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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 does Aubrey do about Corbett and Clonfert?

2. What kind of reputation does Lord Clonfert have?

3. What have the French been doing on the ocean that is a problem?

4. What does Maturin do on the first island on which he goes ashore?

5. What kind of ship is the Néréide?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when the squadron goes to Rodriguez and then where do they go and what happens there?

2. What does Aubrey do after receiving his orders?

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

4. What does Maturin say is the reason he has come to see Aubrey?

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

6. Who does Maturin meet up with accidentally and what does that person tell him?

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

8. 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?

9. How does Aubrey spend his time at home and how does he feel about being home?

10. How does Clonfert react to Aubrey's victory and how does McAdam respond?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maturin insists that the local citizens are not harmed during the conquest of La Reunion. Discuss one of the following:

1. How often do you think "innocent" civilians are killed during a war or conflict?

2. Is it immoral to harm non-combatants during a conflict? What if those non-combatants support their government's policies about the war/conflict?

3. In WWII, the US government targeted two cities in Japan with atomic bombs. The targets were not military targets and the intent was to kill as many people as possible, no matter their age, sex, or status. Is this an acceptable way to end a war?

Essay Topic 2

McAdam, Maturin and Aubrey at various times discuss one of the captains, Clonfert, Maturin even to suggesting at one point that perhaps Clonfert is homosexual. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the attitude towards homosexuality in British culture of the early 1800's with today.

2. Clonfert is said to be well-loved by his men, though he is effeminate. Do you think the military should recruit and/or draft openly-professing homosexuals? Explain with examples.

3. The strictures against homosexuality in the Western world is based upon the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition from the Torah, Bible and Koran. In countries where there is a separation of religion from the State, does it make sense to base laws about homosexuality or any victimless behavior based on religious rather than psychological views? Take a stance and discuss fully.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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