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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 is Maturin's occupation?

2. What composer do Aubrey and Maturin discuss?

3. What does Mowett scold Maturin for on the ship?

4. How does Thornton feel about ship visiting?

5. What region is Thornton most worried about with the blockade?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Aubrey avoid Maturin when he first comes aboard the ship?

2. What does Aubrey think of Ismail Bey?

3. Why is it so surprising that Aubrey is able to defeat Mustapha?

4. What is Maturin's job?

5. Please explain the relationship between Maturin and his wife.

6. Why is a blockade duty so wearing on a ship and its crew?

7. What happens when a strong wind blows birds over the ship?

8. What does Aubrey do to try and save the sinking Worcester?

9. Why does Thornton turn his command over to Harte?

10. Why do the crewmen of the Worcester not want to transport Parsons?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is strange about the relationship between Maturin and his wife, and what bearing does this have on his career?

Essay Topic 2

How do people respond to the optimism of Martin, and what are their reasons for this?

Essay Topic 3

Symbolism is a very prevalent literary device used by Patrick O'Brian. What are some of these symbols, and how does their presence affect the course of the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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