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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 does Flask see as he examines the doubloon?
(a) the plan he has for getting it for himself.
(b) the astrological meaning of the engraving on the coin.
(c) the number of cigars it will buy.
(d) the way it shines in the sunlight.

2. How does Ahab die?
(a) Moby Dick pushes the Pequod over on top of Ahab's boat.
(b) Moby Dick jumps on top of the boat and drowns Ahab.
(c) the harpoon rope wraps around his neck pulling him into the sea.
(d) Ahab has a heart attack and falls into the ocean.

3. What does Ahab discover the next morning after the storm?
(a) the crew are all asleep after fighting the storm.
(b) the ship has come aground.
(c) the ship is going in the wrong direction.
(d) the ship is dead in the water.

4. Where is Ahab on the morning of a clear day as they continue the search for Moby Dick?
(a) on the rail of the deck.
(b) at the bow of the ship.
(c) in his cabin.
(d) on top of a mast.

5. What is the second objection the Sag Harbor man has for the veracity of the story of Jonah?
(a) the gastric juices of the whale would have killed Jonah.
(b) there is no oxygen inside a whale's stomach.
(c) the whale would bite and not swallow whole.
(d) the throat of the whale could not swallow a man.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ahab finally admit?

2. How does Ahab react to the intrusion by Starbuck?

3. What makes Starbuck come and talk to Ahab.

4. What does Starbuck contemplate when he finds Ahab asleep?

5. What is the first thing Moby Dick does when he is spotted?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

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

6. What is the ominous message from the whaling ship Delight?

7. How is Ahab killed?

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

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

10. Why does Ahab transfer onto the Samuel Enderby to hear its captain's story?

(see the answer keys)

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