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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. With whom does Surprise rendezvous unexpectedly?
(a) A French privateer.
(b) The USS Constitution.
(c) Several Indiamen.
(d) The HMS Dagger.

2. What does Dundas suggest to Aubrey?
(a) To take on Mr. Fielding as sailing master.
(b) To retire.
(c) To take on Mr. Allen as surgeon's assistant.
(d) To take on Mr. Allen as sailing master.

3. Who agrees to accept a lesser position on Surprise since he has no other options at the time?
(a) Mowett.
(b) Fielding.
(c) Martin.
(d) Tom Pullings.

4. What is ambergris?
(a) A waxy golden substance found in whale intestines.
(b) A substance rendered from boiling the blubber.
(c) A waxy golden substance found in whale brains.
(d) What is gotten when compressing the heart of a whale.

5. Why do whaling ships have prominent crow's nests?
(a) To signal other ships that a particular whale is a ship's find.
(b) To facilitate spotting whales.
(c) To balance the ship when a whale carcass is attached.
(d) To be able to bombard the whale from a goodly height.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Surprise to meet the HMS Danaë?

2. What was the mission when Mr. Allen sailed with Colnett?

3. What is Horner's position on board Surprise?

4. Why does Horner seek a consultation with Maturin?

5. Whom does Maturin observe trying to flirt with Mrs. Horner?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who is Midshipman Hollom, and what does Aubrey do concerning the man?

2. Describe Maturin and Aubrey's experience with some Polynesian women.

3. Who commands Surprise and what is the ship doing at the beginning of the novel?

4. Who fails to return to the ship and what is learned about them?

5. What letter does Maturin receive and how does he answer it, and what is hinted at concerning the disposition of the letter?

6. What happens to Surprise, and where do they go to take care of the problem?

7. What is wrong with the Danaë, and what does Aubrey do?

8. What happens to the whalers in the long boat?

9. What does Aubrey notice about the crew and how they align themselves?

10. With whom does Aubrey meet in Gibraltar and what is the rumor about him and Mrs. Fielding?

(see the answer keys)

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