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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 is critical after the attack?

2. To where does the junk take the British sailors?

3. How had Fox behaved?

4. How does Maturin spend the next few days after collapsing?

5. About what does Maturin discuss with Aubrey?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Maturin spend much of his time, and what do the men do besides working on the boat?

2. How does Paulton help Maturin with Colman and what is Maturin's ultimate objective concerning Colman?

3. What fortuitous encounter saves the day for the Nutmeg of Consolation and what happens with the Cornélie?

4. Describe Padeen Colman.

5. Describe the first attempt of the Nutmeg of Consolation to engage Cornélie.

6. About what does Aubrey brood and what are his thoughts about the topic?

7. How do the English lose hope even though they repulsed the Dyak attack?

8. What do Maturin and Martin do and what do they find?

9. Where does Li Po take the men and what important information Maturin gain along the on the trip?

10. What happens to Maturin's fortune?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

During this era in which The Nutmeg of Consolation is set, there are strongly-adhered-to class distinctions. Aubrey and Maturin are both gentlemen. Discuss one of the following:

1. How do the divisions of class tend to make divisions among men? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a class-based society? What evidence is there of those advantages and disadvantages in The Nutmeg of Consolation?

2. In the English military of that era, nobles and gentlemen generally were the officers and very few of the working or peasant class could cross the line into officer territory. What would be the advantages and disadvantages of such a system?

3. Do you think there is a class system in the United States? Does it carry over to the military? Why or why not? (Some research may be required.)

Essay Topic 2

Oftentimes, a book is more of a character-driven plot rather than action driven, and oftentimes the other way. Some books seem to balance the two. Discuss the following:

1. What do you think it means to say that a plot is character driven? Action driven?

2. How do you think a plot differs if it is character driven versus action driven?

3. Which type of plot do you find more interesting? Why?

4. Do you think it is possible to have a plot where action and character development share equal time? Why or why not.

5. What type of plot do you think The Nutmeg of Consolation is? Explain your response.

Essay Topic 3

The Nutmeg of Consolation is one book in a series of novels involving Captain Aubrey and Dr. Maturin. Discuss the following.

1. What are two advantages of writing a series of novels about the same characters? Use examples.

2. What are two disadvantages 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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,204 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample