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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 Hornblower do when the Natividad is first sighted?

2. What did Hornblower feel bred mutiny?

3. Where exactly in South America was Hornblower expected to open trade for England?

4. How is Lydia successful in taking Natividad?

5. Which of the crew likes to rap the seamen with his rattan cane?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hornblower do with the captured officers and crew of Natividad?

2. Describe the actual battle that ensues after Lydia takes Navtividad by surprise?

3. Why do you think it was a wise decision of Hornblower not to get familiar with his lieutenants and to remain aloof and close-mouthed?

4. What is the stragegy that El Supremo lays out to Hornblower about conquest?

5. What was weighing heavily on Captain Hornblower's mind after 7 months at sea?

6. How did Horatio Hornblower prove himself a good captain during the section "The Prosperous Voyage"?

7. What appears on the beach the morning after Hornblower's visit to El Supremo's palace?

8. Which supplies was Lydia out of or low on after seven months at sea?

9. Hornblower is not close to any of the crew under him and neither is El Supremo close to his men. What are some of the differences between Hornblower's relationship with his men and the behavior El Supremo exhbits toward his men?

10. Describe the incident which took place in the village near where Lydia was anchored?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1) Describe how the Spanish lugger's officers board the Lydia disclosing that Spain is now the ally of England.

2) What did Napoleon do that angered the Spaniards so much that they no longer sided with France but became the allies of England?

3) What is the reaction of the Spaniards to Hornblower's confession that he captured the Natividad and turned it over to El Supremo?

4) Choose one of the three topics to write on.

Essay Topic 2

Using what you've learned about sailing ships of the early 19th century in this novel, write an essay describing why you would like to take an extended trip on an early 19th century sailing ship. Where would you go? Would you want to be a passenger of a member of the crew?.

Or Write an essay on why you would not like to take a trip on an early 19th century sailing ship? Give your reasons.

Essay Topic 3

1) Describe Hornblower's thoughtful consideration of every aspect of the ships and their crews in his decision about various courses of action. Forester describes these considerations of Hornblower as "tortuous mental calculations."

2)-Describe what Hornblower decides to do when there isn't enough wind to sail near the Natividad for battle.

3) Describe the custom of pressing men into sea duty as crewmen. What types of men were pressed into service? Did they have any background in how to sail a ship? What did Hornblower know had to be done with them?

4) Choose one of the three topics to write on.

(see the answer keys)

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