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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. On what type of mathematical problem is Aubrey working?

2. Why doesn't Aubrey have a command?

3. What does Lady Clonfert request of Aubrey?

4. What has been garrisoned by British soldiers?

5. Who arrives with Aubrey's orders?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Maturin do in Cape Town?

4. What ship joins the squadron? What do the captains discuss? Where does the squadron go when it leaves Cape Town?

5. Who will be meeting the French force at Mauritius?

6. How does Colley fare in the long term and how does Aubrey feel about that?

7. What does Aubrey do with his pennant and what does Bertie tell him?

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

9. Who comes to visit Aubrey at the beginning of the novel? What does the person do and how long has it been since they've seen each other?

10. What does Aubrey manage to do in his first few days of the voyage to Mauritius?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During this era when the book takes place, if a vessel under the command of a naval officer captures another vessel from a country with whom they are warring or captures a pirate vessel, etc...the crew of the victorious vessel shares in the goods, money and value of the vessel. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British had such a policy in place then?

2. What are the possible abuses that can arise from such a policy?

3. Why do you think this policy is eventually abandoned?

Essay Topic 2

Patrick O'Brian has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think this book qualifies as historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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