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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 does Maturin spend too much time doing as he walks to town?

2. What are the two types of crew present on Surprise?

3. How does Martin feel about Maturin's request?

4. What will be Surprise's first cruise with Aubrey as captain?

5. In what position will Killick work on the Surprise?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Aubrey decide to do about Spartan and what does he do in order to carry out his plan?

3. Why is Maturin late for Surprise's sailing?

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

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

6. What type of work does Maturin do and for what is he also known?

7. Where has Spartan stashed its prizes and why?

8. What do Maturin and Martin do after they join the ship's company and how does Aubrey feel there? What happens to encourage Aubrey?

9. What does Aubrey do about the ship they raise near the end of the storm? What does Maturin find out from a man on the ship?

10. What ship first approaches Surprise on Aubrey's first shakedown cruise and why? How does Aubrey feel about the authorization Maturin has?

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

Though this novel is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Aubrey and Maturin. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Maturin and Sir Joseph. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Jack Aubrey, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

(see the answer keys)

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