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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. Where is the Surprise ordered?

2. In what country does Port Jackson lie?

3. What does Maturin start having about Clarissa?

4. What does Aubrey inspect with Tom?

5. What is causing contention among the ship's officers?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What does Aubrey offer Martin and what is his response?

3. What does the lookout spot as they are leaving the area of Norfolk Island and what does Aubrey decide to do about it?

4. Where do Surprise and Trulove sail and what passes between Maturin and Clarissa as they are sailing?

5. With whom does Aubrey confer on the island and what is the outcome?

6. What strategy do Maturin and Aubrey agree upon despite what misgivings?

7. What would the officers normally do to celebrate a wedding and how do they finally manage to do so?

8. What does Clarissa tell Maturin about which he is excited and what does he do?

9. What angers Aubrey about Padeen Coleman?

10. How does Clarissa end up at a penal colony in Australia?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Truelove brings to light the use of penal colonies by the British during the era in which THE TRUELOVE takes place. Discuss the following:

1. Research the British use of penal colonies? What is the significance of Port Jackson? What is Port Jackson today?

2. Do you think penal colonies were a positive solution to the problem of confining criminals in England? Why or why not?

3. What do you think is the impact of the development of Australia and other countries where England sent its criminals? Do you think there is any long-lasting impact upon the countries? Why or why not?

4. What do you think would happen if a major power today tried to ship its criminals to an undeveloped country?

Essay Topic 2

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 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--such as is the case when the Truelove is captured as a "prize." 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?

4. Which vessel(s) mentioned in Truelove fall under this maritime law and what are the circumstances of their capture? Does it seem fair?

(see the answer keys)

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