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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Aubrey think about the Dutch captain?
(a) He is new and wants to prove himself.
(b) He must be psychic.
(c) He must be devoted to combat.
(d) He must need money desperately.

2. What does Aubrey have done to his cabin?
(a) It has new carpet laid.
(b) It is expanded.
(c) He doesn't do anything to his cabin.
(d) It is reconfigured.

3. What does Boswell predict?
(a) A confrontation with Waakzaamheid.
(b) A fight between Herapath and Maturin.
(c) An unlucky voyage for Leopard.
(d) The ship will wreck on the South American coast.

4. Who takes charge of the ship after the battle with the Dutch?
(a) Grant.
(b) Pullings.
(c) Maturin.
(d) Babbington.

5. Why do many of the crew drop out of work?
(a) Lack of food.
(b) Lack of water.
(c) Exhaustion.
(d) Illness.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Aubrey have the crew doing at the end of Chapter 8?

2. What does Waakzaamheid try to destroy on Leopard?

3. What does the Gypsy woman name her daughter?

4. What are three food resources that Desolation Island has in abundance?

5. What do they have to do to Leopard before they can repair her hull?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aubrey decide to do after missing an island on which to land and who does he bring up as a possible reason for pessimism?

2. Why does Aubrey allow Grant and others to leave the ship?

3. La Fayette has a forge but Aubrey cannot in good conscience request a favor--England and America are nearly at war. Likewise, Putnam, La Fayette's master, will not request favors from Aubrey. Do you think it is strange that on an island in the middle of nowhere a ship's captain wouldn't be bound by some rule of hospitality? Why or why not?

4. Why do you think Maturin planted false information with Wogan?

5. What decision of Aubrey's does Grant criticize?

6. While the crew works, Maturin visits a small island in the bay--it is so encumbered of strange life that Maturin christens it Paradise. Why do you think Maturin named the island Paradise considering it is near Antarctica and is probably pretty cold?

7. What do you think Herapath's history with Wogan says about his character?

8. What does Herapath's relating his experience with opium cause Maturin to do and why?

9. What sort of mystical or less than "real" explanation is given as a cause for the ship's survival?

10. Of particular interest is the technical discussion concerning scurvy and Maturin's rather ridiculous speech regarding the desirability of flatulence. Indeed, the medical practices of the time are compelling and, one leaves one wondering about their efficacy. What do you think the mortality rate for medical treatment in those times might be? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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