View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. From what does the Pequod escape at sea?
(a) Malay pirates.
(b) an ocean whirlpool.
(c) Japanese gun boats.
(d) a giant squid.

2. How is Ahab's mental condition best described by this point?
(a) finally sane.
(b) cheerful with expectation.
(c) truly morbid.
(d) much more optimistic.

3. What does Ahab order the ship's blacksmith to do?
(a) make more lances to use on Moby Dick.
(b) forge an iron harpoon only for Moby Dick.
(c) reinforce the sides of the Pequod.
(d) make a cast iron coffin for him if Moby Dick is not found.

4. Why does Ahab's boat stay in the ocean and not return after they catch four whales?
(a) the whale is too large for one boat to haul.
(b) the whale near Ahab is too far to reach the ship by nightfall.
(c) the ship cannot handle more than three whales at a time.
(d) Ahab is too tired to return that evening.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. What is the ship's carpenter assigned to do?

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

3. What foreshadows what is likely to happen to Ahab and Fedallah?

4. How does Ahab become more irritated as the Pequod sails in the Pacific Ocean?

5. When Pip is finally rescued after jumping the second time from the boat, what is his condition?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Ishmael show the further mental deterioration of Ahab?

2. Explain why the Pequod sails in the wrong direction.

3. Explain two instances that Starbuck interprets as signs that God does not support Ahab's revenge on Moby Dick.

4. What is foreshadowed by a dream on Ahab's whaling boat?

5. How is Ahab killed?

6. Why does Ahab change his attitude toward the leaking casks of whale oil?

7. What conundrum does Ishmael pose about the whale's biological system?

8. Describe the madness of Ahab that loses his humanity.

9. What is the secret that Ishmael lets slip about why Ahab stayed in his cabin so long at the beginning of the trip?

10. What further insult does Ahab act out after meeting the Delight?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 788 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample