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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 has risen from the sea in the region where Surprise is sailing?

2. What seems to happen to the water below the ship?

3. What did the woman's presence on board do to the crew?

4. What surprises Dutourd about Aubrey's review of his documents?

5. What does the British want to happen in South America?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Maturin write to Diana about Martin and how does Martin and Maturin's friendship fare?

2. What does Dutourd say about surrender and what does Aubrey discover in Franklin's papers?

3. How does Dutourd conduct himself on board Surprise and how does Aubrey feel about him?

4. How is Martin behaving and what does Maturin see Martin doing?

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

6. What kind of region has Surprise sail into in Chapter 2 and what has happened in that region?

7. What is Maturin's relationship to Aubrey and what is his mission?

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

9. What does Maturin think Clarissa has to do with Martin's present state of mind?

10. How do the various religious groups on Surprise get along both on the ship and ashore?

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

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 The Wine-dark Sea 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

Though The Wine-dark Sea is probably more action driven rather than character driven, obviously there are several characters who make the novel what it is. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Aubrey and Maturin. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Maturin and Sir Joseph. How are they similar? How are they different? Would you consider one of them a stronger character than the other? How does each of them add to the story?

3. Thoroughly analyze the character of Jack Aubrey, discussing both his strong and weak points and how both affect the outcome of the plot.

(see the answer keys)

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