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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Surprise's crew do about the two ships?

2. What does Maturin think happened between the woman and Martin?

3. What seems to happen to the water below the ship?

4. What does Pullings do when Maturin visits him on the Franklin?

5. What type of work does Maturin do for the crown?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the various religious groups on Surprise get along both on the ship and ashore?

2. How does Dutourd conduct himself on board Surprise and how does Aubrey feel about him?

3. How is Martin behaving and what does Maturin see Martin doing?

4. What is happening in Martin and Maturin's relationship and what has Martin told Maturin?

5. What do Maturin and Martin do on the Franklin?

6. How does Reade accidentally slow down the Surprise?

7. How does Aubrey handle the taking of the Franklin and what is the most pressing need for the ship?

8. What is happening to the ocean and the winds by the end of Chapter 1 and what does Aubrey think of it?

9. Why is West on the Surprise and what does he hope to obtain from Aubrey?

10. How did Clarissa affect the crew of the Surprise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in The Wine-dark Sea.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

Essay Topic 2

There are a number of instances of foreshadowing in The Wine-dark Sea. Many of these instances, readers will recognize as probable foreshadowing; others, the readers may not be aware until the event which is foreshadowed occurs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term foreshadow. Why do you think authors foreshadow a future event? What might be a reader's reaction to a sudden tragic or wonderful event if there were no hints whatsoever that it might occur?

2. Find four events that are foreshadowed in and pair up the foreshadowing text with the event. Analyze each event to include the following: What is foreshadowed? Is the method O'Brian uses to foreshadow effective? Did you guess when a particular text was foreshadowing a future event? Did you guess what the event is?

3. Along with foreshadowing, symbolism usually plays a role in most works of fiction? How extensive is the use of symbolism in The Wine-dark Sea? Is there enough symbolism to add depth to the writing? Interest to the writing? Explain your statements with examples.

Essay Topic 3

The Wine-dark Sea takes place during the War of 1812 where Britain is fighting America; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of The Wine-dark Sea and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the War of 1812 begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the War of 1812 between Britain and America.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British navy during the War of 1812 to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

(see the answer keys)

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