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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 do about Franklin?

2. Why did Martin spend a lot of time with the woman?

3. Who good is Aubrey at predicting Franklin's movements?

4. What does Surprise find out is the source of what was thought to be mortar fire?

5. What does Maturin do to record his observations about Martin?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Maturin's personal reason for going to Peru?

2. How does Reade accidentally slow down the Surprise?

3. What is Franklin's advantage in a chase with Surprise and why does it seem Franklin cannot shake the Surprise?

4. Why is West on the Surprise and what does he hope to obtain from Aubrey?

5. What does Vidal talk to Maturin about?

6. What were the mortar rounds the Surprise crew thought were being sent at them?

7. What does Franklin do to attempt to lose Surprise?

8. How did Clarissa affect the crew of the Surprise?

9. Why has Dutourd commissioned the Franklin and what does he plan to do?

10. What are two promotions Aubrey makes from the forecastle to replace recent losses?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Maturin acts as a covert agent for the Crown and attempts a covert operation in Peru.

1. What sort of covert operations does Maturin undertake? How similar do you think his covert operations are to that of an organization such as the CIA of today?

2. How is Maturin's role as a covert agent play a part in Peru's history?

3. Do you see any conflict of interests between being a doctor and also a covert operator? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

In addition to understanding the war in which O'Brian's novels are set, it is quite helpful to have a basic understanding of nautical terminology and the types of ships and their armaments that were used during the early 1800s. Discuss the following:

1. Define ten of the most commonly-used shipboard terms and discuss how those terms are used in The Wine-dark Sea.

2. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the ships used in the early 1800s?

3. How is the British navy organized during this period (early 1800s) and how different do you think it is organized today (including how one rises in rank).

Essay Topic 3

Sailors are notoriously superstitious. Even Aubrey, though very bright in many ways, is somewhat superstitious, a trait common to many sailors. Discuss the following:

1. What is superstition? Can you name a few common superstitions? Do any of them seem to have any validity in logic?

2. Why do you think sailors have the reputation for being superstitious? Do you think it is true? What superstitions are mentioned in The Wine-dark Sea?

3. What are some of the superstitions you are familiar with that sailors seem to believe? Do you believe any of them? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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