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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 Surprise find out is the source of what was thought to be mortar fire?

2. For whom is Aubrey making sea observations?

3. Why does Maturin fear being recognized by the owner of the Franklin?

4. What does Martin tell Maturin about birds?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Reade accidentally slow down the Surprise?

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

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

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

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

6. What is happening in Martin and Maturin's relationship and what has Martin told Maturin?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are a number of instances of foreshadowing in The Wine-dark Sea. Many of these instances, readers will recognize as probable foreshadowing; others, the readers may not be aware until the event which is foreshadowed occurs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term foreshadow. Why do you think authors foreshadow a future event? What might be a reader's reaction to a sudden tragic or wonderful event if there were no hints whatsoever that it might occur?

2. Find four events that are foreshadowed in and pair up the foreshadowing text with the event. Analyze each event to include the following: What is foreshadowed? Is the method O'Brian uses to foreshadow effective? Did you guess when a particular text was foreshadowing a future event? Did you guess what the event is?

3. Along with foreshadowing, symbolism usually plays a role in most works of fiction? How extensive is the use of symbolism in The Wine-dark Sea? Is there enough symbolism to add depth to the writing? Interest to the writing? Explain your statements with examples.

Essay Topic 2

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 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. This was the purpose for the Surprise having a letter of marque. 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?

(see the answer keys)

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