View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What rank are Bush and Brown?

2. What does Hornblower announce as he knocks on the door?

3. Why is the Count opposed to the current administration?

4. How is Bush injured?

5. How does Hornblower try to save Bush from execution?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does the Spanish warden help Hornblower? Why do you think he would do that? Do you think that makes him a traitor to his country?

2. What happens to Bush as the travel to Paris continues? Do you think people in that era were tougher than those today?

3. What is Hornblower told will be done with him? How would you feel if you were him?

4. Why does Colonel Caillard come to Rosas prison? What is Caillard like as a man? How do you think Hornblower felt about the man?

5. What happens to the coach that stops travel for a while?

6. Who is the owner of the house where the escapees knock to ask for aid? How does he treat the prisoners initially?

7. What do you think of the fact that of all the houses the men could have gone they happen to find one with occupants sympathetic to them?

8. What are mostly in Hornblower's thoughts as he waits his future?

9. What does Hornblower think about when told Admiral Leighton might die? Do you think his thoughts make him less that honorable?

10. How does Hornblower decide who will travel to Paris with him? Do you think it was a good choice?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast Hornblower to Bush.

2. Compare/contrast Brown to Bush.

3. Compare/contrast Hornblower to Brown.

Essay Topic 2

Hornblower is ordered to engage the French, though he is quite outnumbered and ultimately his ship is captured and 2/3 of his crew are killed or wounded. This is considered an "acceptable loss." Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the Admiral who orders Hornblower to "sacrifice" the Sutherland believes the loss of the ship and many lives is acceptable?

2. Many wars are fought under the assumption of "acceptable losses." Usually it is the common foot soldier who is doing most of the dying. In fact, the term "cannon fodder," is often used to describe infantry who are killed by the hundreds gaining small hills or bits of land, sometimes to lose the same piece of "real estate" several times with continuing loss of life. Is this truly acceptable?

3. Sometimes some will say that wars would be few and far between if those who decided to go to war had to be in the front lines. Do you think that would make a difference?

Essay Topic 3

In Chapter 6, while Hornblower sits in the coach fretting, he sees a rowboat bobbing on the river, and he forms an instant plan. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze Hornblower's ability to think quickly and take action to do what needs to be done.

2. Why do you think the ability to think quickly would be a valuable asset to one in a command position? Explain fully.

3. Do both Bush and/or Brown also demonstrate the ability to think quickly? How about clearly thinking? Explain fully.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,144 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample