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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 learn?

2. What does Aubrey do about Corbett and Clonfert?

3. Who is Colonel Keating?

4. Who reaches Cape Town?

5. With what is Clonfert well acquainted?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maturin do on La Reunion?

2. From whom does Aubrey receive a note and what does it ask and why does he laugh about it?

3. Describe the people who live with Aubrey.

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

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

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

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

8. What does Aubrey have the crews doing on the voyage?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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