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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 the engineer that informs Ling about the launchpad horizontal deviation on board the Odyssey as the rocket launches?
2. What happens to the rocket after its launch?
3. What just about causes Pitt to pass out on board the Badger after the launch?
4. What is the LASH system?
5. What happens to Kang's yacht?
Short Essay Questions
1. What happens to Kwan and Kang's empire?
2. What do Tongju and some of his closest soldiers plan to do after the failure of the rocket launch from the Odyssey?
3. What is the role of the USS Benfold in Chapter 63?
4. What happens to the Narwhal?
5. What happens to change Kang's plans after he and his men have taken over the Odyssey?
6. How does Pitt Sr. escape the sinking Odyssey platform?
7. What initially happens after Dirk and Dahlgren board the Odyssey?
8. What do Dirk and Summer plan to do after joining the Deep Endeavor in Chapter 46?
9. What happens to the Badger upon the launch of the rocket from the Odyssey?
10. Describe Dirk Jr.'s feelings as he watches the launch from the Odyssey in Chapter 59.
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
Black Wind was a father/son endeavor, written by both Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler. Evaluate the effectiveness of this teamwork. Identify any shifts in plot or tone that might be due to a different writer. Speculate as to why Clive Cussler may have included Dirk Cussler in the project. Finally, evaluate why Clive Cussler might have inserted himself into the story, and whether that is a wise choice or not. For additional consideration, can you think of other books or movies where an author or filmmaker might have inserted themselves into a story or film as a "cameo?" Is that a novelty or vanity move, or can it enhance the story?
Essay Topic 2
Dialogue can often propel a story forward. Cussler's heroes tend to make broad, inspirational statements and have plenty of quips at the ready. His villains tend to do everything but twirl their mustaches - note the times when the villains speak, they "hiss" or their words are "spat out." Looking through the novel, pick out ten quotes from the protagonists (the two Dirks, Summer, Al, Jack, etc.) and ten quotes from the antagonists (Kang, Tongju, etc.) Try to come up with a mix of quotes that sound pitch-perfect and persuasive, and quotes that are "groaners," better suited as balloons in a cartoon panel. For each quote, evaluate why it does or doesn't work, and discuss whether or not Cussler's use of dialogue is appropriate for the book's context or not.
Essay Topic 3
A good villain can make or break a story. Evaluate Kang - his nature, his mind, his strategy, his tactics, and his temperament as he relates to the story. Discuss in detail his "psychological profile," citing specific incidents or quotes that support your findings. Discuss his relationships with both his henchmen and the story's protagonists. Determine and discuss his effectiveness as a villain as he serves the story.
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This section contains 886 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) |
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