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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. Who reaches Cape Town?

2. Who is Colonel Keating?

3. On what type of mathematical problem is Aubrey working?

4. With what is Clonfert well acquainted?

5. What will happen in Mauritius if the British military campaign is successful?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Maturin go ashore at Mauritius and what information does he use?

2. How do the British officials at Cape Town feel about Aubrey's first naval action and what do they do there with the ships?

3. Who joins Clonfert and what does he do? What happens to two English frigates with them?

4. What do the three men say about the captains of the other ships?

5. What does Maturin do on La Reunion?

6. What does Clonfert do when Pym is doing something else?

7. With whom do Aubrey and Maturin spend most of their time aboard the frigate and how does Aubrey feel about this man?

8. What has happened to Corbett?

9. How does Aubrey think about Colley's recovery?

10. What news arrives in Cape Town, and what is Maturin given and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Chapters 7 and 8 see Aubrey's command fall from the pinnacle of early success to the nearly catastrophic as unrestrained personal egos lead British forces to constant defeat. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Aubrey tolerates his fleet taking so much independent action? Do you think he has a choice?

2. One of the traits of a good leader is to not over lead, yet offer enough leadership for the success of the mission. Analyze one battle from with this idea in mind and decide if Aubrey is a good leader.

3. What other traits of a good leader does Aubrey demonstrate?

4. Are there any leadership traits that Aubrey seems to lack? What are they?

Essay Topic 2

When one of the sailors on board Aubrey's ship has a skull fracture and subsequent operation, Aubrey links his chances of a successful naval battle with the successful recovery of the injured seaman. Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in Mauritius Command?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

It seems that though several of the Captains are quite capable and competent, their personal character defects affect either the outcome of a battle or impact their personal lives. Discuss the following:

1. How does Pym's character defect(s) affect the outcome of an important naval battle? Should he be disciplined for his actions?

2. How does Clonfert's character defect(s) affect the outcome of an important military operation?

3. How does Aubrey's character defect(s) affect his personal life?

4. Is it likely to find a group of men (or women) in command who would not have fairly strong egos that could impact their decisions?

(see the answer keys)

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