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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 are the winds behaving by the end of Chapter 1?

2. Why does Maturin avoid Dutourd?

3. From what town do many of the Surprise's old hands come?

4. What do the religious groups from the town in question #50 hate mutually?

5. How has Franklin's crew weathered the volcanic eruption?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do Maturin and Aubrey do as they sail to Peru?

3. How does Reade accidentally slow down the Surprise?

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

5. Who is Clarissa Harvill, why was she on the Surprise, and what did Aubrey make her do?

6. What does Vidal talk to Maturin about?

7. How does Dutourd behave aboard the Surprise?

8. What do Maturin and Martin do on the Franklin?

9. What is happening to the ocean and the winds by the end of Chapter 1 and what does Aubrey think of it?

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

The Wine-dark Sea, like many, and perhaps a majority, of novels ends on a happy note in that the Surprise was saved by an English battleship.

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want what they perceive as a happy ending to a novel? Explain your opinion. Do you? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss each one in light of The Wine-dark Sea and whether or not it fulfills all three, two or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why The Wine-dark Sea is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. State what you think are three characteristics of a successful novel and whether or not The Wine-dark Sea in your opinion is a successful novel.

Essay Topic 2

The Wine-dark Sea takes place during the War of 1812 where Britain is fighting America; therefore understanding the political and social situation during that time helps to a greater understanding and appreciation of The Wine-dark Sea and others in the series. Discuss one of the following:

1. Research and write an expository essay about how the War of 1812 begin and end.

2. Research and write an expository essay about the naval aspect of the War of 1812 between Britain and America.

3. Compare/Contrast the importance of the British navy during the War of 1812 to the importance of the British navy during either WWI or WWII.

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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