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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. Who is Ned Johnson?

2. What surprises Hornblower about Ramsbottom?

3. How does Johnson come across to Hornblower?

4. For what activity does Ramsbottom have a penchant?

5. What happens while Hornblower is in the garden area during the ball?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe the area where Hornblower and Spendlove are being held.

2. What does Hornblower learn from the Dutch and Spanish ministers with whom he converses?

3. What does Hornblower do to keep the various authorities in the area from being upset at Hornblower and the English?

4. Where do Hornblower and Spendlove figure they are?

5. How does Hornblower manage to avoid a confrontation with Spanish and Dutch officials and where does Hornblower go from Puerto Cabello?

6. What are the implications of the capture of the Helmond?

7. What do the pirates decide to do about the delivery of the letter and how does Hornblower react?

8. What does Hornblower do once he reaches Puerto Cabello?

9. What does Hornblower learn on his tour of the Bride of Abydos and what is his reaction?

10. Who does Hornblower meet ashore at Puerto Cabello and what ensues while Hornblower is ashore?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Hornblower and Spendlove are kidnapped by a ragtag group of former pirates in Chapter 3. Discuss the following:

1. What does it say about this band of men and women who seem to believe that what Hornblower reads aloud as far as what he has written is true? Do you think that those who cannot read might think those who can are more honorable or would not write something down different from what they say is written down? Do you think this band feel some inherent trust towards Hornblower?

2. Why do you think Ned is serving as the leader? If he is the leader, what sort of people must his followers be? Is it leadership by acclaim or default? Which type of leadership would be more effective?

3. How do you think the pirates feel when suddenly they no longer have the upper hand and are being bombarded by light mortar? Do you think they feel Hornblower betrays them? Why or why not?

4. When the few surviving pirates are captured, they are eventually hanged. How would they be treated in the justice system of the United States today? Which system seems more fair--the one in which Hornblower operates or today in the United States?

Essay Topic 2

ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER IN THE WEST INDIES is one book in a series of novels involving Horatio Hornblower. Discuss the following.

1. What is one advantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters?

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation with Hudnutt and Hornblower with Hornblower being musically deaf and asked to judge an issue that has to do with music. What is the irony of Hornblower's name in this situation? Discuss the irony of Hornblower lying to Cambronne about Napoleon's death and then it being true. How does irony add to the enjoyment of reading?

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use of and meaning of the steam engine, the Napoleonic-era uniforms, the bearskin cap, the name of Ramsbottom's boat after renaming it (Desperate) and the seal of office that Ned Johnson requests on the pirates' pardon.

3. Discuss the use of foreshadowing in literature. What is the purpose of foreshadowing? Cite 3 examples of foreshadowing and how it is used to indicate events to come in ADMIRAL HORNBLOWER IN THE WEST INDIES.

(see the answer keys)

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