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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 surprises Dutourd about Aubrey's review of his documents?

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

3. What does Aubrey consider the owner of the Franklin to be on Surprise?

4. What does Aubrey think weather and sea conditions might mean?

5. What does Maturin do when his and Martin's relationship is almost hostile?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. How does Dutourd behave aboard the Surprise?

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

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

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

7. What type of mix is Surprise's crew and for what are some of the older members known?

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

9. How have the crew fared during the event at the beginning of Chapter 2?

10. What does Vidal talk to Maturin about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A work of fiction is often organized around a structure called a plot. Discuss the following:

1. Define plot and its major parts (rising action, climax, falling action, resolution [or denouement]. Write a sentence or two synopsis of the major plot of the The Wine-dark Sea.

2. Identify where the parts of the plot seem to fall in The Wine-dark Sea. Explain using examples.

3. Define the literary term "subplot." Write a sentence or two synopsis of a subplot in The Wine-dark Sea.

4. Identify the major parts of the subplot you identified in task number 3.

5. Why do you think identifying the plot and elements of the plot is useful?

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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