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

2. What reaction do both Ahab and Starbuck have to the Spanish doubloon still nailed to the mast?

3. What does Ishmael say about why some captured whales float while others tend to sink?

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

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. What is occupying the mind of the captain of the Rachel?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What contest occurs between the Pequod and a German whaling 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 how literature helps understand ages past. Use the sights, sounds, and customs of 19th century America as written about in the novel to describe what life was like then. Note in your essay the things like whale oil for lighting that are no longer necessary. Write your opinion about such things as room sharing at an inn and the communal meals in the dining room. Explain why you would or would not like to have lived during those times.

Essay Topic 2

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on the literary use of personification. Begin with how Ahab assigns human characteristics to Moby Dick, believing that the whale is a mortal enemy, conscious of a vendetta against him. Then go to children's stories where animal characters think and talk like humans. Discuss personification as a device to explain relationships between humans and animals.

Essay Topic 3

Write an essay of at least two typed, double-spaced pages on the beauty of whales in their natural habitat. Include such things as how they jump out of the water, the impressive look of their spouts, the way they utilize their tails, how graceful they are for such large creatures, and modern recordings of whale songs.

(see the answer keys)

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