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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What is the carpenter ordered to do with Queequeg's coffin?
(a) turn it into an oil cask.
(b) dismantle it for fire wood.
(c) use it to patch up Ahab's boat.
(d) turn it into a life buoy.

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

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

6. What does Pip do when a whale is harpooned?
(a) he jumps into the ocean.
(b) he hits the whale with his oar.
(c) he hides in the bottom of the boat.
(d) he starts to cry.

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

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

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

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

11. How is Ahab's mental condition best described by this point?
(a) truly morbid.
(b) finally sane.
(c) cheerful with expectation.
(d) much more optimistic.

12. What does Ahab order the ship's blacksmith to do?
(a) make a cast iron coffin for him if Moby Dick is not found.
(b) make more lances to use on Moby Dick.
(c) reinforce the sides of the Pequod.
(d) forge an iron harpoon only for Moby Dick.

13. What does Queequeg see in the Spanish doubloon?
(a) nothing of any value.
(b) the price of a bride.
(c) something to decorate his pipe.
(d) a pair of gold earrings.

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

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What odd behavior on the part of Ahab occurs over the apparatus used for determining latitude?

2. What do passing sailors say about the white whale?

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

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

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

(see the answer keys)

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