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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Ishmael and Stubb discuss about captains and whaling?

2. What is the encounter in the ocean that causes Ahab to come to the deck?

3. To what does Ishmael compare a painting done from observing a stranded whale?

4. To what does Ishmael compare the differences between land and sea?

5. Who are Peleg and Bildad?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Ishmael think about paintings and drawings of whales?

2. How does Ishmael inform the reader about the process of whale hunting?

3. Why is the story of Radney and Steelkilt important to the story?

4. How complicated is the process of harvesting the whale blubber?

5. How does Queequeg determine which of them will select the whaling ship they take for their whaling adventure?

6. Explain the mistaken identity that causes Ahab to order lowering of the boats.

7. Why does Ishmael soon lose his astonishment over Queequeg in New Bedford?

8. Explain the function of the "monkey" on board a whaling ship.

9. Detail the problems of holding a whale overnight tied to the side of the ship.

10. What behavior of whales works to the advantage of whaling ships looking for them?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on why we know so much more about whales now than Melville knew. Discuss the modern technology that allows whales to be observed in their natural underwater habitat. Mention modern photography that shows the whale as it is and not as an artist imagines it.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on why Ishmael's idea that the whale could never become extinct was just the thing that has almost made the whale disappear. Explain how man's use of natural resources has done a great deal of damage to species and to the planet.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on the hard life of whalers. Mention the three year expeditions required to fill the ship with valuable whale oil. Discuss the weather conditions that make the trip more dangerous. Detail the need to go out in small boats to get near enough to the whales to harpoon them.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 748 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample