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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. For whom does Maturin work covertly?

2. What nickname did the men call Aubrey?

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

4. On what date does the Diane leave port?

5. What kind of trip did Sir Joseph have to meet the Surprise?

Short Essay Questions

1. What ship is Aubrey in command of at the beginning of the book?

2. How does the captain of the Diane feel about being replaced and on what day does Aubrey take command?

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

4. What does Maturin think about as they sail along the coast of Ireland?

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

6. What does Maturin think about doing about the ship they saw and what does he decide?

7. What is Maturin's covert job?

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

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

10. What does Maturin think about in relation to Padeen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Though Thirteen Gun Salute is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Aubrey and Maturin. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Maturin and Sir Joseph. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Jack Aubrey, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

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

The near catastrophe at Inaccessible Island foreshadows the eventual wreck of Diane on the False Natunas. In the first encounter the island is obvious and obviously perilous while the latter island is invisible and invisibly dangerous. Discuss the following:

1. Symbolically, how do the two situations above relate to life in general?

2. How might the financial problems both Aubrey and Maturin are having be related to the above sentence? For example, what types of financial pitfalls are obvious and might be avoided and what types might be invisible and devastating?

3. In modern America, what types of situations within America's relationship to other nations in the world might qualify as obvious and obviously perilous and what might be invisible and invisibly dangerous?

(see the answer keys)

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