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. What kind of addiction does Maturin have?

2. What does Maturin ask Nathaniel to do?

3. What musical instrument does Aubrey play?

4. Where are the people on Merlin who are not the crew being taken?

5. In what direction does Aubrey go in his first cruise of Surprise?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Aubrey's situation at the beginning of THE LETTER OF MARQUE?

2. Where has Spartan stashed its prizes and why?

3. What ship first approaches Surprise on Aubrey's first shakedown cruise and why? How does Aubrey feel about the authorization Maturin has?

4. How does Padeen get injured and why does he continue to take pain medication?

5. To what is Maturin addicted and who discusses it with him?

6. What type of work does Maturin do and for what is he also known?

7. What does Aubrey decide to do about Spartan and what does he do in order to carry out his plan?

8. What does Maturin do and where does he do it right after he buys her?

9. Why is Maturin late for Surprise's sailing?

10. How does Maturin feel about money? What does he obtain to help him and Aubrey with Surprise?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The Letter of Marque is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following?

1. What is one advantage of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

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

Patrick O'Brian tries as much as possible to use historical events and facts around which to weave his work of fiction. Discuss the following:

1. Do you think THE LETTER OF MARQUE qualifies as an historical fiction? Why or why not?

2. If much of the events in THE LETTER OF MARQUE are historical, what surprises you about the way the events play out?

3. Do you think the culture of that era is more or less advanced than you imagined? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

During this era when THE LETTER OF MARQUE 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. Discuss the following:

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

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 883 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample