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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 disguise do the three men don?

2. After passing through Blois, Chaumont, Amboise, Tour, and Langeais, what does Brown announce?

3. What do the men find awkward?

4. How does the fleet commander receive Hornblower?

5. What does the kitchen make?

Short Essay Questions

1. What characteristics of the three men enhance their disguises?

2. What does Hornblower and Bush do with Marie and the Count to help pass the time? How does Bush do with it?

3. What was a major development with Hornblower's wife and how might that have changed his affair with Marie?

4. How might their escape from the French be viewed and what additional bonus did they bring with their escape?

5. What would you say is the purpose of Chapters 11 and 12?

6. What is the writing style like in Chapters 11 and 12?

7. Why was the disguise as Dutch customs officials so suitable for where the men were going?

8. What worries Hornblower as the days in the count's house go by? What kind of visions does he have of her and Barbara?

9. Why does Hornblower discard his disguise so quickly?

10. What does the Count suggest will be good disguises for the men and how does he help them with the disguise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 4, Brown sits down to dinner for the first time in his life at a table with china and silverware. Brown is entirely self-conscious and manages to eat dinner only with difficulty. Discuss one of the following:

1. How do the divisions of class tend to make divisions among men? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a class-based society?

2. In the English military of that era, nobles and gentlemen generally were the officers and very few of the working or peasant class could cross the line into officer territory. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such a system?

3. Do you think there is a class system in the United States? Does it carry over to the military? Why or why not? (Some research may be required.)

Essay Topic 2

Forester has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Captain Horatio Hornblower 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 one of 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: Britian, France, or Spain.

(see the answer keys)

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