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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 do McAdam and Maturin discuss?

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

3. Why is Aubrey receiving only half pay?

4. For what is Stephen Maturin most known?

5. Who does Maturin accidentally meet?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do Maturin and McAdam do at Cape Town?

3. What do McAdam and Maturin discuss and how do they disagree on the subject?

4. Describe the people who live with Aubrey.

5. What does Pullings arrive in to help Aubrey and how does that turn out?

6. What has Pym done and how does Clonfert act when he hears? What does Clonfert decide to do?

7. Where does Clonfert capture a fort and what happens then?

8. What does Aubrey do after receiving his orders?

9. How does Aubrey feel about Bertie's actions and orders?

10. What does Aubrey do when he discovers he needs help? How does he feel about the response?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Aubrey chooses to wreck one of the ships in his fleet in order to provide a favorable landing situation. This is considered an "acceptable loss." Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Aubrey believes the loss of the ship is acceptable? Explain with examples.

2. Many wars are fought under the assumption of "acceptable losses." Usually it is the common foot soldier who is doing most of the dying. In fact, the term "cannon fodder," is often used to describe infantry who are killed by the hundreds gaining small hills or bits of land, sometimes to lose the same piece of "real estate" several times with continuing loss of life. Is this truly acceptable?

3. Sometimes some will say that wars would be few and far between if those who decided to go to war had to be in the front lines. Do you think that would make a difference?

Essay Topic 2

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in Mauritius.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

4. Compare/contrast one of the naval battles described in the novel with one from WWII.

Essay Topic 3

While Maturin is aboard Clonfert's vessel, he and McAdam, the Clonfert's surgeon, endlessly discuss whether it is worse to be addicted to alcohol (as McAdam) or opium (as Maturin). Discuss the following:

1. Do you think Maturin or McAdam's addiction is worse or about the same? Discuss using examples both from the text and your personal experience.

2. Do you think most people have one or more addictions? Why or why not?

3. Do you think some addictions are harder to discontinue than others? Why or why not?

4. Should one strive to be completely without addictions of any sort? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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