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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 Lord Cuthbert Collingwood?

2. Where does Hornblower gain his first view of Atropos?

3. Where does Hornblower play with his son?

4. Why is Atropos unprepared for immediate departure?

5. What does Hornblower find stressful?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hornblower do when he hears a shot in the foggy distance?

2. What is recovered from the sea and what does Hornblower figure out from the object?

3. What happens at Oxford to relieve Hornblower of his volunteer job and then what does Hornblower do?

4. Who and what does Hornblower take on board at Gibraltar?

5. What do Hornblower and Maria do after leaving the wherry?

6. How is Hornblower feeling and why is it a blessing in disguise?

7. What is Hornblower's next mission after joining the fleet?

8. Describe the boat's journey from the tunnel to Oxford.

9. How does Hornblower respond to Eisenbeiss's blusters?

10. How does Hornblower get the Atropos ready for departure?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During this era when Hornblower and the Atropos takes place, if a vessel under the command of a naval officer captures another vessel from a country with whom they are warring or captures a pirate vessel, the crew of the victorious vessel shares in the goods, money and value of the vessel. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British and other countries had such a policy in place then?

2. What are the possible abuses that can arise from such a policy?

3. Why do you think this policy is eventually abandoned?

4. Which vessel(s) are mentioned in Hornblower and the Atropos that fall under this maritime law and what are the circumstances of their capture? Does it seem fair?

Essay Topic 2

Many of the series of novels concerning Horatio Hornblower take place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time engenders greater understanding and appreciation of Hornblower and the Atropos and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

3. Compare/contrast the importance of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

4. Trace and analyze how it is obvious that Hornblower and the Atropos is set during the Napoleonic Wars.

Essay Topic 3

Hornblower and the Atropos, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note (until he arrives back home). Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most) people want what they perceive as a happy or good ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of Hornblower and the Atropos and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Hornblower and the Atropos is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, stimulate thought? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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