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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. Two men ask Kirsti what?

2. What does Pitt do at the home of the Icelander who found him?

3. What lands near the house where Pitt used the radio?

4. How does Pitt see Rondheim's actions?

5. Who is Dean Kippman?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Pitt realize as he is talking to Sandecker about rescue efforts?

4. What happened in the confrontation between Pitt and Lillie?

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

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

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

8. Why was the crash site chosen? What does Pitt find out as he talks to the others?

9. What happens right as Pitt is looking for a way to leave the trophy room?

10. What lands near the Andursson's home?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Pitt goes to the general transient aviation hanger, and locates the mechanic who scratched his initials into the hydraulic pump Pitt found. The mechanic tells Pitt about a couple men who contracted with him to do some work and would not sign off on the job. Cashman found a way to cover himself by making out a report and he was able to record the call numbers for the jet.

1. Amazing coincidence, isn't it? Narrative contrivance is the term used when barely plausible events occur in order to advance the plot. Explain why, with examples, this situation with the black jet could be a narrative contrivance.

2. The mechanic certainly sounds like he's on the ball. What do you think, in real life the chances are that most mechanics would do what Cashman did? Explain your answer.

3. Why do you think a mechanic would give Pitt the information he gave him? Explain your answer using text from the book to support it.

Essay Topic 3

Jerome P. Lillie is introduced. His role as a National Security agent who is working with Pitt now allows Pitt to access information from another, wider-reaching source. Typical of Pitt, threats and physical action must occur before the two men can respect each other, but once Lillie earns Pitt's trust, Pitt tells him everything.

1. What do you think the fact that Pitt has to have threats and physical action before he can respect a man says about his character?

2. In your opinion, discuss whether you believe the author is trying too hard to make Pitt look really masculine and tough. Include in your discussion whether you believe Pitt would be just as likable a character if he was less macho.

3. Discuss whether you think the job in which Lillie works and Pitt must have highly masculine, tough people in order to do the job.

(see the answer keys)

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