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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 did Maturin find Fox?

2. How many guns does Diane have?

3. Where is the Buddhist monastery Maturin visits?

4. Who does Aubrey occasionally allow to come aboard the Diane?

5. What do both delegations do after several days of preparation?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Maturin and van Buren's relationship evolve?

2. Who is Van Buren and why does Maturin seek him out in Pulo Prabang?

3. How is Abjul executed?

4. What kind of news about the French delegation does Raffles tell Aubrey?

5. Why does Aubrey dislike Fox and how does the crew feel about Fox? What does that force on Fox?

6. What kind of daily observations does Aubrey take and why does he take them?

7. What does Fox believe and what does he do about the French delegation?

8. Where does Maturin go on a leave and how did he get there?

9. What does Maturin bring to van Buren's house and what do the two men do?

10. What surprises the English about the Sultan and their offer and what does Maturin think about the Sultan's behavior?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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. This was the purpose for the Surprise having a letter of marque. 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?

Essay Topic 3

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.

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