Question

question 8 multiple choice worth 3 points (01.01 mc) read the opening paragraph from moby dick by herman melville. \call me ishmael. some years ago—never mind how long precisely—having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, i thought i would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world. it is a way i have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation. whenever i find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly november in my soul; whenever i find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral i meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking peoples hats off—then, i account it high time to get to sea as soon as i can. this is my substitute for pistol and ball. with a philosophical flourish cato throws himself upon his sword; i quietly take to the ship. there is nothing surprising in this. if they but knew it, almost all men in their degree, some time or other, cherish very nearly the same feelings towards the ocean with me.\ which statement most accurately characterizes ishmael? hamner is a wealthy man who enjoys frequently sailing. ishmael is a lover of the ocean and frequently sails when he needs to reset himself. ishmael is a social man with no friends on his very first ocean expedition. ishmael is terrified of the ocean and desperately wants to go home.

Explanation:

To determine the correct statement, analyze the passage:

• The first option is wrong as Ishmael says he has "little or no money".
• The second option matches: The text says "I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world... a way I have of driving off the spleen and regulating the circulation" (showing he loves the ocean and sails to reset himself).
• The third option is wrong—there's no mention of friends on a "very final ocean expedition" (and the tone is about temporary sailing, not a final one).
• The fourth option is wrong—he is drawn to the ocean, not terrified and wanting to go home.

Answer:

B. Ishmael is a lover of the ocean and frequently sails when he needs to reset himself.