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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In chapter five, Maturin and Nicolls set off in a rowboat to what location?
(a) They take an extended trip to a deserted monastery.
(b) They row to the shore of Brazil.
(c) They go to St. Paul's Rocks.
(d) They row to another English vessel.

2. Who wants to examine the biological specimens on St. Paul's Rocks?
(a) Mr. White.
(b) Maturin.
(c) Stanhope.
(d) Aubrey.

3. Nicolls confesses what to Maturin on their journey?
(a) He has strange medical symptoms.
(b) He is engaged in adultery.
(c) He talks about his early life as a thief.
(d) He wants to command his own ship.

4. What is the name of the officer who witnesses the Port Mahon rescue and slips into the night?
(a) Bonden.
(b) Maragall.
(c) Admiral Harte.
(d) Dutourd.

5. At the beginning of the book, with whom is Dr. Stephen Maturin recently involved romantically?
(a) Sophie's sister.
(b) Sophie.
(c) Diana Villiers.
(d) A secret romantic interest.

6. What does Aubrey leave on the H.M.S. Surprise as a token of an earlier encounter?
(a) He stashes letters in a secret compartment.
(b) He leaves a cache of silver.
(c) He leaves the French code book.
(d) He carves his initials on the main cap.

7. What is found on the French gunboat that may aid Aubrey against the French?
(a) Intercepted English messages.
(b) Current French codebook.
(c) Cache of weapons.
(d) An English prisoner.

8. What becomes of Bonden and Killick when Aubrey assumes his new command in chapter four?
(a) They do not get to port in time to sail.
(b) They fight at a tavern and are thrown in jail.
(c) Killick serves with Aubrey but Bonden disappears.
(d) They serve aboard the H.M.S. Surprise.

9. Who conducts the inspection of H.M.S. Surprise in chapter five?
(a) Mr. White.
(b) Admiral Harte.
(c) Maturin.
(d) Aubrey.

10. In chapter two, where is Maturin imprisoned?
(a) In London.
(b) Port Mahon.
(c) On a French ship.
(d) Stockade near Paris.

11. At the close of chapter three, what symbol of peace does Aubrey return to?
(a) Familiar monotony of picket blockade.
(b) Sophia's home.
(c) England.
(d) The sea.

12. What is Maturin's preferred method of recovery when he returns to Britain from Port Mahon?
(a) He resorts to herbal tonics.
(b) He takes the waters at Bath.
(c) He tries some poultices.
(d) He is attended to by Scottish physicians.

13. What history, if any, does Aubrey have with the H.M.S. Surprise?
(a) H.M.S. Surprise is another blockade vessel.
(b) He hears the H.M.S. Surprise is bad luck.
(c) He serves on the vessel when he is younger.
(d) He's never heard of the vessel.

14. In chapter one, with whom does Sophie Williams meet?
(a) Jack Aubrey.
(b) Dr. Stephen Maturin.
(c) Sir Joseph Blain.
(d) Her cousin Diana.

15. How do Maturin's travel plans in chapter four involve Mr. Stanhope?
(a) Stanhope will captain Maturin's vessel.
(b) Stanhope is the steward assigned to Aubrey.
(c) Maturin hires Mr. Stanhope for the voyage.
(d) Stanhope is the envoy going to Kampong.

Short Answer Questions

1. What is Canning's religious background?

2. When Aubrey first goes ashore on Minorca, who approaches him and wants to talk about Maturin?

3. What does Aubrey hope to make the Port Mahon rescue appear to be?

4. How does Mrs. Williams react to Aubrey's situation in chapter four?

5. Is there any lingering worry tied to the escape at Port Mahon?

(see the answer keys)

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