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. What does NTSB conclude about the cause of explosions during the Cresta accidents?

2. How are Japanese troops transported to Saipan during the surprise attacks?

3. The war games principally involve what type of forces?

4. Why is the FBI trying to locate Kimberly Norton?

5. How does the NTSB determine the cause of the Cresta accidents?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do Ryan and Durling react to the news of Kimberly Norton's death?

2. What is the state of Yamata's nuclear preparations when Ryan and the U.S. President go to Moscow?

3. What is Yamata's plan with regard to his dealings with Russia?

4. How does Yamata react to the passing of the Trade Reform Act, and how successful is his plan?

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

6. Describe the war games held between the U.S. and Japan.

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

8. What kind of software is Yamata developing in America?

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

10. Who is Admiral Mike Dubro? What is his opinion on events in the Indian Ocean?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Intelligence operations are an important part of this novel. Many critical plot lines revolve around the covert actions of U.S., Russian, and even Japanese operatives. Their methods are varied and range from the ultra-high-tech to the incredibly mundane, but they often manage to get information and secure targets that could never be achieved otherwise.

Part 1) Describe some of the intelligence operatives seen in the novel. Explain these individuals personalities, backgrounds, and skills, and make a generalized statement about agents from each major nation discussed in the book.

Part 2) Explain some of the methods used by operatives throughout the novel. Compare high and low-tech solutions to similar problems.

Part 3) Discuss some of the results achieved by intelligence operatives. Assess how critical these results are, how they affect the narrative, and whether they could have achieved their goals by other available methods.

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

Essay Topic 3

Ryan and Yamata square off in this novel as the strategic leaders of their respective nations, although they do not immediately recognize who their opponent is. Their distinctive personalities shape the conflicts of the book and these two characters act as foils.

Part 1) Compare the personalities of Ryan and Yamata. Explain how each character's traits sheds light on the other's.

Part 2) Compare the styles of planning and execution used by Ryan and Yamata. Which style proves superior and why?

Part 3) Both Ryan and Yamata do what they think is best for their nations. Assess which character acts in the best interests of their country, and explain the shortcomings of the other character.

Support your comparison by quoting the book and citing examples from the book.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,080 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample