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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. How does Queequeg manage to sign on with the Pequod after first being turned down?
(a) giving the owners shrunken heads.
(b) demonstrating his skill with the harpoon.
(c) agreeing to convert to Christianity.
(d) offering to work for less pay.

2. What is the speculation about the noise coming from the after hold?
(a) There are ghosts on the Pequod.
(b) Moby Dick is sniffing out Captain Ahab.
(c) There are stowaways on board.
(d) There is live bait in the hold.

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

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

5. What type of whale are the men of the Pequod looking for?
(a) the sperm whale.
(b) the octavo whale.
(c) the albino whale.
(d) the duodecimo whale.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does Ishmael advise against putting intellectual men on watch?

2. Why does Ahab insist that the captain of the Jeroboam come aboard the Pequod?

3. What is Ishmael's religious affiliation?

4. What is Ishmael's evidence that sperm whales have knowingly and maliciously been destructive to men and their ships?

5. What happens to Radney during a whale chase?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. Explain the mistaken identity that causes Ahab to order lowering of the boats.

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

5. Describe the curious rumor about other fish and Moby Dick.

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

7. How does Ahab express his mission on this trip of the Pequod?

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

9. Why does Ishmael soon lose his astonishment over Queequeg in New Bedford?

10. What does Ahab do to disturb the crew during the night?

(see the answer keys)

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