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

Multiple Choice Questions

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

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

3. What does Starbuck contemplate when he finds Ahab asleep?
(a) scaring the captain.
(b) murdering the captain.
(c) locking up the captain.
(d) waking the captain.

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

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

6. Ironically, what is hanging from the taffrail of the Pequod?
(a) a life buoy.
(b) a harpoon.
(c) a coffin.
(d) an American flag.

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

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

9. What reaction do both Ahab and Starbuck have to the Spanish doubloon still nailed to the mast?
(a) hope.
(b) sadness.
(c) greed.
(d) eagerness.

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

11. What does Ishmael say the head of the sperm whale contains?
(a) soft tissue that contains no oil.
(b) a gigantic brain.
(c) the largest and the most pure quantity of sperm whale oil.
(d) hard bone used as a battering ram.

12. 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.

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

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

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. How does Ahab react to the intrusion by Starbuck?

3. Which of the characters keep watch on both the crew and the ocean?

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

5. How does Ahab die?

(see the answer keys)

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