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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 Japanese police, what is Kimberly Norton's cause of death?

2. What does the commander of U.S. Navy forces in the Indian Ocean believe about the Indian Navy?

3. Who leads the push for the Trade Reform Act?

4. What crime is Vice President Ed Kealty accused of committing?

5. When Ryan and the U.S. President are going to Moscow, where is Yamata preparing to send his nuclear weapons?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why is the Trade Reform Act passed? What does it do?

2. What are Raizo Yamata's goals?

3. What causes the economic collapse in the U.S.?

4. What unusual rumor about Japan does FBI Director Bill Murray confirm?

5. How does Chavez get his news of the invasion of Saipan to the U.S. Navy?

6. Why does Yamata think the information he gains about the Durling administration is incriminating?

7. How does the Trade Reform Act negatively impact Japan's economy?

8. What is the general state of the world in terms of security when Ryan is made National Security Advisor?

9. Explain Golovko's offer to Ryan.

10. What is Jack Ryan's background, and what is his life like when the novel begins?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

At least once in the course of the novel, each side in the U.S. - Japanese conflict attempts to use blackmail to its advantage. These efforts have interesting and varied effects, and it is clear that some people and groups are better at manipulating others in this way.

Part 1) Describe the major cases in the novel when blackmail is used, or its use is planned. What information is used, and how is the target assessed and informed of the situation?

Part 2) Summarize the effectiveness of these blackmail attempts. Speculate about why are some attempts more successful than others.

Part 3) Make and support and assessment whether or not the use of blackmail is acceptable as a part of warfare. Discuss specific uses of blackmail from the book.

Use examples and quotes from the book to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Just before the Japanese strike on the U.S. fleet and Pacific islands, the U.S. and Russia jointly celebrate the destruction of their last nuclear weapons. Nuclear disarmament is complete between these two superpowers who vied for decades and came close to initiating suicidal nuclear war. This is a goal that many politicians, statesmen, and diplomats dreamed of throughout the cold war. In the novel, it's implications are crucial.

Part 1) Explain how the joint disarmament occurs and why the U.S. and Russia agree to work together on this issue.

Part 2) Describe the reaction in these two countries and throughout the world when the last missiles are destroyed. Is this reaction reasonable and believable?

Part 3) Explain the strategic consequences of the disarmament.

Part 4) Speculate whether the disarmament seen in the novel could really occur between the U.S. and Russia. Explain how these events, or events nearly like them, could occur.

Essay Topic 3

Yamata's initial plan revolves around surprise and deception. He launches a series of surprise attacks against America intended to make it impossible for them to strike back. Ryan's plan involves elements of surprise. Although this method of warfare is as old as war itself, there remain significant moral issues with regards to its use, and the leaders in the novel demonstrate how it can be used effectively and responsibly, or with disregard and in morally deplorable way.

Part 1) Discuss the sneak attacks that Yamata employs to attack America. What are the targets of these attacks? Are civilians targeted in addition to the military?

Part 2) Explain the sneak attack methods used by the U.S. Why are these attacks carried out? What are their targets?

Part 3) Discuss the moral nature of the sneak attacks used by both sides. Are any or all of these actions morally acceptable in warfare?

Provide support for your conclusions with quotes from the novel.

(see the answer keys)

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