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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. For what purpose are the bribes?

2. What do the men do for entertainment?

3. What does Maturin find when he goes to gather the nests?

4. Where is the unnamed island?

5. Between whom is a treaty arranged?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Aubrey take his passenger after Pulo Prabang?

2. Why does Maturin become irascible and the rats become vicious?

3. What interests Kesegaran in the sailors' camp and why are the sailors interested in her?

4. Who are some of the main characters who are marooned?

5. What does Aubrey offer Maturin and why do they decide to go to Sweeting's Island?

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

7. How do Maturin and Martin renew their acquaintance and what is Aubrey's response?

8. When will the schooner be completed, and what will the men do once it is built?

9. What does Cornélie do in response to the Nutmeg of Consolation fleeing the harbour?

10. What has been Aubrey's chief concern and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Many events that happen in The Nutmeg of Consolation are foreshadowed by previous events and/or signs. Discuss the following:

1. Define the literary term "foreshadow."

2. Why would an author use foreshadowing? Do you think it adds or detracts from your experience as a reader? Explain.

3. Trace and analyze five instances of foreshadowing in The Nutmeg of Consolation. Match up what is mentioned earlier and what it foreshadows. Did you guess that each instance of foreshadowing was a "heads up" of something to come? Why or why not.

Essay Topic 2

Discuss one of the following:

1. Define irony in literary terms. Discuss the irony of the situation of when Maturin spends a great deal of time contemplating his new poverty-stricken status when he is actually as wealthy as always.

2. Define symbolism in literary terms. Discuss the use and meaning of five symbols you choose to analyze from The Nutmeg of Consolation. What do they symbolize? Is the symbolism obvious? Effective? Does the symbolism contribute to the enjoyment of reading?

3. Discuss five literary devices that occur in The Nutmeg of Consolation and how they are used. Are they effective? Do they add or detract from the reading of the book? Why or why not. Some possible techniques: Allusion, connotation, denouement, dialogue, flashback, figurative language, motif, metaphor, narrator, point of view, simile, mood, and puns.

Essay Topic 3

During this era when the book 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?

4. Which vessel(s) are mentioned in The Nutmeg of Consolation that fall under this maritime law and what are the circumstances of their capture? Does it seem fair?

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