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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. From whom does Aubrey receive several personal letters in Chapter two?

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

3. Who conducts the inspection of H.M.S. Surprise in chapter five?

4. How does Aubrey know he can trust the man he meets at Minorca?

5. What becomes of Bonden and Killick when Aubrey assumes his new command in chapter four?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Sophie Williams think of Maturin's approach to wooing Diana Villiers?

2. What details does Aubrey omit from his letter to Sophie about the land raid he and the crew perform while headed for Minorca?

3. How does Maturin react to the prospect of collecting biological specimens?

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

5. Why do Bonden and Killick stay with Stephen when they all return to England in chapter four?

6. What allusion does Maturin make while marooned on the rocks?

7. Why do Diana Villiers and Richard Canning leave England for India?

8. If the sea can represent peace to someone like Aubrey, how are the results of the terrible storm ironic?

9. Describe the encounter between Aubrey's crew members and the French guard detail at the prison.

10. During Aubrey's problems in chapter four, how does the relationship between Mrs. Williams and Sophie fare?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Weather plays quite a role in the novel. What impact do the storms at sea in particular have on Aubrey and Maturin?

Essay Topic 2

Political influence, then as now, often gets things done. Describe how political influence is used in the novel by both Maturin and Sir Joseph.

Essay Topic 3

As the two major characters in H.M.S. Surprise, are Stephen Maturin and Jack Aubrey foils for one another? Does each man stand out because the other is available for comparison?

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