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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 is the ship Surprise available for purchase?

2. Who are the men responsible for Aubrey's circumstances in England?

3. In what direction does Aubrey go in his first cruise of Surprise?

4. What color is Surprise painted in order to capture Spartan?

5. What do the new men on board the Surprise have to have in order to stay as crew?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Aubrey going to do for money with Maturin? What is Maturin and Aubrey's relationship?

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

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

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

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

7. Where has Spartan stashed its prizes and why?

8. 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?

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. To what is Maturin addicted and who discusses it with him?

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

Aubrey learns from Maturin that what he had perceived as a kick in the small of the back is actually a pistol ball--or bullet--lodged near his spine. In an excruciatingly painful but successful operation Maturin removes the ball. Much attention is given to the treatment of both wounds and illnesses by Maturin. Maturin seems far more advanced than the typical doctor of that era. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the medical remedies Maturin uses in THE LETTER OF MARQUE to that which would be done in our modern world.

2. Many wars are partially, if not completely, determined by factors other than the actual fighting. One of those factors is disease. Research and discuss how epidemics/pandemics have influenced the outcome of three different wars throughout history.

3. Discuss some of the medical remedies Maturin performs/uses that were probably not used in that era.

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)

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