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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What happens to Queequeg while he helps locate the oil leak?
(a) he falls into a cask of sperm whale oil.
(b) he becomes ill and almost dies.
(c) he gets into a fight with Tashtego.
(d) he slips on the oil and cracks open his head.

2. What is the second objection the Sag Harbor man has for the veracity of the story of Jonah?
(a) the throat of the whale could not swallow a man.
(b) there is no oxygen inside a whale's stomach.
(c) the whale would bite and not swallow whole.
(d) the gastric juices of the whale would have killed Jonah.

3. What makes Starbuck come and talk to Ahab.
(a) he regrets his desire to kill Ahab.
(b) he decides to try one more time to change Ahab.
(c) he takes advantage of the beautiful morning.
(d) he witnesses the unexpected show of emotion by Ahab.

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

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

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

7. How does Ahab react to the intrusion by Starbuck?
(a) he becomes concerned about the loss of oil.
(b) he does not understand what Starbuck tells him.
(c) he flies into a rage and threatens the carpenter.
(d) he raises a pistol as though to shoot Starbuck.

8. What do passing sailors say about the white whale?
(a) they spotted it yesterday.
(b) they do not believe it exists.
(c) they heard it was caught and killed.
(d) they think it has returned to the Indian Ocean.

9. What foreshadows what is likely to happen to Ahab and Fedallah?
(a) a dream Ahab has while waiting out the night.
(b) a story Ahab remembers about Moby Dick.
(c) a dream Fedallah has while on Ahab's boat.
(d) a story Fedallah tells while on Ahab's boat.

10. 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 being pulled by a harpooned whale.
(c) they are being chased by pirates.
(d) they are caught in a rip tide.

11. What is the change in Stubb?
(a) he becomes a cheerleader for the crew.
(b) he walks with a faster pace.
(c) he no longer jokes and laughs.
(d) he becomes more of a clown.

12. What is the crew of The Delight about to do as the Pequod comes alongside?
(a) bury one of their men.
(b) repair the masts.
(c) lower the sails.
(d) man the whale boats.

13. What is the carpenter doing when Ahab ascends to deck the next morning?
(a) repairing holes in the deck.
(b) carving Ahab's new ivory leg.
(c) making a table for the captain.
(d) turning the coffin into a life buoy.

14. What does the dream predict can kill Ahab?
(a) fire.
(b) oil.
(c) hemp.
(d) an iron harpoon.

15. How does Ishmael classify the oiling of the bottom of a boat?
(a) a ceremony of initiation of new sailors.
(b) a ceremony performed to attract whales.
(c) a ceremony performed for Neptune.
(d) a ceremony performed for good luck.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Pip join on one of the whaling boats?

2. What makes Ahab return quickly to the Pequod from the Samuel Enderby?

3. What occurs on the Pequod that sends Starbuck to see the captain?

4. What is the mood on the Pequod?

5. What does Ishmael say about why some captured whales float while others tend to sink?

(see the answer keys)

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