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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. According to the text, why does it seem David Webb trusts no one?

2. What does Ballantyne reveal to Staples about the story McAllister has told Staples?

3. Which of the following characters is an Orient Specialist working for the U.S. State Department?

4. After the assassin makes his kill in Chapter 1, what does his guard help him to do?

5. Why does Webb feel the limousine service advertised in the shopping center will be helpful?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Webb utilize the Assistant Manager and clerk at the hotel?

2. Describe the events that take place on the beach with one of the contacts on Webb's list in Chapter 13.

3. Why is it important for Webb to contact the conspirators rather than the other way around?

4. How does Webb locate the wealthy Asian taipan?

5. What does Webb's reaction to receiving Marie's note tell the reader about the couple's relationship?

6. Why might the CIA and State Department have chosen McAllister as the link to David Webb?

7. Why might Webb want to find out about Medusa after his wife first disappears?

8. What does the organization of the assassin's plan tell the reader about the intention of this assassination?

9. What is the "big picture" purpose of the assassination in Chapter 1?

10. Describe Webb's state of mind when he returns home and finds the ransom note.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and explain the significance of the night of the great blade.

Part 1) What suspense does this scene add to the novel?

Part 2) How is this similar to, or different from, what you would have expected from Sheng?

Part 3) What significance does this scene have for Webb/Bourne?

Essay Topic 2

Human rights are violated throughout this novel. Discuss your feelings about human rights.

Part 1) Define human rights.

Part 2) Cite examples from this novel where human rights are violated.

Part 3) How do these violations maintain readers' interest and/or drive the novel's conflict? Use examples from the text to support your thoughts.

Essay Topic 3

Describe and explain the significance of one of the action scenes in the novel (e.g., Webb's chasing the impostor to the airfield, Marie's escaping from Yao Ming, etc.)

Part 1) Why did you select this scene, and how did this scene enhance the novel's sense of suspense?

Part 2) What was resolved or made more complicated by the scene?

Part 3) What significance does this scene have for Webb/Bourne?

(see the answer keys)

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