View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Aubrey feel about his new situation?

2. On what is the Surprise waiting to sail?

3. What does Maturin give Aubrey as the ship in question #38 closes?

4. What does Maturin do for Padeen's pain?

5. Where are the two men from question #42 living now?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the final outcome of Aubrey's shakedown cruise?

2. How does Aubrey feel about the efficiency of the work on Surprise and why?

3. How does Padeen get injured and why does he continue to take pain medication?

4. What is one of the primary talks at the formal dinner aboard ship the night before sailing?

5. What is Aubrey concerned about in reference to his crew?

6. What does Maturin do and where does he do it right after he buys her?

7. What alleviates Aubrey's concerns in question #17?

8. What ship does Surprise raise at the end of the storm and what is that ship doing?

9. What ship closes with Surprise that is captained by a friend of Aubrey's and who is the passenger it has? What happens when the two ships meet?

10. What kind of crew does Aubrey obtain and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The British Navy in this era is very flexible in letting their Captains and other officers use their own style of command. Discuss the following:

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

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

3. Sometimes the crew will mutineer against a tyrannical Captain: Is mutiny ever justifiable? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Seemingly, reinstatement is within grasp, but Aubrey is too proud to accept it on any terms but his own. While most men would jump at the chance of an official pardon, Aubrey sees it only as an admission of guilt and declines. Aubrey's decision is not practical but instead is based on ideals. This marks a major turning point in Aubrey's characterization as it demonstrates that he is fully committed to correct principles.

1. Discuss Aubrey's refusal to accept a pardon and whether you think it is a foolish decision.

2. In light of the above statement discuss what is meant by the cliche "false pride" and whether you think Aubrey is afflicted with it.

3. There have been a number of documented cases in justice where a person refuses to plead guilty to a lesser charge because they were innocent of any charge and yet were convicted and sent to prison. Discuss what you believe you would do if you were charged with a crime you did not commit. For example, would you risk 20 years in prison to have a jury trial for a crime you did not commit or would you plead to a crime you also did not commit but would only put you in prison for a year?

Essay Topic 3

The Letter of Marque is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following?

1. What is one advantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What is a disadvantage 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 or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 957 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample