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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 is Queequeg's duty while the blubber is stripped from the back of the whale?
(a) he descends to hold it secure.
(b) he takes the watch for more whales.
(c) he carries equipment to the other crew members.
(d) he carves the teeth from the whale.

2. What is Starbuck's disagreement with Ahab's purpose for the trip?
(a) the futility of vengeance against a whale.
(b) the need to get oil and return to Nantucket quickly.
(c) the moral correctness of finding the white whale.
(d) the missed opportunities to capture other whales.

3. What is the theme of MOBY DICK?
(a) cooperation.
(b) madness.
(c) revenge.
(d) expectations.

4. What unusual thing does Queequeg do while putting on his boots?
(a) crawls under the bed.
(b) turns around three times.
(c) sits on the floor.
(d) jumps up on top of the bed.

5. What is Ishmael's religious affiliation?
(a) Methodist.
(b) Quaker.
(c) Catholic.
(d) Presbyterian.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the speculation about the noise coming from the after hold?

2. What is the major problem while the whale is tied to the side of the ship?

3. What habit of whales do the whaling ships use to find their prey?

4. Who is the High Chief or king of the island of Kokovoko?

5. Who are Peleg and Bildad?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ishmael think about paintings and drawings of whales?

2. Explain the function of the "monkey" on board a whaling ship.

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

4. How complicated is the process of harvesting the whale blubber?

5. What is the function of Charity, Bildad's sister, in the preparations for the Pequod's journey?

6. What is the surprise the men of the Pequod get when they spot their first whale and begin to lower the boats?

7. Detail the problems of holding a whale overnight tied to the side of the ship.

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

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

10. Why is the story of Radney and Steelkilt important to the story?

(see the answer keys)

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