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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who is the chaplain of the whaler's place of worship?
(a) Father Sycamore.
(b) Father Pine.
(c) Father Elm.
(d) Father Maple.

2. Why does the rumor start that Moby Dick is stalking the Pequod?
(a) a whale spout is seen at night every so often.
(b) something keeps bumping the Pequod.
(c) a whale spout is seen only once every afternoon.
(d) no large fish are spotted near the Pequod.

3. What is Starbuck's disagreement with Ahab's purpose for the trip?
(a) the missed opportunities to capture other whales.
(b) the futility of vengeance against a whale.
(c) the need to get oil and return to Nantucket quickly.
(d) the moral correctness of finding the white whale.

4. Why does Ahab insist that the captain of the Jeroboam come aboard the Pequod?
(a) to get news of Moby Dick.
(b) to have him check the Pequod's charts.
(c) to have dinner with him.
(d) to give him medical supplies.

5. How does Queequeg distinguish himself on the trip to Nantucket?
(a) by climbing to the top of the mast.
(b) by catching a large fish for dinner.
(c) by saving a man who fell overboard.
(d) by winning an arm wrestling match.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ishmael decide to do about Queequeg?

2. What is Queequeg's amusing story about the ship captain attending a wedding in his father's court?

3. How does Ishmael recognize newcomers to whaling on the streets of New Bedford?

4. What does Ishmael say is the saddest thing about any man, no matter how bad he is?

5. What do Peleg and Bildad do once the Pequod is in the Atlantic Ocean?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the function of Charity, Bildad's sister, in the preparations for the Pequod's journey?

2. How does Ishmael happen to share a bed with a tattooed headhunter?

3. Describe how Ishmael becomes uneasy about Captain Ahab.

4. What potential serious problem does Ahab ignore in order to talk to the captain of another whaling ship?

5. How does the first day of whaling affect Ishmael?

6. Why does Ishmael soon lose his astonishment over Queequeg in New Bedford?

7. Explain the startling thing that Ishmael learns about his friend, Queequeg.

8. Why is the story of Radney and Steelkilt important to the story?

9. What is the surprise the men of the Pequod get when they spot their first whale and begin to lower the boats?

10. Explain the importance of Chapters 45 and 46 in understanding the enemy Captain Ahab is up against.

(see the answer keys)

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