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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 Ishmael digress after the first whales are spotted?
(a) by giving a background on Captain Ahab.
(b) by discussing the ideal weather for whatling.
(c) by defining the process of spotting whales.
(d) by giving a brief commentary on different kinds of whale.

2. What does Queequeg use to reach his food?
(a) a long stick.
(b) his long arms.
(c) his harpoon.
(d) a small lasso.

3. Days into the journey, what makes Ishmael uneasy?
(a) He decides he has made a mistake.
(b) He never sees Queequeg again.
(c) He has not yet seen the captain.
(d) He has started to have seasickness.

4. What early shipboard duty does Ishmael describe?
(a) his experience in swabbing the deck.
(b) his time in the whaling boats.
(c) his work in the galley.
(d) his first experience serving watch.

5. How does Ishmael introduce the story of Moby Dick?
(a) by Ahab's description of the white whale.
(b) in a dream he has about a white whale.
(c) by suggesting the white whale is a myth.
(d) with stories of the dangerous white whale.

Short Answer Questions

1. What equipment left on board by Aunt Charity does Stubb throw overboard?

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

3. To what does Ishmael compare a painting done from observing a stranded whale?

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

5. What startles the crew as they prepare to go after a whale?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain the importance of Chapters 45 and 46 in understanding the enemy Captain Ahab is up against.

2. Explain why Ishmael decides to book himself on a whaling ship.

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

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

5. How does Queequeg determine which of them will select the whaling ship they take for their whaling adventure?

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

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

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

9. Describe how Ishmael becomes uneasy about Captain Ahab.

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

(see the answer keys)

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