.

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

4. Where is Ahab on the morning of a clear day as they continue the search for Moby Dick?
(a) at the bow of the ship.
(b) on the rail of the deck.
(c) in his cabin.
(d) on top of a mast.

5. How is Starbuck a singular character on board the Pequod at this point?
(a) he is the only one sure that Moby Dick is nearby.
(b) he is the only one openly opposed to Ahab.
(c) he is the only one supporting Ahab.
(d) he is the only one the crew hates.

6. What happens to Ahab's hat as he perches atop the mast?
(a) it becomes misshapen in the mist.
(b) a sea hawk steals it.
(c) he throwns it in the ocean as bait.
(d) it blows off and falls into the ocean.

7. Why does Ahab's boat stay in the ocean and not return after they catch four whales?
(a) the ship cannot handle more than three whales at a time.
(b) the whale near Ahab is too far to reach the ship by nightfall.
(c) the whale is too large for one boat to haul.
(d) Ahab is too tired to return that evening.

8. What is the mood on the Pequod?
(a) grim and somber.
(b) light and cheerful.
(c) excited and tense.
(d) high with anticipation.

9. Which of the characters keep watch on both the crew and the ocean?
(a) Pip and Starbuck.
(b) Starbuck and Stubb.
(c) Ahab and Fedallah.
(d) Ishmael and Queequeg.

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

11. What is the irony of the coffin?
(a) a thing of death is a visual reminder of Moby Dick.
(b) a thing of death is being turned into a thing of life.
(c) a thing of death is an omen for the future.
(d) a thing of death is so beautifully carved.

12. What does Stubb get from the dead whale?
(a) the skull and teeth.
(b) a substance known as Ambergis.
(c) the bones in the mouth.
(d) the tail fins.

13. Where is the large hunting ground where the Pequod finds itself in the middle of a pod of sperm whales?
(a) near Nantucket.
(b) near Capetown.
(c) near Japan.
(d) near Jakarta.

14. What does Ishmael recount about the Samuel Enderby that occurs many years later?
(a) he learns how the Samuel Enderby ran aground.
(b) he hears that Moby Dick sank the ship.
(c) he has a fine social evening on board the ship.
(d) he meets a sailor who remembers Captain Ahab.

15. What is the effect of Ahab's distraction on Starbuck?
(a) he continues to state his case.
(b) he shoves Ahab overboard.
(c) he walks sadly away.
(d) he hopes for the best.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. While Starbuck is talking, what is Ahab thinking?

3. Why does Starbuck send Stubb to report the storm damage to Captain Ahab?

4. What is the carpenter ordered to do with Queequeg's coffin?

5. What is the change in Stubb?

(see the answer keys)

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