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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. How long does the Navy extend searches for its missing vessels or crew?

2. What strikes Dirk as odd about the galley and lounge area of the Starbuck on his initial recon mission with LT March?

3. What does Dirk communicate about the sub's crew in his initial message back to the Martha Ann?

4. Who is Adrian Hunter?

5. Who is the narrator of Chapter 2?

Short Essay Questions

1. Dirk describes a few incidents he has known in his work that "smacked of Jules Verne." Describe them and discuss Dirk's attitude towards "ghost catching."

2. Cussler also provides good information about shark behavior and risks. What is it?

3. Dirk sees no need to show up on time to his "date" with ADM Hunter (to report for duty). How is this reflective of both Dirk's personality and his attitude towards ADM Hunter?

4. Why is ADM Hunter taking the step of having Dirk detailed officially to the 101st Salvage Fleet?

5. Dirk does not appreciate ADM Hunter's highhanded move to take control of his [Dirk's] life by having him detailed to his [ADM Hunter's] command. How is he "persuaded" into it?

6. What is the significance of the Lillie Marlene?

7. "Perhaps Pitt could do the impossible after all." These words go through Boland's mind after he hears that Pitt is radioing the Martha Ann from the Starbuck. There are several other references throughout the book so far that indicate Dirk has a reputation for being the sort of person who makes the wildly improbable succeed effortless. Who else has said this and where is that perception originating?

8. What are the different mysteries or questions that ADM Hunter enumerates as he reads the log?

9. What is a seamount?

10. Why is it important for ADM Hunter's men to get to the accident site when the gray van runs off the road before the Honolulu police?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How would you characterize Cussler's writing style in Pacific Vortex? Analyze all of the elements of writing style including the perspective, bias, structure, diction and syntax, imagery, etc. Is this a laudable first effort on Cussler's part? Is there perhaps a stylistic reason it is not the first published book?

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the concept the title embodies. Things to consider in your response: What is the REAL "pacific vortex"? How does it compare to the Pacific Vortex that Cussler describes? How does it compare to the Bermuda Triangle? Is "vortex" a good name for or description of the activities at Delphi's seamount? In other words, have the sailors in the book come up with an appropriate name? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

ADM Hunter's view of and reactions to Dirk will drive certain parts of the plot, especially towards the end of the book. How does ADM Hunter's view of Dirk change throughout the book? Cite specific examples of change moments. Where or to what do these changes lead?

(see the answer keys)

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