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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 is the gentleman's residence that Captain Jack Aubrey rents located?

2. What group of people are converted into crew members for the Polychrest?

3. In Chapter 1, what country does Diana Villiers leave in order to return to England?

4. What relation is Mrs. Williams to Cecelia?

5. Who does Captain Aubrey turn down an offer of a sea command from?

Short Essay Questions

1. What types of discomfort does Maturin have to endure while walking to Spain with Aubrey?

2. What does Aubrey learn about upon regaining consciousness after the battle?

3. What prevents Captain Aubrey from returning to the Admiralty in time for assignment to a prime sea command?

4. What does the admiral visiting Mapes Court tell Mrs. Williams about Captain Jack Aubrey?

5. What events act as catalysts to drive Captain Aubrey away from England and toward France?

6. What Admiralty-related issues serve to further convince the Captain to leave England?

7. What do Aubrey and Maturin engage in with their host, French Captain Christy-Palliere during their first few days in Toulon?

8. What are some of the instances in which Aubrey openly tries to avoid debt collectors in Chapter 6?

9. Why does Captain Aubrey feel compelled to warn Doctor Maturin about the highwaymen?

10. Can the route to Spain suggested to Aubrey and Maturin by Christy-Palliere be considered safe or dangerous?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Throughout the book, the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey and Doctor Stephen Maturin survives despite Aubrey having to tolerate some of Maturin's idiosyncrasies. The captain also enjoys pleasant and quality time with Maturin. Write an essay comparing the amount of pleasant and quality time that the captain spends with the doctor with the amount of time that he spends exercising tolerance toward the doctor's antics. Opine whether or not maintaining the friendship is beneficial to the captain. Support your position with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 2

Aboard the Polychrest, the ship master, Goodridge, can be labeled as gregarious and likable, while First Lieutenant Parker can be deemed tyrannical and unapproachable. Compare and contrast both officers. Explain which one can be a better leader and why.

Essay Topic 3

Upon witnessing Aubrey saving a crewman from drowning, Doctor Maturin--a lifelong non-swimmer--is inspired and to learn how to swim. Based on your familiarity with the doctor's character, write an essay focusing on whether his inspiration and determination to learn how to swim is a genuine endeavor to be able to save himself and others from drowning, or whether he is more likely to be seeking the applause that he would be bound to receive in the event that he were to dive in and save lives? Support your position with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

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