Chapter 17 - The Ramadan Quiz — Moby-Dick; or, The Whale
by Herman Melville
Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 17 - The Ramadan
What term does Ishmael use to describe Queequeg's religious observance?
- Sabbath
- Ramadan
- Jubilee
- Vespers
What is Queequeg doing when Ishmael bursts open the door?
- Sleeping on the floor
- Sitting on his hams with Yojo on his head
- Standing facing the wall
- Lying in bed motionless
Why does Mrs. Hussey panic when she learns Queequeg is unresponsive?
- She fears he has damaged the furniture
- She worries about a lawsuit
- She fears another suicide like the case of Stiggs
- She is afraid of his harpoon
What sign does Mrs. Hussey want painted for her inn?
- "No weapons allowed on premises"
- "Guests must check out by noon"
- "No suicides permitted here, and no smoking in the parlor"
- "All harpoons must be surrendered at the front desk"
According to Ishmael, what is the result of religious fasting on the spirit?
- It purifies the soul
- It makes the spirit cave in along with the body
- It brings divine revelation
- It strengthens moral resolve
What does Ishmael claim was the origin of the idea of hell?
- Ancient Greek philosophy
- An undigested apple-dumpling
- Fear of the ocean
- A volcanic eruption
How does Queequeg react to Ishmael's lecture about religion?
- He angrily argues back
- He agrees to abandon his practices
- He looks at Ishmael with condescending compassion
- He silently weeps
What does Ishmael do to keep Queequeg warm during the night?
- He lights a fire in the room
- He throws his bearskin jacket over him
- He gives him an extra blanket from the bed
- He moves him closer to the window for sunlight
What is a "plum-pudding voyage" as mentioned in the chapter?
- A voyage to trade desserts in the Caribbean
- A short whaling voyage confined to the North Atlantic
- A pleasure cruise for wealthy passengers
- A voyage that ends unsuccessfully
What disturbing anecdote does Queequeg share about his only experience with dyspepsia?
- He ate spoiled whale meat on a ship
- He consumed fifty enemies at a victory feast
- He drank seawater during a drought
- He ate unfamiliar Western food for the first time
What items is Mrs. Hussey holding when she first appears in the chapter?
- A broom and dustpan
- A mustard-pot and vinegar-cruet
- A set of keys and a lantern
- A Bible and a candle
Which of the following best describes Ishmael's stated principle of religious tolerance?
- All religions are equally true
- No religion should be practiced publicly
- Any religion is acceptable as long as it does not harm others
- Christianity is superior but other faiths should be respected
How does Queequeg signal that his Ramadan is over?
- He speaks a prayer aloud
- He rises at dawn, presses his forehead against Ishmael's, and announces it
- He blows out a ceremonial candle
- He places Yojo back in his bag
What literary device does Melville primarily use in Mrs. Hussey's reaction to the locked room?
- Allegory
- Dark humor
- Foreshadowing
- Stream of consciousness
Where are Ishmael and Queequeg headed at the end of Chapter 17?
- Back to New Bedford
- To the chapel for Father Mapple's sermon
- To board the Pequod
- To find Captain Ahab
Comprehension Quiz
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