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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 Fox leave with his clerk?

2. What does Maturin play up?

3. To what island does Aubrey transport the person in question 38?

4. Why does Maturin collapse?

5. Where departs for Batavia in one of the ship's boats?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is Surprise spending so much time in port?

2. How does Maturin help the effort to catch the Cornélie?

3. How does Maturin spend much of his time, and what do the men do besides working on the boat?

4. What does Aubrey realize and what is his response?

5. What does Aubrey offer Maturin and why do they decide to go to Sweeting's Island?

6. How and why does Aubrey modify the Nutmeg of Consolation?

7. What does Maturin do with the girls?

8. Where does Li Po take the men and what important information Maturin gain along the on the trip?

9. Upon what factors does Aubrey's plan hinge?

10. What does Cornélie do in response to the Nutmeg of Consolation fleeing the harbour?

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?

4. Which vessel(s) are mentioned in The Nutmeg of Consolation that fall under this maritime law and what are the circumstances of their capture? Does it seem fair?

Essay Topic 2

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in The Nutmeg of Consolation and in the other books in the series. Discuss the following:

1. Does having a larger-than-life hero make that person less of a hero? In other words, which is more admirable--a hero who ultimately always "lands on his feet," or one who strives against impossible odds and doesn't succeed?

2. Does a character have to be successful in order to be a hero? Explain your answer.

3. Choose one other character besides Aubrey who you might call a hero/heroine and explain why you choose that person.

4. Does every work of fiction have to have a hero? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 3

Maturin acts as a covert agency for the Crown and uses his intelligence connections to slow down Cornélie's resupplying in order to give The Nutmeg of Consolation a chance to catch up and capture the French vessel.

1. What sort of covert operations does Maturin undertake? How similar do you think his covert operations are to that of an organization such as the CIA of today?

2. How much does Maturin's covert operations effect good outcomes for the The Nutmeg of Consolation and other British endeavors during The Nutmeg of Consolation?

3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not.

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