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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 were the two airplanes on the Japanese submarine to be used for?
2. What port does the Baekje dock at?
3. What is the intended purpose of the Odyssey?
4. Who is Tonguj?
5. Where does President Ward desire that the G8 summit meet?
Short Essay Questions
1. Describe the assassin in Chapter 4.
2. Describe how Dirk and Summer escape from the I-411 in Chapter 25.
3. What will the disease-laden weapon that Kang plans to launch accomplish?
4. What is Kang's true motivation for wanting the American military out of South Korea?
5. What do Dirk and Dahlgren discover about the I-403 in Chapter 9?
6. Describe Admiral Sandecker and his role in Chapter 31.
7. Where was it supposed that stocks of smallpox virus were stored, as cited in Chapter 15?
8. Describe Kang's role as he is revealed in Chapter 14.
9. What is so audacious about the way Kang plans to kill Dirk and Summer in Chapter 34?
10. Describe briefly the history of the use of Zyklon B.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Consider the way Cussler structures his plot. Is he a "formula" writer? If so, what "formula" does he use? Analyzing the book as a whole, compare the book to other books or movies in popular culture. Since the Dirk Pitt books are considered a series or "franchise," compare them to other series or franchises. In your discussion, rate Cussler's work in Black Wind to any one entry in another series (we are assuming that Black Wind is the only Dirk Pitt novel you have read.) Compare and contrast heroes, villains, plots, etc.
Essay Topic 2
In an action novel, it might be tempting for the reader to skip over the "boring" parts to get to the "good parts." How well do the Cusslers perform the writer's task of pacing a novel? Discuss the pace of the novel, noting if it is successful in keeping the reader engaged through the "slow" parts, and whether or not the action sequences are well-staged and understandable. Use specific sections or setpieces in the novel to support your contentions. Note, too, any tricks of the writer's trade the Cusslers employ to keep the pages turning.
Essay Topic 3
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few ... or the one," Mr. Spock said. Throughout Black Wind, the heroes are put in situations where personal sacrifice is a possible course of action. Identify several incidents in the book where one or more of the characters took Mr. Spock's admonition to heart. Describe those incidents, the crisis that precipitated the incident, and the characters' response to it. Discuss whether or not sacrifice was actually called for or whether an alternative response would have been just as effective.
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This section contains 757 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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