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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 the news from The Rachel as it nears the Pequod?
(a) they are overloaded with oil.
(b) they have seen Moby Dick.
(c) they are fleeing pirates.
(d) Moby dick has been killed.

2. 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) the whale would bite and not swallow whole.
(c) the throat of the whale could not swallow a man.
(d) there is no oxygen inside a whale's stomach.

3. What is the effect of Ahab's distraction on Starbuck?
(a) he walks sadly away.
(b) he shoves Ahab overboard.
(c) he hopes for the best.
(d) he continues to state his case.

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

5. Besides the whales in the oceans, what else does Ishmael include in his discussion?
(a) the comparison of whales to dolphins.
(b) fossil remains of whales from centuries ago.
(c) the comparison of whales to elephants.
(d) the collected myths about whales.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the dream predict can kill Ahab?

2. What is the irony of the coffin?

3. What does Queequeg see in the Spanish doubloon?

4. When Tashtego accidentally falls into the oil-filled head of the whale, who rescues him?

5. How is Ahab's mental condition best described by this point?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is happening to Queequeg's coffin?

2. What is the problem with maritime laws pertaining to whaling?

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

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

5. Describe Ishmael's arguments against the man who doubts the Bible.

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

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

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

9. What happens when Tashtego accidentally falls into the oil-filled head of the whale?

10. What is so interesting about the perceptions of the Spanish doubloon nailed to the mast?

(see the answer keys)

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