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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. What vessel will Aubrey be captaining once he arrives in England?
(a) The Northhampton.
(b) The Acasta.
(c) The Leopard after its refitting.
(d) The York.

2. What is going to happen to the Leopard's crew?
(a) They will stay with the Leopard.
(b) They will sail back to England and be assigned to other ships.
(c) The Admiral has not yet decided.
(d) They will be disbursed among the Admiral's other ships.

3. How long is the life boat in which Aubrey and his men float?
(a) 18 feet.
(b) 24 feet.
(c) 14 feet.
(d) 32 feet.

4. Why does Christmas of 1812 pass with some gloom?
(a) The sailors are not in the thick of the war.
(b) Aubrey's men had expected to celebrate Christmas in England.
(c) The war is not over.
(d) The war is not going well.

5. What is going to happen to the Leopard?
(a) It is being scuttled.
(b) It is being refitted with larger canons.
(c) It is being sold to a private merchant.
(d) It is being converted to a transport.

Short Answer Questions

1. What has been the outcome of those encounters?

2. What famous joke of Aubrey's does Aubrey perpetuate on Maturin?

3. How experienced is Maturin in cricket?

4. What happens after several days in the sun?

5. What is Maturin carrying when his turn at bat arrives?

Short Essay Questions

1. What tone for the novel is set and how is it set by the references to "Abraham"?

2. Do you think it is helpful for the author to present some background information from other books in the series, particularly the one just preceding this one?

3. What do you think is a possible cause of La Flèche catching fire and exploding?

4. What do you think it means that the officers are paroled and why is this so?

5. What surprises Aubrey once he is quartered at Asclepia?

6. Why do you think the USS Constitution leads the Java on a long chase to sea?

7. Why do you think the HMS Leopard is being converted to a transport?

8. Why do the boats become separated and what are the advantages and disadvantages of that happening?

9. Why do you think Aubrey argues so strenuously to retain his lieutenants and midshipmen?

10. What does Maturin learn that explains the Navy's treatment of Aubrey?

(see the answer keys)

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