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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 tell Sandecker when he arrives?

2. What type of aircraft does Pitt see at the airport?

3. Why do people give Rondheim bits of poems?

4. What does Pitt learn that saddens him?

5. Who is in Sandecker's office when Pitt arrives?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Pitt act when he first arrives at the party and how is he dressed?

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

3. What plane does Pitt see in the hanger and what is interesting about it?

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

5. Who is the man in Sandecker's office and what does he tell Pitt?

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

7. Who is Pitt pleased to see on the rescue vehicle and what happens after Pitt boards?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This novel is an adventure/suspense novel. Discuss one of the following:

1. Why are these types of novels popular?

2. What can a reader learn from this type of novel especially about how to deal with difficult situations?

3. Discuss how this adventure/suspense novel, written in the 1970's differs from those written in the 21st. century.

Essay Topic 2

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.

Essay Topic 3

Tidi reacts hysterically to the fact the men in the hydrofoil are killed, but this gives Sandecker and Pitt a chance to explain their motives and their philosophy that it is better for them to survive than be killed by Oskar's henchmen.

1. Explain why one might judge the above statement to be sexist. Use examples from the book and real life to support your answer.

2. Realistically, shouldn't everyone, man or woman, get upset when people are killed? Do you agree with this statement? Explain why or why not.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,070 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample