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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Why does the narrator of "I and My Chimney" identify with his chimney?
(a) They are both obese old smokers.
(b) They are both tall and handsome.
(c) They are both an annoyance to the household.
(d) They are both. the center of attention.

2. Who finally persuaded the narrator of "I and My Chimney" to knock a few feet off the chimney?
(a) His neighbor.
(b) His mortgage holder
(c) His daughters.
(d) His wife.

3. What mythical character does the narrator say would have failed at his task if the chimney had then been in existence?
(a) Hercules.
(b) Atlas.
(c) Icharus.
(d) Prometheus.

4. How does the narrator of "The Piazza" travel to the spot in the mountains that he wants to see?
(a) In a carriage.
(b) In a yawl.
(c) On foot.
(d) On horseback.

5. How did Captain Delano evaluate the relationship between Benito Cereno and Babo?
(a) A frightening scene of dependency.
(b) A shocking breach of convention.
(c) An enviable spectacle of fidelity.
(d) A distressing lack of respect.

6. How does the narrator of "The Apple-Tree Table" feel as his wife and daughters become more frightened?
(a) He feels braver.
(b) He feels more frightened than they.
(c) He feels numb.
(d) He feels worse.

7. How does Melville describe Captain Delano's personality?
(a) Trusting and benevolent.
(b) Pessimistic and unhappy.
(c) Autocratic and dictatorial.
(d) Mistrustful and suspicious.

8. Why is the strange ship low on provisions?
(a) They have been becalmed.
(b) They have been lost.
(c) They have taken on additional passengers.
(d) They have been under supplied.

9. What did Jimmy Rose have to offer the rich after he lost his fortune?
(a) Jewelry.
(b) Companionship.
(c) Entertainment.
(d) Compliments.

10. Why was Bannadonna excused for the homicide he committed?
(a) It was accidental.
(b) It was caused by esthetic passion.
(c) It was justifiable.
(d) It was done in self-defense.

11. What is the attitude of the bachelors in the Temple toward pain and trouble?
(a) Pain and trouble are nonexistent.
(b) Pain and trouble are for other people.
(c) Pain and trouble are unavoidable.
(d) Pain and trouble are everywhere.

12. What does the narrator in "The Fiddler" aspire to become?
(a) Happy.
(b) Rich.
(c) Famous.
(d) Brilliant.

13. Who is Atufal?
(a) A leader of the slaves.
(b) A complaining woman among the slaves.
(c) Babo's best friend.
(d) A chained slave.

14. What does the narrator in "The Paradise of Bachelors" say has become of the Knights Templar?
(a) They've become doctors.
(b) They've become lawyers.
(c) They've become warriors.
(d) They've become schoolteachers.

15. How does Captain Delano evaluate Babo when he first meets him?
(a) Captain Delano evaluates Babo as woefully ignorant.
(b) Captain Delano evaluates Babo as uncomfortably familiar.
(c) Captain Delano evalutes Babo as a devoted companion.
(d) Captain Delano evalutes Babo as vaguely threatening.

Short Answer Questions

1. Why does the narrator of "The Piazza" believe the soil is richer around the cottage that he finds?

2. Why does the narrator of "The Piazza" feel that the house must have a piazza?

3. What does Benito Cereno say has happened to his partner, Alexandro Aranda?

4. How does Captain Delano view the attitude of the black people on board?

5. Who lives in the cottage that the narrator of "The Piazza" finds in the mountains?

(see the answer keys)

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