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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 find below decks?

2. How does Aubrey react to his discovery?

3. What does Aubrey order regarding pursuit?

4. In what country does Port Jackson lie?

5. With whom does Aubrey confer in Aubrey's cabin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the story behind Aubrey captaining the Surprise?

2. How does Aubrey ready his crew for battle and what is Clarissa's reaction to this?

3. Describe Captain Aubrey.

4. How does the inspection fare?

5. How does Clarissa come to be on board the Surprise and what does Aubrey say he is going to do about it?

6. What does Aubrey hope for on his return to England?

7. What else does Maturin do during the voyage to Moahu?

8. What do Maturin and Clarissa do during the voyage to Moahu?

9. What has Aubrey unwittingly violated by having Padeen Coleman aboard and why is that a serious thing to Aubrey?

10. Why are Aubrey and Pullings going below?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Truelove 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

Patrick O'Brian has tried as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think THE TRUELOVE qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in the book are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

Clarissa offers her life story to Maturin, stating her story in a monotone with little affect. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think Clarissa relates her story to Maturin in the way she does?

2. Do you think Clarissa would be treated as harshly today in the justice system? Why or why not?

3. What do you think would have happened to "cousin" Edward today if he were discovered to be using Clarissa and the other girl in the way that he does? Do you think the difference between today and then indicates a higher moral compass for modern society?

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