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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 is Maturin asked to do?

2. How does the crew feel about Wogan?

3. What is one purpose of Aubrey's trip?

4. What does Maturin organize after the storm?

5. What does Aubrey tell Maturin about the card players he's been with?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aubrey find when he inspects the prisoners' quarters and what happens when he sees Wogan?

2. Wogan's viewing of Aubrey's nude body is humorous and a fictional inversion of usual events. Why do you think the scene is an inversion of usual events?

3. What kind of storm does Aubrey hit when he first sails and what does he do about it?

4. What does the ship enter farther north than usual and what happens when it is there?

5. Who is Louisa Wogan and what happened to her?

6. What does Maturin find at Villiers' apartments?

7. With whom is Maturin enamored and how is that going for him?

8. Why has Villiers left her home?

9. Who is Lieutenant Grant and what is Aubrey's problem with him?

10. What happens to the convalescents on the ship?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The British Navy in this era is very flexible in letting their Captains and other officers use their own style of command. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective? Why? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems least effective? Why? Give examples.

3. Sometimes the crew will mutineer against a tyrannical Captain: Is mutiny ever justifiable? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

The Dutch ship Waakzaamheid is pursing the English vessel Leopard. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the Dutch are after an English Naval vessel? (May require a little research.)

2. Why do you think Aubrey is desolate at the loss of the men on the Dutch ship when the Dutch ship is clearly the aggressor?

3. Many times soldiers and sailors are placed under an incompetent commander or one who does not care about loss of life as long as a goal is obtained. The Dutch commander seems to fall under the second group. What recourse do you think soldiers/sailors have under such circumstances? What recourse should be legislated?

Essay Topic 3

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Captain Jack Aubrey takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

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

4. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britain, France, or Spain.

(see the answer keys)

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