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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. Who is appointed as acting third lieutenant after Maturin returns without Nicolls?

2. What maneuvering is involved in getting Maturin and his patient to their destination?

3. What does Stanhope's physical condition push Aubrey to do in spite of safety concerns?

4. What gift does the Seringapatam's captain make to Jack Aubrey?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Maturin's desired outcome for Canning not come to pass?

2. How are Aubrey and Maturin's lives complicated by women in chapter seven?

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

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

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

6. Why might Pullings be disappointed with the actions of Mr. Hervey's uncle while the H.M.S. Surprise is anchored at Bombay?

7. What ruse is used to fool the French armada about the strength of the China fleet?

8. What is the Marine Captain Etherege's approach to Maturin's desire to get satisfaction from Canning?

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

10. Why is Babbinton's promotion only considered an acting appointment?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Debtor's prison is a concept that is unfamiliar to today's Western society. What is the logic of a debtor's prison? What do we do today to a person who defaults on loans? Why do you think the author includes this concept?

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

Early in the novel, Stephen Maturin willingly discusses Jack Aubrey with Sophia who is engaged to Jack. That personal conversation contrasts with Maturin's awkward advice when Mr. Nicolls confesses misdeeds on their excursion to St. Paul's Rocks. What is the difference between the two conversations? What is Maturin's attitude toward Sophia and toward Nicolls? Does either conversation bring up any past incidents in Maturin's mind? What does Maturin's reaction in each conversation tell us about him?

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