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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. Which crew member does Ishmael single out as having the most responsibility?

2. What type of whale are the men of the Pequod looking for?

3. How does Stubb handle the strange situation?

4. What is Queequeg's duty while the blubber is stripped from the back of the whale?

5. What equipment left on board by Aunt Charity does Stubb throw overboard?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the appropriate text Father Maple uses in his sermon to the whalers in New Bedford.

2. What is the surprise the men of the Pequod get when they spot their first whale and begin to lower the boats?

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

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

5. Under what circumstances do Peleg and Bildad leave the Pequod?

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

7. At what point does Ishmael go into a discussion about whales in general.

8. Describe the curious rumor about other fish and Moby Dick.

9. What does Ahab want from the first whaling ship they meet in the ocean?

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

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 a character from MOBY DICK you would like to meet. Give specific examples of the behavior of that character and explain why he or she would be someone you would like to know.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on people who take dangerous occupations. In Melville's day, perhaps whaling the most dangerous occupation in the world. Compare that to some dangerous occupations today. Conclude with whether you would ever undertake a really dangerous job.

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.

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This section contains 692 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample