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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. As the voyage progresses around South America, does the health of Stanhope improve?

2. How does Diana respond to Maturin's proposal of marriage?

3. Who is waiting for Maturin at his lodging when Maturin returns from meeting with Diana?

4. While in Bombay, what does Maturin learn becomes of Sophie's sisters?

5. Does Stanhope's death come as a surprise to others on the H.M.S. Surprise?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Maturin's reaction to Dil's death?

2. Why is Maturin's meeting with Canning awkward?

3. How does Stanhope's ill health finally affect Aubrey and his crew?

4. How does the East India Company reward Aubrey and the the East India Company?

5. How effective is Maturin's solution for Stanhope's health after the convulsing?

6. Why is Stephen Maturin so visibly upset when he returns to the H.M.S. Surprise in chapter eight?

7. Why does Aubrey call together the captains when the H.M.S. Surprise returns to the China fleet?

8. Both Aubrey and Maturin entertain their shipmate's with stories and knowledge of sailing. Which man is more credible?

9. Why is Maturin's recovery of health surprising in chapter six?

10. What is Maturin's goal at the duel?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Both Stephen Maturin and Jack Aubrey assert control of their destinies. Maturin has the advantage of fortune, but Aubrey's heroism gains him position as well. What about the two major female characters? Do Sophia and Diana have control over their own fates? How does each woman assert herself?

Essay Topic 2

Foreshadowing is a plot device that prepares the readers for turns the story may take. Discuss foreshadowing in the novel. What happens or appears early in the novel and comes to be important in later chapters?

Essay Topic 3

The H.M.S. Surprise by Patrick O'Brian is set in history over 200 years ago. Do you think the story can be told as well if set in today's society? What major changes can be made? How might the morality of society and the characters be different?

(see the answer keys)

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