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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 do Ahab and the captain of the Samuel Enderby have in common?
(a) they are both insane.
(b) they both lost a limb to Moby Dick.
(c) they are both looking for revenge against Moby Dick.
(d) they are both looking for information about Moby Dick.

2. Ironically, what is hanging from the taffrail of the Pequod?
(a) an American flag.
(b) a coffin.
(c) a life buoy.
(d) a harpoon.

3. What is Captain Ahab doing as the Pequod sails away from The Delight?
(a) crying.
(b) laughing.
(c) praying.
(d) shaking.

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

5. What is Ahab's response to the call for help?
(a) he ignores the plea and sets out to find Moby Dick.
(b) he agrees to join in the search for the missing boat.
(c) he fires on The Rachel and runs away.
(d) he disbelieves the captain of The Rachel.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Fedallah's dream depict about hearses?

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

3. What is the change in Stubb?

4. What does Queequeg see in the Spanish doubloon?

5. What does the captain of a German whaling ship want from the Pequod?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the evidence that there is still a vestige of humanity left in Ahab?

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

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

4. What is Ishmael trying to ascertain as he ponders fossil remains of whales he has read about?

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

6. Explain how Stubb uses his sense of humor to trick a French whaling ship into leaving a dead whale.

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

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

9. Why does the encounter with the Bachelor irritate Ahab?

10. After killing the sperm whale, why does Ahab want them to capture and kill the less valuable Right Whale?

(see the answer keys)

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