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. What kind of reputation does Lord Clonfert have?

2. How would Aubrey describe his wife's mother?

3. Which island is garrisoned by the British?

4. What do McAdam and Maturin discuss?

5. What does Aubrey use his station of commodore to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does the squadron go when it leaves Cape Town and what does Maturin do there?

2. What does Maturin write about in his journal and what does he continue to use?

3. Where does the squadron go after the ships are separated and what makes Aubrey angry?

4. What does Aubrey have the crew doing as they travel and why?

5. What is Bertie's attitude towards Aubrey and what does he do?

6. Describe the people who live with Aubrey.

7. What happens when Corbett comes to help Aubrey?

8. Why are England and France at war?

9. What does the British squadron do to the French, how long does it last and why does it stop?

10. What happens to Farquhar?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Clonfert holds Aubrey in high regard but also feels professional rivalry that occasionally borders on outright hostility. This continues throughout the novel, seriously clouds Clonfert's judgment, and drives Clonfert into a suicidal attack toward the end of the novel. Discuss the following:

1. Is professional rivalry between commanders on the same "side" helpful or harmful to the goal of winning a battle and/or war? Explain using examples from the book.

2. Competition in many forms is an acceptable state in most cultures. Do you think competition is a positive attribute of our culture? Explain with examples.

3. What happens when competition becomes obsession? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

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 Clonfert and Corbett.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of McAdam and Maturin.

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

Essay Topic 3

Readers learn that Aubrey's ship surgeon is heavily addicted to opium. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the use of opium is not regulated as it is today?

2. Do you think it is a more or less enlightened society that regulates personal drug use? Explain.

3. Do you think the execution of Maturin's duties are compromised by his frequent use of opium? Why or why not? Give examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 865 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample