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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 has bored a peeping hole in Wogan's quarters' wall?

2. Where does Aubrey weather the storm?

3. Into what does the Leopard crash?

4. What do Wogan and Herapath attempt to do about their feelings?

5. What does Maturin do after Wogan expresses an interest in Herapath?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Who does Aubrey encounter as they leave Brazil and what does he find out?

3. The rescue of Herapath begins the novel's restrained, intricate, and playful treatment of the sexually-charged atmosphere of a man-of-war with hundreds of men and three women--one of them obviously pregnant and all of them dangerous criminals. What do you think is meant by this statement?

4. Maturin begins to mention Herapath to Wogan as a unique case--she claims an interest because she had seen his fall. It seems simple enough to Maturin, and soon enough he discusses Herapath with Wogan freely. All along, the three maintain their innocence. What do you think it means when Maturin thinks Wogan's explanation is dimple enough?

5. Why has Villiers left her home?

6. What is Aubrey doing at the beginning of the novel?

7. Why is Maturin called to the Admiralty?

8. What happens to the convalescents on the ship?

9. What does Maturin find at Villiers' apartments?

10. Who visits Aubrey often and what does he find Aubrey involved in with his initial visit in this book?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Readers learn that Aubrey's ship surgeon, Maturin, is heavily addicted to opium. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the use of opium is not regulated as it is today?

2. Do you think it is a more or less enlightened society that regulates personal drug use? Explain.

3. Do you think the execution of Maturin's duties are compromised by his frequent use of opium? Why or why not? Give examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Much attention is given to the treatment of both wounds and illnesses by Maturin. Maturin seems far more advanced than the typical doctor of that era. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the medical remedies Maturin uses in Desolation Island to that which would be done in our modern world.

2. Many wars are partially, if not completely, determined by factors other than the actual fighting. One of those factors is disease. Research and discuss how epidemics/pandemics have influenced the outcome of three different wars throughout history.

3. Discuss some of the medical remedies Maturin performs/uses that were probably not used in that era.

Essay Topic 3

Maturin finds Aubrey engaged in pursuing get-rich-quick schemes when Maturin visits. Discuss the following:

1. Can someone be an honorable man, which Aubrey is reputed to be, and engage in get-rich-schemes? Why or why not?

2. Why do you think a ship captain of Aubrey's stature and fine reputation has to make money in other ways? Is this right?

3. What do you think would happen to a Captain in the United States Navy today if he were living a life of desolation?

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