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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. Why does Rowan come aboard the ship?

2. Why does Aubrey like Latham's ship so much?

3. How does Maturin's wife describe his habits?

4. Why do birds land on the ship?

5. What is the name of Dundas's ship?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why is Maturin rarely at home?

3. What does Aubrey think of Sciahan Bey?

4. What happens when Maturin boards the Worcester?

5. Why is Aubrey so worried about Thornton's health?

6. Why is is so hard for Aubrey to make an agreement with Sciahan at first?

7. What format is Chapter 4 set up in?

8. How does Martin convince people to not hurt the birds?

9. Why does Aubrey choose to captain the Worcester even though he doesn't want to?

10. What does blockade duty entail?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Patrick O'Brian presents the idea that there are two sides to every man. Choose three of the characters from the book and write about their dual natures and how this duality affected the characters around them.

Essay Topic 2

There were many characters in this book who were manipulated and persuaded to do things they did not want to do. What were some of these instances, and how were those characters affected by the manipulation?

Essay Topic 3

War is a major theme in this book. Where does this theme appear, and what effects does the inclusion of this theme have on the tone and message of the book?

(see the answer keys)

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