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. Why does the French brig not immediately try to escape the Sutherland?

2. How does Hornblower pay for his personal provisions to be used while on the Sutherland?

3. When do the two French luggers appear?

4. How does the Sutherland react to the two French luggers?

5. How does Hornblower feel about the green crew's first attempt to handle the Sutherland?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Hornblower ready the Sutherland for sea?

2. What is Hornblower's first impression of the Boltons?

3. What is Hornblower offered as a reward for his work helping the Indianmen ships arrive safely?

4. What is Hornblower's relationship with Barbara Leighton at the beginning of this novel?

5. How does Hornblower feel about having women on his ship?

6. What things does Hornblower do to increase the size of the Sutherland's crew?

7. What is Hornblower's opinion of Bolton?

8. In Chapter 5, what does the green crew do to upset Hornblower?

9. What does Hornblower complain about in Chapter 6?

10. What is worrisome about the Indiamen ships' signals?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Ship of the Line" is considered to be historical fiction. What is historical fiction, and how does this novel meet the requirements of the genre?

Essay Topic 2

Hornblower often had bouts of moodiness. Examine the causes of these moods and the effects on the rest of the novel, including the plot and character development.

Essay Topic 3

How are the French described and reflected on in this novel? Why is this the case? What role might this novel had played in history?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 627 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample