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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 Ishmael say the head of the sperm whale contains?
(a) a gigantic brain.
(b) soft tissue that contains no oil.
(c) hard bone used as a battering ram.
(d) the largest and the most pure quantity of sperm whale oil.

2. How does Stubb regain a dead whale from a French whaling boat?
(a) by threatening to blow up their boat.
(b) by stealing the dead whale at night.
(c) by using humor and intelligence.
(d) by playing poker.

3. What happens on this first encounter with Moby Dick?
(a) Moby Dick is harpooned but gets away.
(b) Ahab finds his hat floating on the ocean.
(c) Ahab's peg leg is broken off and Fedallah is missing.
(d) one of the boats is destroyed.

4. What is the first thing Moby Dick does when he is spotted?
(a) he flukes and dives deep.
(b) he swims toward the Pequod.
(c) he swims away fast on the surface.
(d) he sounds and disappears under the sea.

5. What do passing sailors say about the white whale?
(a) they heard it was caught and killed.
(b) they spotted it yesterday.
(c) they think it has returned to the Indian Ocean.
(d) they do not believe it exists.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Flask see as he examines the doubloon?

2. What does Ishmael believe about the survival of whales as a species?

3. What does Ishmael recount about the Samuel Enderby that occurs many years later?

4. What is the condition of the baby whale they harpoon?

5. What happens to Ahab's hat as he perches atop the mast?

Short Essay Questions

1. Relate the sad story of Pip.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10. What is the change in the crew as they head out in search of Moby Dick?

(see the answer keys)

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