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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. Nicolls confesses what to Maturin on their journey?

2. When church services are held on Sunday in chapter 5, who preaches the sermon?

3. How successful is Aubrey's message of flashes when he first gets to Minorca?

4. How long does the rescue of Maturin take?

5. After the secret meeting with Sophie in chapter four, where does Aubrey go with Maturin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do Aubrey and his men intend to do when they gather at the prison where Maturin is being held?

2. After the planned rendezvous with Maturin at Minorca, what is Captain Aubrey supposed to do concerning the H.M.S. Lively?

3. Describe Dr. Stephen Maturin's relationship with Sophie Williams.

4. Why is the voyage to Kampong be good for Stephen Maturin?

5. How does Aubrey learn he is to break station and sail to Minorca?

6. What is the condition of the prisoner Maturin when Aubrey's crew take him away from the prison?

7. Why does Maturin discuss Captain Jack Aubrey with Sophie?

8. What prospects of freedom do the freed prisoners have?

9. During the meeting of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, why is Sir Joseph Blain worried about the First Lord's mention of Dr. Stephen Maturin?

10. What negative influences have an impact on Jack Aubrey's career?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

If it is the role of an antagonist to set obstacles in the way of the protagonist, who is then be considered the protagonist, and who is the antagonist in the novel? Explain using passages from the book.

Essay Topic 2

A novel may have more than one theme, but each theme includes a subject and a verb. To say the theme of a poem is war, for instance, is incomplete. More appropriate would be to say the theme is that war is futile. Discuss a major theme in the novel H.M.S. Surprise. Explain why you believe it is a major theme and use evidence from the book to support your point.

Essay Topic 3

From the people who talk about or to Canning of the East India Company, what impression do you get of the status of Jews in that society? Consider in particular Marine Captain Etherege's comments and advice to Maturin.

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