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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 do about his new orders?

2. What is Maturin and Aubrey's relationship?

3. What is the second lieutenant's nickname?

4. Who decides to hire Standish as his personal secretary?

5. When does Surprise catch the ship in question #32?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Standish ask for at Lisbon and how does Aubrey respond?

2. What will complicate Aubrey's new mission?

3. Who reinstates Aubrey and under what conditions?

4. What is the crew of the Surprise like?

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

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

7. What happens to the Surprise with Aubrey's new orders and what do Pullings and Aubrey arrange?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Thirteen Gun Salute is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following:

1. What are a couple advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are a couple disadvantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier, more difficult, or about the same to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

During this era in which Thirteen Gun Salute is set, there are strongly-adhered-to class distinctions. Aubrey and Maturin are both gentlemen. Discuss one of the following:

1. How do the divisions of class tend to make divisions among men? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a class-based society? What evidence is there of those advantages and disadvantages in Thirteen Gun Salute?

2. In the English military of that era, nobles and gentlemen generally were the officers and very few of the working or peasant class could cross the line and become officers. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such a system?

3. Do you think there is a class system in the United States? Does it carry over to the military? Why or why not? (Some research may be required.)

(see the answer keys)

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