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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. What does Pitt learn that saddens him?

2. How does Pitt feel towards many of the people on the plane?

3. What does Tidi do when she comes up to Pitt and Rondheim?

4. How does Pitt respond to Rondhiem's question from question # 113?

5. What happens to Pitt right after the poetry reading?

Short Essay Questions

1. Where does Kirsti take Pitt at the party and what does Pitt do during the event?

2. What does Pitt do when James is talking? How does James respond?

3. What does Pitt see when he first wakes up after the poetry party?

4. What is Sandecker's response to the man in his office and what does Pitt say?

5. Why does Rondheim recite the Rime of the Ancient Mariner? What is Pitt's reaction?

6. What does James Kelly explain to the group about Hermit Limited?

7. What lands near the Andursson's home?

8. Where is Sandecker at the beginning of Chapter 20; who is with him; and what does that person say?

9. What does the person at the hanger tell Pitt?

10. What does Rondheim ask Pitt and and do he and Tidi handle the question?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As they hash out the circumstances and evidence, it is clear there is a strong bond that runs deeper than Admiral and Major between the men. They trust each other's opinions, and respect the intelligence displayed there.

1. How do you think trust between two individuals is built? Use examples from the text and your own life to support your answer.

2. Discuss what parts of Pitt's and Sandecker's conversation demonstrate their intelligence and why the reader can see that they both respect the other's intelligence.

3. What do you think the normal bond between a superior officer and a subordinate would look like? How does that compare with the bond between Pitt and Sandecker?

Essay Topic 2

Pitt's dedication to his job and his sense of survival never allows him to consider Kirsti as a potential lover. Pitt uses Oskar's confusion about Pitt's masculinity to maneuver a boat from Kirsti and Oskar so he can begin looking for the jet.

1. Discuss what could occur in a situation like Pitt's if he had not set aside his attraction to Kirsti and had pursued it.

2. The prevailing consensus in work places is to never have an affair with a co-worker or boss. How do you think this idea would support Pitt's turning away from Kirsti?

3. Why do you think Pitt pretending to be a homosexual could confuse a person to the point of conceding a favor to a stranger? Use examples to illustrate your answer.

Essay Topic 3

The danger increases as Pitt is rescued only to face more threats from an impostor policemen. Here the warm characters of the native Icelanders is shown in their passions for their townspeople and for strangers.

1. As the danger to Pitt increases the tension in the novel increases. Discuss how a subtle increase in danger and tension is used to prod readers to continue reading the book.

2. The Icelanders seem to be compassionate people. Discuss why compassion and a willingness to help others might be valuable in a climate like the one on Iceland.

3. In most major religions hospitality towards strangers is a basic tenet of the religion. Discuss why this would be true especially in view of the survival of the species.

(see the answer keys)

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