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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Ahab contemplate concerning the man who carves his peg leg and builds coffins?
(a) the versatility of sailors.
(b) the unimportance of carpenters on a ship.
(c) the time they have been away from Nantucket.
(d) the idea of life and death.

2. 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 story Fedallah tells while on Ahab's boat.
(d) a dream Fedallah has while on Ahab's boat.

3. What happens that is uncharacteristic of Ahab?
(a) he smiles.
(b) he sheds a tear.
(c) he agrees with Starbuck.
(d) he pats Pip on the back.

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

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

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

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

8. What is the condition of the baby whale they harpoon?
(a) it is lost from its mother.
(b) it is dying from lack of milk.
(c) it is sick from swallowing a turtle.
(d) it is still attached by an umbilical cord.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

12. What makes Ahab return quickly to the Pequod from the Samuel Enderby?
(a) he learns the direction Moby Dick is traveling.
(b) he has a fight with the other captain.
(c) he wants to beat the other captain to Moby Dick.
(d) he begins to feel ill.

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

14. 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.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Ahab and the captain of the Samuel Enderby have in common?

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

3. Why does Ahab order a basket to take him to the top of one of the masts?

4. What does Ishmael say the head of a sperm whale resembles?

5. What does Stubb get from the dead whale?

(see the answer keys)

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