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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 does the riverbed change?

2. What is the fleet commander's response to Hornblower's account?

3. What do the men put in their boat?

4. What is the Witch of Endor?

5. How does Hornblower gather a crew?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Hornblower reflect upon about his wife?

2. How has the relationship between the three men changed since being on board ship?

3. What worries Hornblower as the days in the count's house go by? What kind of visions does he have of her and Barbara?

4. What characteristics of the three men enhance their disguises?

5. How are the French responding to the missing men and what finally happens that gives them some hope?

6. What is Hornblower's status at the end of Chapter 17 and how does he view his possible future?

7. What would you say is the purpose of Chapters 11 and 12?

8. How might their escape from the French be viewed and what additional bonus did they bring with their escape?

9. What does Hornblower realize about his status should he be caught and how does he view himself in his present situation?

10. What is a humorous aspect of the river trip having to do with being on fresh water?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Chapter 6, while Hornblower sits in the coach fretting, he sees a rowboat bobbing on the river, and he forms an instant plan. Discuss one of the following:

1. Trace and analyze Hornblower's ability to think quickly and take action to do what needs to be done.

2. Why do you think the ability to think quickly would be a valuable asset to one in a command position? Explain fully.

3. Do both Bush and/or Brown also demonstrate the ability to think quickly? How about clearly thinking? Explain fully.

Essay Topic 2

In addition to understanding the war in which Forester'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 FLYING COLOURS.

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).

4. Compare/contrast one of the naval battles described in the novel with one from WWII.

Essay Topic 3

Hornblower throughout much of novel is emotionally involved with three different women. Discuss one following:

1. Compare/contrast Hornblower's feelings about Marie versus Maria.

2. Compare/contrast Hornblower's feelings about Marie versus Lady Leighton.

3. Compare/contrast Hornblower's feelings about Maria versus Lady Leighton.

(see the answer keys)

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