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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 takes charge of the ship after the battle with the Dutch?

2. What does Larkin do during lunch one day?

3. What does Maturin decide about Wogan and Herapath?

4. What does Grant want to do as the ship continues to settle?

5. What does Herapath tell Maturin about opium?

Short Essay Questions

1. Meanwhile, Maturin has subtly informed Herapath--an American, it will be remembered--that should he gain the deck of La Fayette he would be free to leave with her; Aubrey would not risk an incident by boarding the American whaler. Do you think Maturin letting Herapath and Wogan escape was an act of treason?

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

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

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

5. Why is the Leopard outclassed by the Waakzaamheid?

6. How does Aubrey feel when the Dutch ship sinks?

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

8. Why does Aubrey think the Dutch captain keeps pursuing Leopard? Is this supposition of his confirmed?

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

10. Why is Leopard in danger in Chapter 8 and how much danger is there?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

Sailors are notoriously superstitious. Even Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in Desolation Island?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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