View a FREE sample

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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What changes in the ship's situation when the water pouring in slows down?
(a) The ship begins to float.
(b) The ship begins to move.
(c) The pumps can keep up with the inflow.
(d) They can quit using the pumps.

2. What type of surprise attack does the Dutch captain set up one night?
(a) Hitting the bow with a whaling harpoon.
(b) Sending swimmers over to board Leopard.
(c) Shooting fire arrows.
(d) Surrounding Leopard with small boats.

3. What does Maturin see medically in the crew?
(a) Signs that gaol fever is returning.
(b) The crew is healthy from all the hard work.
(c) Early signs of scurvy.
(d) Signs of bubonic plague.

4. What does Aubrey notice about the Dutch captain when the ship closes in?
(a) He is dressed in black.
(b) He is a Moor.
(c) He is not in uniform.
(d) He is someone Aubrey knows.

5. For what does Aubrey prepare the crew?
(a) Returning to the ice island to get the forge.
(b) Sailing without a rudder.
(c) Getting to Botany Bay before winter.
(d) Wintering on Desolation Island.

Short Answer Questions

1. What happens to the rudder when they pull away from the iceberg?

2. What happens when Aubrey pulls the ship away from the ice?

3. What surprises Aubrey when morning arrives?

4. What ethnic background is Boswell?

5. Who takes charge of the ship after the battle with the Dutch?

Short Essay Questions

1. La Fayette has a forge but Aubrey cannot in good conscience request a favor--England and America are nearly at war. Explain why Aubrey's decision to not ask for help was irresponsible to his crew and ship.

2. Why does Leopard end up too far south?

3. How does Aubrey win the battle with the Dutch ship?

4. 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?

5. What does the superstitious crew say about Larkin and about the Dutch ship?

6. The novel thus ends with Leopard ready to sail and Maturin finally freed of his weighty intelligence responsibilities. Do you think this ending was complete?

7. Describe Grant's capabilities during combat and during regular ship operations.

8. What does Aubrey have done to his cabin and why?

9. Grant is finally thrust into the position of leadership he has so long desired. How do you think he felt when he was able to take over the ship's operations?

10. What does the crew do after being safely anchored and what repair is impossible and why?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 862 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample