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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When is Billy due to be executed?
(a) After a legal trial on shore.
(b) At midnight.
(c) As soon as the ship lands.
(d) In the early morning watch.

2. Why doesn't the surgeon question the captain's orders?
(a) He is dim-witted and cannot see any problem.
(b) He has great respect for the captain.
(c) He fears the captain might shoot him.
(d) Disobeying orders is mutiny.

3. What event occurs after Billy's funeral?
(a) The customary morning religious service.
(b) An attack by a Spanish frigate.
(c) A mutiny.
(d) A shipwreck.

4. What happens to Captain Vere after he is wounded?
(a) He remains on the island.
(b) He dies.
(c) He survives, but never commands another vessel.
(d) He is court-martialed.

5. Who tells Billy of his sentence?
(a) Lieutenant Ratcliffe.
(b) Captain Vere.
(c) The valet.
(d) The admiral.

6. According to the article about the Bellipotent, how is John Claggart murdered?
(a) He is hit by Billy Budd.
(b) He is strangled by Billy Budd.
(c) He is stabbed by Billy Budd.
(d) He is poisoned by Billy Budd.

7. How does Captain Vere appear after he leaves Billy in chapter 22?
(a) Resigned to fate.
(b) Nonchalant.
(c) Happy.
(d) Sad.

8. How does Billy react to his impending doom?
(a) By crying loudly.
(b) He curses.
(c) Calmly.
(d) With anger.

9. What is attributed to will power in chapter 26?
(a) The admiral's decision to proceed with Billy's punishment.
(b) A man's decision to witness death and stay on board.
(c) The lack of death spasm in Billy's body.
(d) The captain's decision to proceed with Billy's punishment.

10. What is "Billy in the Darbies"?
(a) An article on Billy's planned mutiny.
(b) A ballad honoring Billy's memory.
(c) A painting honoring Billy's memory.
(d) A sculpture honoring Billy's memory.

11. Where are the real events that occur on the Bellipotent recorded?
(a) In the memories of those who witness them.
(b) In Captain Vere's diary.
(c) In the chaplain's diary.
(d) In top secret naval records.

12. What sentence does the court render in chapter 23?
(a) Death.
(b) Flogging.
(c) Keelhauling.
(d) Confinement.

13. Who prepares Billy's body for burial?
(a) The sailors on deck.
(b) Members of the drumhead court.
(c) Captain Vere.
(d) The chaplain.

14. Who witnesses Billy's funeral?
(a) A few of Billy's closest friends.
(b) The chaplain and members of the drumhead court.
(c) The chaplain and Captain Vere.
(d) The entire crew.

15. To which biblical figure does Melville compare Claggart?
(a) A Pharisee.
(b) Jesus.
(c) Peter.
(d) Judas.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Captain Vere tell his crew in chapter 23?

2. How does Melville characterize sailors in general?

3. What concerns the officers in chapter 20?

4. Where is Billy taken in chapter 19?

5. What hits Captain Vere in chapter 28?

(see the answer keys)

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