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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. Who is Chris Gavin?

2. Where does President Ward desire that the G8 summit meet?

3. Who does Kang meet with in his mansion in Chapter 14?

4. Who is Garner Ward?

5. Who is Tonguj?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the combination of toxins used in the chemical/biological weapon described in Chapter 32?

2. Describe how Dirk and Summer escape from the I-411 in Chapter 25.

3. What is Kang's true motivation for wanting the American military out of South Korea?

4. What will the disease-laden weapon that Kang plans to launch accomplish?

5. Describe the assassin in Chapter 4.

6. Why do Sarah and the other scientists survive the same toxin that killed the two meteorologists in Chapter 1?

7. How do Dirk and Sarah escape the thugs in the Cadillac in Chapter 18?

8. Describe what happens as the Sea Rover is being flooded in Chapter 28 and how the crew is rescued.

9. What happens to Keith Catana in Chapter 11?

10. What is so audacious about the way Kang plans to kill Dirk and Summer in Chapter 34?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is a literary technique by which an author alerts a reader to some degree for what will happen later in his work. Cussler uses this technique effectively. Discuss how he employs foreshadowing in this novel. In your discussion, evaluate whether his use of foreshadowing is part of the general atmosphere of the work, if he employs a specific scene or object which gives a clue as to what might happen later in the plot, or a combination of both. Cite examples.

Essay Topic 2

Looking at Black Wind as a whole, describe what you think the authors were trying to accomplish. Consider whether they were trying to make a statement about the current world situation, whether the book should be viewed as as treatise of good vs. evil, or if the goal was just to tell a rip-roaring adventure yarn. Do not limit yourself to these suggestions - place yourself in the Cusslers' shoes as Clive said, "OK, son, what do you want to do with this book?" Justify your answers in detail.

Essay Topic 3

Black Wind is full of novel gadgets, watercraft, aircraft, and other technological gizmos. Discuss how effective Cussler is in integrating technology into his novel, how much technology contributes to the overall plot, whether or not he gets bogged down in minutiae, and whether or not the reader feels that he/she needs a degree from M.I.T. to follow what is happening.

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