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. While ashore, what type of pay do naval officers like Aubrey receive?

2. What language does Maturin use to enter his personal observations in his diary?

3. Who does Aubrey yell profane orders to believing to be the ship's boy?

4. Aside from being a surgeon, what type of work does Stephen Maturin also handle?

5. Where is Mapes Court located in relation to the gentleman's residence that Captain Aubrey has rented?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the eligible bachelors from Polcary Downs socialize with the eligible women next door at Mapes Court?

2. What has French military leader and politician Napoleon Bonaparte ordered in relation to England and her countrymen?

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

4. What are some of the actions and activities that Aubrey engages in upon his return to England with Maturin demonstrate his wealth?

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

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

7. Why is the Polychrest is appropriately nicknamed "the Carpenter's Mistake"?

8. How does Captain Aubrey turn the sources of negativity at Pullings's celebratory dinner into positive ones?

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

10. What taints the celebratory supper hosted by Tom Pullings family?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Within a day's time, Captain Jack Aubrey transforms from the life of a wealthy gentleman of means to living the life of a penniless bum. Do you agree or disagree that a transformation of that type could take place within such an abbreviated period of time? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Doctor Maturin perpetually seeks approval and affection from Diana Villiers while the crew aboard the Polychrest seeks approval and respect from First Lieutenant Parker. Diana repeatedly rejects the Doctor, and treats him cruelly. Parker repeatedly rejects the Polychrest crew and treats them with cruelty. Write an essay focusing on whether or not either Maturin or the Polychrest crew will ever be able to gain the approval that they seek. Support your position with examples from the text.

Essay Topic 3

Mrs. Williams is constantly measuring the financial worthiness of prospective suitors for the hand of her daughter, Sophia. In contrast, Sophia is constantly measuring the level of genuine devotion and affection that Captain Aubrey harbors toward her. Whose relationship philosophy is best illustrated in the union that takes place between Aubrey and Sophia? Is it that of Mrs. Williams, or of Sophia? Support your position with examples from the text.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 786 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample