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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Ahab become more irritated as the Pequod sails in the Pacific Ocean?
(a) he begins having strange dreams about Moby Dick.
(b) he thinks Moby Dick has returned to the Indian ocean.
(c) he believes the crew are not watchful enough.
(d) he knows Moby Dick is swimming in the same ocean.

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

3. What is Ahab's response to the call for help?
(a) he agrees to join in the search for the missing boat.
(b) he disbelieves the captain of The Rachel.
(c) he fires on The Rachel and runs away.
(d) he ignores the plea and sets out to find Moby Dick.

4. How does Ahab die?
(a) the harpoon rope wraps around his neck pulling him into the sea.
(b) Moby Dick jumps on top of the boat and drowns Ahab.
(c) Moby Dick pushes the Pequod over on top of Ahab's boat.
(d) Ahab has a heart attack and falls into the ocean.

5. What has the need for revenge done to Ahab's heart?
(a) it has weakened after three years at sea.
(b) it has softened because of tragedy.
(c) it has doubled over the missing boy.
(d) it has turned cold and unfeeling.

6. What does Ahab order the Pequod to do in violation of maritime tradition?
(a) sail away before the burial at sea.
(b) make obscene gestures at the other crew.
(c) ram the other ship.
(d) play music and dance.

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

8. What odd behavior on the part of Ahab occurs over the apparatus used for determining latitude?
(a) Ahab throws it overboard.
(b) Ahab uses it to throw at a whale.
(c) Ahab dashes it against the deck of the ship.
(d) Ahab orders it taken to the top of the mast.

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

10. What does Fedallah say is the advantage of having the Right Whale on the other side of the ship?
(a) to appease the sea gods.
(b) to draw the sharks away from the sperm whale.
(c) to attract other whales to the area.
(d) to keep the ship from capsizing.

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

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

13. What is the first thing Moby Dick does when he is spotted?
(a) he swims toward the Pequod.
(b) he sounds and disappears under the sea.
(c) he flukes and dives deep.
(d) he swims away fast on the surface.

14. Why does the crew on the ship see Stubb's and Flask's boats coming fast toward them?
(a) they are being chased by pirates.
(b) they are being pulled by a harpooned whale.
(c) they are caught in a rip tide.
(d) they are running from Moby Dick.

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

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What is Ahab thinking about as he looks out to sea?

3. What does Ahab order the ship's blacksmith to do?

4. What happens that is uncharacteristic of Ahab?

5. What does Ishmael conclude about whales' olfactory and vocal systems?

(see the answer keys)

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