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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 does Aubrey feel about the crew of the Diane?

2. What kind of response does Diane have to sailing?

3. What charts does Aubrey hope to improve?

4. What was the sailing weather like for the Diane on her way to Pulo Prabang?

5. Where does Diane head after leaving Pulo Prabang?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe, briefly, the Diane.

3. What does Aubrey do with the midshipmen when he allows prostitutes aboard Diane and what do those midshipmen do?

4. Why can't Maturin collect specimens while on leave?

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

6. What does Maturin enjoy at the locale where he spends his leave time?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A work of fiction is often organized around a structure called a plot. Discuss the following:

1. Define plot and its major parts (rising action, climax, falling action, resolution [or denouement]). Write a sentence or two synopsis of the major plot of the Thirteen Gun Salute.

2. Identify where the parts of the plot seem to fall in Thirteen Gun Salute. Explain using examples.

3. Define the literary term "subplot." Write a sentence or two synopsis of a subplot in Thirteen Gun Salute.

4. Identify the major parts of the subplot you identified in task number 3.

5. Why do you think identifying the plot and elements of the plot is useful?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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