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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 mast of the Pequod during a typhoon?
(a) it breaks in two.
(b) it loses all its sails.
(c) it glows in the dark.
(d) it catches on fire.

2. What does Fedallah's dream depict about hearses?
(a) Ahab will never ride in a hearse.
(b) Ahab will see one not made with human hands.
(c) Ahab will be saved by a hearse.
(d) Ahab will ride in a wooden hearse.

3. 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) the coffin turned life buoy saves his life.
(d) he is carried on the back of Moby Dick to near The Rachel.

4. To what does Ishmael attribute the Sag Harbor man's disbelief in the story of Jonah?
(a) his personal experience inside a whale.
(b) his listening to too many doubters.
(c) his minute education and inability to reason.
(d) his custom of arguing with everyone.

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

6. 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) Ahab is too tired to return that evening.
(d) the whale near Ahab is too far to reach the ship by nightfall.

7. 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 plan he has for getting it for himself.
(d) the way it shines in the sunlight.

8. What further detailed information does Ishmael record about the whale?
(a) he discusses the birth process of whales.
(b) he discusses the measurement of the whale.
(c) he details migratory habits of whales.
(d) he talks about the breeding grounds of whales.

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

10. What happens on the third day after spotting Moby Dick?
(a) Ahab falls into the ocean but gets back in the boat.
(b) Ahab misses with his harpoon.
(c) Ahab harpoons the whale.
(d) Moby Dick swims to the other side of the Pequod.

11. Where does Ishmael say the brain of the sperm whale lies?
(a) directly between the eyes.
(b) in its hump.
(c) far back from the forehead.
(d) near the front of the head.

12. When Tashtego accidentally falls into the oil-filled head of the whale, who rescues him?
(a) Ishmael.
(b) Starbuck.
(c) Queequeg.
(d) Flask.

13. How did the watch on the mast of The Rachel know that Moby Dick had probably been harpooned.
(a) he saw the boat being pulled away.
(b) it happened right near The Rachel.
(c) he thought he could see it happen.
(d) he saw the White Whale attack the boat.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Why is the captain of The Rachel appealing for help from the Pequod?

2. What does the captain of a German whaling ship want from the Pequod?

3. What reaction do both Ahab and Starbuck have to the Spanish doubloon still nailed to the mast?

4. What does the dream predict can kill Ahab?

5. What danger does Ishmael say the whale wields in particular?

(see the answer keys)

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