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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 kind of arrangements does Maturin make regarding Pulo Prabang?

2. What has caused the riot in Pulo Prabang that is happening when Maturin returns from the monastery?

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

4. Why did Fox see much of Maturin?

5. What have the midshipmen been doing with their journals on spherical trigonometry?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe, briefly, the Diane.

2. What island does Diane approach when the wind dies and she gets caught in a current?

3. How does van Buren assist Maturin?

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

5. What has caused the political riots occurring in Pulo Prabang when Maturin returns on leave?

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

7. How does the crew work on the Diane and what does Aubrey do with them?

8. What class do the midshipmen find boring and what do they do about it?

9. What kind and number of midshipmen does the Diane have and how does Aubrey handle them?

10. What is Fox's response to his situation and how does that affect Maturin?

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

At the conclusion of a novel, most readers either consciously or unconsciously engage in processing the book and usually come to a conclusion as to whether they like the book or not. Discuss one of the following:

1. Would you consider Thirteen Gun Salute a "good" book? Why or why not? Use examples to illustrate your stance.

2. What do you think are the elements of an outstanding novel? Analyze one of your favorite novels to see if those elements are present.

3. What are some reasons you might consider a novel a failure? Analyze a novel you think is a failure and see if those elements are in that novel.

Essay Topic 3

There are a number of instances of foreshadowing in Thirteen Gun Salute. Many of these instances, readers will recognize as probable foreshadowing; others, the readers may not be aware until the event which is foreshadowed occurs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term foreshadow. Why do you think authors foreshadow a future event? What might be a reader's reaction to a sudden tragic or wonderful event if there were no hints whatsoever that it might occur?

2. Find four events that are foreshadowed in and pair up the foreshadowing text with the event. Analyze each event to include the following: What is foreshadowed? Is the method O'Brian uses to foreshadow effective? Did you guess when a particular text was foreshadowing a future event? Did you guess what the event is?

3. Along with foreshadowing, symbolism usually plays a role in most works of fiction? How extensive is the use of symbolism in Thirteen Gun Salute? Is there enough symbolism to add depth to the writing? Interest to the writing? Explain your statements with examples.

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