View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does one of the three men meeting with Kang in his mansion die?

2. What does Summer try to use to cut through the iron ring she and Dirk are handcuffed to?

3. Who is the research vessel looking for in Chapter 3?

4. How was smallpox first introduced to the New World?

5. Who is the captain of the Sea Rover?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do Dirk and Sarah surmise about the fishing trawler at the conclusion of Chapter 3?

3. Describe Admiral Sandecker and his role in Chapter 31.

4. What are Kang and those on board the Sea Rover looking for in Chapter 22?

5. What do Dirk Pitt, Sr., and Al Giordino do in response to Raul Biazon's request in Chapter 12?

6. Describe the death of the first two meteorologists in Chapter 1.

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

8. How does Kang plan to use the Odyssey in Chapter 37?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The theme of destruction for personal gain runs throughout the novel. Looking at the book as a whole, discuss how substantive this theme is, evaluating whether or not it is compelling enough to support the weight of the whole book. Identify several incidences in the plot that support this theme and evaluate how effective those incidents are in holding the story together.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 761 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample