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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. What mission is Aubrey given?

2. What island does the Surprise sail past?

3. Why do whaling ships have prominent crow's nests?

4. Why does Aubrey contrive to cross the equator on Sunday?

5. What does Martin say he has been contemplating?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Horner do to himself and how does the crew react?

2. How does Mr. Martin come to join the crew of the Surprise?

3. With what is much of the early voyage of Surprise taken?

4. What does Aubrey discover on the island and in the water approaching the island?

5. What does Horner confront Maturin about and what is Maturin's response?

6. What does Maturin hear the crew discussing, and what does Maturin do?

7. What does Aubrey learn about Norfolk and how does his haste ultimately slow things down?

8. What is the situation between the British and Americans?

9. What does Aubrey decide to do with the new information and how does Maturin feel about Aubrey's decision?

10. Who is in the long boat that pulls alongside Surprise and what do they tell Aubrey?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Patrick O'Brian has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think The Far Side of the World qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Thirteen Gun Salute and in the others in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed? Which is more interesting?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The Far Side of the World is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following.

1. What are a couple advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are a couple disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier, more difficult, or about the same to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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