View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Where is Surprise bound?

2. What position does Blyth hold on the Diane?

3. From what British government action are the sailors of the Surprise exempt?

4. What does Maturin do as Aubrey is being reinstated?

5. What does Standish decide to do with the situation Sir Joseph has established?

Short Essay Questions

1. What kind of journey did Sir Joseph have from Corunna and why has he come to Lisbon?

2. Who shows up right before departure to join the crew and in what position?

3. What does Maturin think about Batavia and what is his hope?

4. Who reinstates Aubrey and under what conditions?

5. What is Aubrey and Pullings' relationship and how are they similar?

6. How is the ship's last addition to the crew handling the voyage and how does Aubrey feel about it?

7. Who is the Surprise's first lieutenant and what is his qualification?

8. What happens to Standish on the journey to Corunna?

9. Who owns the Surprise and what kind of work does the owner do?

10. What ship does Surprise see shortly after leaving England and what does Aubrey do?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss one of the following:

1. Thoroughly analyze how the setting informs the plot.

2. Trace and analyze one major theme of Thirteen Gun Salute.

3. Trace and analyze two secondary themes of Thirteen Gun Salute.

Essay Topic 2

Most protagonists are a mixture of admirable traits and character flaws, and Jack Aubrey is no exception. Aubrey's insight and a nearly infallible instinct tends to carry him through the various perils he encounters, yet he is also plagued with doubts and is not above an occasional act of adultery.

1. Trace and analyze situations when Aubrey demonstrates his instinct for handling problems at sea. Give specific examples to illustrate your analysis.

2. Trace and analyze Aubrey's character flaws, especially his ineptness on land, with business ventures and wandering eye as far as women are concerned.

3. Discuss how you think Aubrey's admirable traits helped his career in the Navy? How does Aubrey hide his character flaws so they have not impeded his career. Do any of those under his command seem to notice these flaws? Who? How does the reader know this?

Essay Topic 3

Captain Jack Aubrey is in some ways a larger-than-life hero. Despite incredible odds, he usually comes out on top, in Thirteen Gun Salute and in the others 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? Which is more interesting?

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 730 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample