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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. Where does Hotspur run aground?

2. Who is Calder?

3. Why does the Princess finally head for England?

4. How is the water-hoy built?

5. What has Hornblower been promised?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the Hotspur?

2. What is Captain Meadows' response to Captain Baddlestone's rudeness?

3. Describe the interaction between Bush and Hornblower when Bush comes to tell Hornblower the water hoy has arrived.

4. How do the English plan on destroying Villeneuve's fleet?

5. What turns out to be a real challenge for Hornblower in leaving the Hotspur and what does he do?

6. Describe Hornblower's leave-taking from the crew of the Hotspur.

7. Who arrives at the Princess within a few hours after Baddlestone announces the results and why are they there?

8. What bothers Hornblower about what Baddlestone tells Hornblower?

9. How does Hornblower learn that Baddlestone overcharged him tremendously for passage aboard the Princess?

10. Describe Hornblower's part in Meadows' court martial.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

HORNBLOWER DURING THE CRISIS is one book in a series of novels involving Horatio Hornblower. Discuss the following.

1. What is one advantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters?

2. What is a disadvantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

3. Do you prefer to read a standalone book, or a series of books with the same main characters? Explain your response.

4. Do you think it is easier or more difficult (or about the same) to write a standalone book versus one in a series? Explain your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Characters are an integral and important part of almost all novels. Discuss one of the following:

1. Compare/contrast the characters of Meadows and Baddleston. How are they alike? How are they different? Do you think Hornblower is more sympathetic towards one or the other? Why? Be specific and give examples.

2. Compare/contrast the characters of Lieutenant Bush to that of Hornblower. How do their personalities/abilities compare? Who seems more likely to climb the ranks within the navy. Why? With whom would you rather work? Be specific and give examples.

3. Thoroughly analyze how three of the secondary characters help drive the plot and what their contribution is to the storyline. Are any of the secondary characters unnecessary? Indispensable? Which of the secondary characters are likable? Which are either unlikable or even despicable? Be specific and give examples. (Consider Meadows, Baddlestone, Marsden, Bower, and Claudius in the novel. Consider McCool in Hornblower's Temptation. Consider Brown, Barbara and Napoleon III in The Last Encounter.)

Essay Topic 3

Treason then, as now, is considered one of the most heinous crimes a citizen can commit and is often punishable by death. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think treason is considered to be so detestable than as now? (Perhaps even more so during the time of Hornblower's life).

2. Do you think the crime of treason is always bad enough to warrant a death sentence? Sometimes? Never? Does the fact that England is no longer at war with France when Hornblower aids Napoleon III make it an act of kindness rather than treason? Do you think Hornblower would have acted the same if England were still at war with France? What do you think he would have done otherwise?

3. Do you think McCool is being treasonous by fighting for a country who is at war with England even though McCool is from Ireland? Do you think McCool's death sentence is for treason or desertion? Is it warranted no matter why? Is desertion in times of war worth the death penalty? What about in times of peace? Explain your rationale.

(see the answer keys)

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