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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. How do Aubrey and his group get to Corunna?

2. What is Maturin supposed to do about the leader of the British delegation?

3. What does Maturin say when Martin asks him about the laudanum?

4. What is Aubrey's primary goal in captaining the Surprise?

5. What does Maturin think about in relation to Batavia?

Short Essay Questions

1. From where do many of the crew come?

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

3. What kind of honor does Fox inquire about to Aubrey and what is Aubrey's answer?

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

5. What new orders are Aubrey given in Lisbon?

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

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

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

9. Who is Maturin's assistant, why is he on the Surprise and how are he and Maturin similar?

10. What do Aubrey and Maturin do after meeting with Fox?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though it is not as evident in this book as others, most of the entire series of novels concerning Captain Jack Aubrey takes place during the Napoleonic Wars; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of Thirteen Gun Salute and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the Napoleonic Wars begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the Napoleonic Wars between Britain and France.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British navy during the Napoleonic Wars to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

There are a number of literary elements that occur in many works of fiction. Irony is a means of increasing both the humor and the complexity of a story. O'Brien often includes irony in his Aubrey/Maturin series. Point of view is the way the story is narrated; all works of fiction have a point of view. Conflict is almost always present in a work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary terms irony, point of view and conflict.

2. Identify two instances of irony in Thirteen Gun Salute, offering examples from the text.

3. Identify the point of view of the novel and discuss why you think O'Brien chooses to use that particular point of view. Does the point of view seem to be the best one for Thirteen Gun Salute? Why or why not?

4. Identify two major conflicts in Thirteen Gun Salute. Are the conflicts completely resolved by the end of Thirteen Gun Salute? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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