View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does the narrator of "Cock-a-Doodle-Doo?" treat his creditor after hearing the crow?
(a) He offers to double his payment.
(b) He pays him promptly.
(c) He throws him out.
(d) He apologizes.

2. What does Melville call the government the Creole soldier established on St. Charles?
(a) A monarchy.
(b) A theocracy.
(c) A democracy.
(d) A riotocracy.

3. To what sight in the city does Melville compare the islands of the Encantadas?
(a) A pile of trash.
(b) A pile of leaves.
(c) A pile of rocks.
(d) A pile of cinders.

4. How does the narrator describe the men who work the Erie Canal?
(a) They are strong and virtuous.
(b) They are mild and calm.
(c) They are picturesquely wicked.
(d) They are sneaky and subtle.

5. What is Poor Man's Pudding?
(a) Milk, eggs, and sugar.
(b) Rice, milk, and salt.
(c) Flour, sugar, cinnamon, and milk.
(d) Water, salt, and flour.

6. What do the Peruvian listeners force the storyteller to do to prove his story is true?
(a) Swear on the Bible.
(b) Show some evidence.
(c) Produce another witness.
(d) Cross his heart.

7. What did the failure of his invention do for the uncle in "The Happy Failure?"
(a) Made him disappointed.
(b) Made him a good man.
(c) Made him more determined.
(d) Made him furious.

8. Why doesn't the narrator dismiss Bartleby for insubordination?
(a) Bartleby is calm, showing no emotion.
(b) Bartleby is distressed.
(c) Bartleby promises to improve.
(d) Bartleby is obviously emotionally upset.

9. What does Melville say is the most populous species on the island of Albermarle?
(a) Snakes.
(b) Spiders.
(c) People.
(d) Lizards.

10. What do the other employees think of Bartleby's refusals?
(a) They think Bartleby should be fired.
(b) They think Bartleby should be promoted.
(c) They think Bartleby should be excused.
(d) They think Bartleby should be forgiven.

11. What surprises the narrator when he goes to his office on a Sunday?
(a) Bartleby has stolen his things.
(b) Bartleby has been living there.
(c) Bartleby has been working on the weekend.
(d) Bartleby has invited friends to the office.

12. Why does the captain decide not to flog Steelkilt?
(a) He suddenly feels sorry for Steelkilt.
(b) He suddenly feels ashamed of his own behavior.
(c) Steelkilt makes an inaudible threat.
(d) He suddenly feels the menace of the rest of the crew.

13. What prevents Steelkilt from taking revenge on Radney?
(a) The captain orders Radney executed.
(b) Moby Dick kills Radney.
(c) Radney apologizes.
(d) Steelkilt has a change of heart.

14. Where do both the captain and Steelkilt go after they separate?
(a) France.
(b) Tahiti.
(c) England.
(d) Hawaii.

15. What action does Steelkilt determine to take after being locked in the hold?
(a) He will seize the ship.
(b) He will apologize.
(c) He will kill the captain.
(d) He will kill Radney.

Short Answer Questions

1. What previous employment had shaped Bartleby?

2. What makes Moby Dick an unusual whale?

3. What food does Bartleby appear to eat exclusively?

4. What does Steelkilt threaten to do if he is flogged by the captain?

5. Of what does the onstage action in the London theater remind the narrator?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 553 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample