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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. How many days has it been since Pollard and Hendricks have lost sight of Chase's boat in the beginning of Chapter 11?

2. What island do the men initially think they have found in the beginning of Chapter 9?

3. What museum acquires the skeleton of the whale found in the Epilogue?

4. What is the first concern that the men have about the island they find?

5. How does Aaron Paddack respond to Pollard's story as Chapter 12 ends?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Pollard's whaling career end, and how is he remembered?

2. What leads to the rescue of Chase's boat?

3. How does Chase prevent the crew from stealing food in Chapter 8?

4. What does the exhibit for the Essex at the Whaling Museum feature?

5. How does Cole die in Chapter 12?

6. What happens to Chase at the end of his life?

7. How do the men confuse the name of the island they have found in Chapter 9?

8. What happens to Hendricks' boat?

9. How does Chase's boat deal with a shark attack?

10. How are Wright, Weeks, and Chappel rescued from Henderson Island?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Henderson Island is a key point in the crew's effort to make it to South America.

1) Explain what leads the crew to Henderson Island and why they are confused about the island's identity.

2) Describe the crew's time on the island and the important things that they discover there.

3) Analyze the decision made by three crew members to remain of the island in comparison to the decision made by the majority of the crew to leave.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the first two encounters with a whale that the crew of the Essex has, including a detailed description of the Nantucket sleigh ride. Also, provide an explanation of why this is a significant point in the story and what it indicates for the different members of the crew.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss three setbacks that the crew of the Essex face while attempting to sail towards South America after the ship sinks. Include an analysis of the effects that the setbacks have on the crew's plan, how the crew chooses to approach them, and the actions that they take as a result.

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