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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 leads the French Armada?

2. When they meet, what does Diana tell Maturin about her relationship with Canning?

3. What animal does Maturin catch on the coast of Brazil?

4. Why does Aubrey meet with the first lieutenant Stourton shortly after the ship sets sail out of Bombay?

5. What ideas does Aubrey take from his time with the China fleet?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

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

5. How are the officers of the H.M.S. Surprise treated by the China fleet?

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

7. Is there any point in the long voyage when the people on board are in grave danger?

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

9. What details about Diana's life in chapter seven suggest her morality might be questionable?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

Maturin throws naval terms about, but really has little knowledge of the sea and sailing vessels. Aubrey is a man at home on the water, but he faints at a surgical procedure. Why are these two men such devoted friends to each other? What does each give and receive in the relationship?

Essay Topic 3

A long voyage could be compared to a person's life. The voyage of the H.M.S. Surprise is months long and filled with adventure as well as some tedium. How does the voyage with its unsuccessful mission represent Aubrey's life?

(see the answer keys)

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