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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What strange thing does Ahab do looking at the head of the captured whale?
(a) he curses it.
(b) he drives a harpoon through it.
(c) he speaks to it.
(d) he watches it all night long.

2. What characteristics does Ishmael assign to Starbuck, the chief mate?
(a) ignorance and brashness.
(b) elegance and sophistication.
(c) impetuousness and anger.
(d) common sense and intelligence.

3. Why does Elijah challenge Ishmael to find the men he saw heading for the Pequod?
(a) they will not board with Captain Ahab.
(b) they are figments of Ishmael's imagination.
(c) they are ghosts and not real men.
(d) they are criminals sabotaging the Pequod.

4. What does Ishmael decide to do about Queequeg?
(a) to convert him to Christianity.
(b) to become his friend.
(c) to keep his pistol loaded.
(d) to ask for another room.

5. What does Ishmael say whale ship crew members often do with the bones of whales?
(a) carve animals.
(b) throw them overboard.
(c) make ivory prostheses for men like Ahab.
(d) make stays for corsets.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Starbuck's disagreement with Ahab's purpose for the trip?

2. What type of whale is Moby Dick, the whale they are searching for?

3. What does Ishmael think is more remarkable than the whale's size and color?

4. How does Ishmael introduce the story of Moby Dick?

5. How does Queequeg distinguish himself on the trip to Nantucket?

Short Essay Questions

1. Under what circumstances do Peleg and Bildad leave the Pequod?

2. How do Starbuck and Stubb react to Ahab's stated mission?

3. What behavior of whales works to the advantage of whaling ships looking for them?

4. Explain the startling thing that Ishmael learns about his friend, Queequeg.

5. How does the first day of whaling affect Ishmael?

6. What ominous encounter do Ishmael and Queequeg have after they have signed onto the Pequod?

7. Describe the behavior of the mates dining in the captain's cabin as they torment the cook who serves their meal.

8. What does Ahab want from the first whaling ship they meet in the ocean?

9. What potential serious problem does Ahab ignore in order to talk to the captain of another whaling ship?

10. At what point does Ishmael go into a discussion about whales in general.

(see the answer keys)

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