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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. What happens when the crew fires on the first practice session?

2. Who gets mad about the treatment of the birds that land on the ship?

3. What is the nick-name of the Worcester?

4. Why does Aubrey delay setting sail on the Worcester?

5. What do the crew dislike most about the Worcester?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Aubrey feel when Maturin is called to Spain, and why?

2. How is Maturin wounded?

3. Why is Maturin rarely at home?

4. Why is a blockade duty so wearing on a ship and its crew?

5. What do Aubrey and Maturin discuss about music?

6. What is strange about the practice runs done at sea with the cannons?

7. Why is Aubrey so worried about Thornton's health?

8. What happens when Maturin boards the Worcester?

9. Why does Aubrey choose to captain the Worcester even though he doesn't want to?

10. Please explain the relationship between Maturin and his wife.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Patrick O'Brian presents the idea that there are two sides to every man. Choose three of the characters from the book and write about their dual natures and how this duality affected the characters around them.

Essay Topic 2

How were the three Ionian leaders different from each other, and how did these differences affect Aubrey's decision in that area?

Essay Topic 3

Symbolism is a very prevalent literary device used by Patrick O'Brian. What are some of these symbols, and how does their presence affect the course of the plot?

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