Chapter 20 - All Astir Quiz — Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

by Herman Melville

Comprehension Quiz: Chapter 20 - All Astir

Who handles all the purchasing and provisioning at the stores during the Pequod's outfitting?

  • Captain Peleg
  • Captain Bildad
  • Aunt Charity
  • Starbuck

What does Ishmael compare the provisioning of a whaling ship to?

  • Building a fortress
  • Housekeeping
  • Preparing for war
  • Outfitting an army

What is Aunt Charity's relationship to Captain Bildad?

  • His wife
  • His sister
  • His mother
  • His daughter

According to Ishmael, what are the only two things the Pequod does NOT carry in duplicate?

  • A spare anchor and a spare rudder
  • A spare captain and a duplicate ship
  • A spare compass and a spare wheel
  • A spare cook and a spare surgeon

Which of the following items does Aunt Charity NOT bring aboard the Pequod?

  • A jar of pickles
  • A bunch of quills
  • A roll of flannel
  • A box of candles

What word does Ishmael use to describe Ahab's future role aboard the ship?

  • Commander
  • Sovereign
  • Absolute dictator
  • Supreme ruler

What startling image does Aunt Charity present on the last day before sailing?

  • She breaks down crying on the dock
  • She carries an oil-ladle in one hand and a whaling lance in the other
  • She refuses to leave the ship
  • She argues with Captain Peleg about supplies

What are the crew told about Captain Ahab when they ask about him?

  • That he has gone to another port
  • That he is getting better and better and is expected aboard every day
  • That he will not join until the ship is at sea
  • That he is too ill to command the voyage

True or false: Ishmael and Queequeg sleep aboard the Pequod every night during the preparations.

  • True
  • False

True or false: Captain Peleg frequently goes ashore during the ship's preparations.

  • True
  • False

In the context of this chapter, what does "betokened" mean?

  • Prevented
  • Indicated or signified
  • Delayed
  • Celebrated

What does "indefatigable" mean as used to describe Aunt Charity?

  • Easily frightened
  • Tireless and persistent
  • Extremely thin
  • Stubbornly difficult

In the phrase "divers odds and ends," what does "divers" mean?

  • Underwater
  • Several or various
  • Expensive
  • Hidden

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