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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. With what is the document sealed that Hornblower delivered to the Admiralty?

2. What is the name of the French brig prize?

3. What do the English do after the fighting?

4. When is McCool hanged?

5. What do the English sailors do?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the Englishmen get over to the French brig?

2. Describe the outcome of the court martial and the events up to when McCool is hanged.

3. What does Hornblower do mostly because he is so tired and what is the response of Marsden?

4. What are several factors that cause Marsden to be impressed with Hornblower?

5. Describe Hornblower's actions up until he meets with Marsden.

6. Describe the fight to gain control of the French brig.

7. Describe the situation about McCool's chest and what Hornblower ultimately decides to do.

8. What man is aboard the Epérance in whom the English seem interested?

9. What does Baddlestone suggest and what does Hornblower ultimately have the men do to the French brig?

10. Describe Meadows.

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

Along with treason, another detestable action is spying. Spies are not considered in the same vein as soldiers in uniform and are not protected by the customs and regulations that govern the treatment of soldiers who are in uniform when captured. Discuss one of the following:

1. Why do you think spies are not accorded many rights under many countries' laws and/or customs? Does this seem just considering most major powers have spies?

2. Even though all countries abhor spies, often even their own, they still spy, and men and women are still willing to be spies. Discuss why you think this is so.

3. Do you think Hornblower is being wise in accepting the mission to deliver false orders to Villenueve? 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. For example, when Meadows is describing Baddleston to Hornblower in chapter one, Meadows says he'd give up 5 years worth of prize money to have Baddleston under his command for 10 minutes. The prize money to which Meadows is referring is that discussed above. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think the British had such a "prize" 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?

4. Do you think it fair that the English felt that any vessel of any country that showed support to France was fair game, along with the French vessels? (As did France behave the same way towards Britain's allies.)

(see the answer keys)

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