View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. In chapter one, why is Diana Villiers' recent relationship with a man such a scandal?

2. Why is the First Lord of the Lords Commissioners not happy about allowing captured Spanish vessels to be considered prizes?

3. Where does Sophie's meeting with Maturin in chapter one take place?

4. What is Canning's religious background?

5. Maturin pays to stay informed of the whereabouts of whom?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why do Diana Villiers and Richard Canning leave England for India?

2. What are the features of port blockade for Aubrey's command ship?

3. What is the condition of the prisoner Maturin when Aubrey's crew take him away from the prison?

4. What special advantage is there in Aubrey's capturing of the French gunboat?

5. During the inspection, under Aubrey's command, what type of state does he want the vessel to be under?

6. What does Sophie Williams think of Maturin's approach to wooing Diana Villiers?

7. How does Jack Aubrey come to command the H.M.S. Lively?

8. What does Maturin think of the possible consequences of the First Lord's mention of the doctor's name during a meeting?

9. What prospects of freedom do the freed prisoners have?

10. How does Maturin react to the prospect of collecting biological specimens?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does the author use symbolism in the novel? How do the symbols contribute to the book?

Essay Topic 2

The H.M.S. Surprise by Patrick O'Brian is set in history over 200 years ago. Do you think the story can be told as well if set in today's society? What major changes can be made? How might the morality of society and the characters be different?

Essay Topic 3

Debtor's prison is a concept that is unfamiliar to today's Western society. What is the logic of a debtor's prison? What do we do today to a person who defaults on loans? Why do you think the author includes this concept?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 740 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample