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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Where is the large hunting ground where the Pequod finds itself in the middle of a pod of sperm whales?
(a) near Jakarta.
(b) near Capetown.
(c) near Japan.
(d) near Nantucket.

2. What does Starbuck contemplate when he finds Ahab asleep?
(a) waking the captain.
(b) murdering the captain.
(c) scaring the captain.
(d) locking up the captain.

3. What makes Starbuck come and talk to Ahab.
(a) he regrets his desire to kill Ahab.
(b) he witnesses the unexpected show of emotion by Ahab.
(c) he takes advantage of the beautiful morning.
(d) he decides to try one more time to change Ahab.

4. What does the dream predict can kill Ahab?
(a) oil.
(b) fire.
(c) hemp.
(d) an iron harpoon.

5. What is the second objection the Sag Harbor man has for the veracity of the story of Jonah?
(a) the throat of the whale could not swallow a man.
(b) the whale would bite and not swallow whole.
(c) the gastric juices of the whale would have killed Jonah.
(d) there is no oxygen inside a whale's stomach.

6. What does Stubb get from the dead whale?
(a) a substance known as Ambergis.
(b) the tail fins.
(c) the bones in the mouth.
(d) the skull and teeth.

7. How does Ishmael become the only survivor of the wreck of the Pequod?
(a) he manages to get back into the only boat not destroyed.
(b) he is carried on the back of Moby Dick to near The Rachel.
(c) the coffin turned life buoy saves his life.
(d) he manages to swim toward The Delight.

8. What does Ahab order the ship's blacksmith to do?
(a) forge an iron harpoon only for Moby Dick.
(b) make a cast iron coffin for him if Moby Dick is not found.
(c) reinforce the sides of the Pequod.
(d) make more lances to use on Moby Dick.

9. When Tashtego accidentally falls into the oil-filled head of the whale, who rescues him?
(a) Flask.
(b) Starbuck.
(c) Queequeg.
(d) Ishmael.

10. What is the mood on the Pequod?
(a) grim and somber.
(b) light and cheerful.
(c) high with anticipation.
(d) excited and tense.

11. Where does Ishmael say the brain of the sperm whale lies?
(a) far back from the forehead.
(b) directly between the eyes.
(c) in its hump.
(d) near the front of the head.

12. What has happened to some of the crew of The Delight?
(a) they became afraid and turned the ship to run away.
(b) Moby Dick ate one of them.
(c) Moby Dick killed five of them.
(d) they mutinied against the captain.

13. What does Fedallah's dream depict about hearses?
(a) Ahab will see one not made with human hands.
(b) Ahab will never ride in a hearse.
(c) Ahab will be saved by a hearse.
(d) Ahab will ride in a wooden hearse.

14. Why does Pip join on one of the whaling boats?
(a) because he angered Captain ahab.
(b) because one of the crew is injured.
(c) because he was sleeping in the boat.
(d) because he begs to go along.

15. What does Pip do when a whale is harpooned?
(a) he starts to cry.
(b) he hits the whale with his oar.
(c) he jumps into the ocean.
(d) he hides in the bottom of the boat.

Short Answer Questions

1. What further detailed information does Ishmael record about the whale?

2. Why does Ishmael linger on the Biblical story of Jonah?

3. What foreshadows what is likely to happen to Ahab and Fedallah?

4. How does Ahab die?

5. What does Ahab discover the next morning after the storm?

(see the answer keys)

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