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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 are his attackers?

2. What does Maturin want from Herapath?

3. Where does Villiers go after Maturin collapses?

4. As what is Maturin finally identified?

5. Why is Herapath glad that Villiers is leaving?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is humorous about Aubrey's daily observations of the bay?

2. What do you think is interesting about the fact that Johnson spends large sums of money and time gathering intelligence for the United States and is it likely that someone would do that in this age?

3. Who ambushes Maturin and what is humorous about his actions?

4. Why do you think Aubrey feels it is justified to violate his "parole," which he gives as an officer and gentleman?

5. What happens to Maturin in Chapter 7 that makes it obvious that he needs to come up with a viable escape plan very soon?

6. Why does Maturin hedge about being an agent even though he has no intention of accepting the position?

7. Why does Maturin think Wogan does not know he disseminated bad intelligence and what do you think he should do about it?

8. How does George Herapath's attitude towards Wogan seem ironic or hypocritical?

9. Who is Harry Johnson and what is his connection to Wogan?

10. How does Maturin figure out that he has been identified as the intelligence officer and what is the implication?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Sailors are notoriously superstitious. Even Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in THE FORTUNE OF WAR?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Some discussion takes place throughout the novel about various Captains and their command style. Discuss the following:

1. Whose command style seems most effective? Why? Give examples.

2. Whose command style seems least effective? Why? Give examples.

3. Is mutiny ever justifiable? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Most of the entire series of novels concerning Captain Jack Aubrey takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of this book and others in the series. Discuss 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. Write an expository essay on how the Napoleonic War affects the social culture of one of the following countries: Britian, France, or Spain.

(see the answer keys)

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