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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is Dirk's psychological assessment of sailors in relation to the intention of the staging of the Lillie Marlene?
(a) That most sailors are as mercenary as any other crew.
(b) That their innermost fears are connected to drowning or dying at sea.
(c) That they are committed to a life spent at sea no matter what.
(d) That they are mostly scientific in their outlook and it would take an extraordinary level of danger to convince them to stay away from an area of ocean.

2. How does Dirk decide who to give the manuscript to?
(a) Dirk guesses that Admiral Leigh Hunter might be interested.
(b) Admiral Leigh Hunter is the only military command officer Dirk knows in the area.
(c) The manuscript is written by Admiral Leigh Hunter.
(d) The manuscript is addressed to Admiral Leigh Hunter.

3. What does Dirk start carrying before when he realizes the danger he has put himself in before reporting to Admiral Hunter?
(a) A gun.
(b) His military identification.
(c) A diver's knife.
(d) A false set of credentials.

4. What or who is Andrei Vyborg?
(a) A Russian fishing trawler.
(b) A Russian ship captain famous for his adventures in the area of the Pacific Vortex.
(c) A Russian intelligence ship.
(d) A Russian military hero in maritime legend.

5. How does the Starbuck hit the seafloor?
(a) Bow first.
(b) Perfectly parallel.
(c) Stern first, almost perpendicular.
(d) Upside down.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the author of the manuscript, excerpts of which are transcribed in Chapter 2?

2. Roughly how large is the Martha Ann in Dirk's estimate?

3. In spite of all of the odd people Dirk has met since the beginning of the book, who is it that still haunts him as he gets underway on the Martha Ann?

4. How long does it take for Dirk to get the helicopter the Martha Ann is carrying from a cold start into the air?

5. Why does ADM Hunter think the crew could have still escaped and survived?

Short Essay Questions

1. Acting on a hunch, Dirk goes to the Polynesian history museum to visit a friend well versed in the history and culture of the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands. Why?

2. Dirk sees no need to show up on time to his "date" with ADM Hunter (to report for duty). How is this reflective of both Dirk's personality and his attitude towards ADM Hunter?

3. What are the multiple ways that the Martha Ann is disguised as a civilian ship?

4. A gray Dodge van pursues Dirk and the driver of the van begins shooting at Dirk before attempting to run him off the road. Unravel the mystery. Who has the motive, knowledge, and opportunity to tip off "Them," whoever "They" might be, to Dirk's presence and interested activity?

5. How does Dirk determine that Hunter's crew has been searching the wrong area?

6. "Perhaps Pitt could do the impossible after all." These words go through Boland's mind after he hears that Pitt is radioing the Martha Ann from the Starbuck. There are several other references throughout the book so far that indicate Dirk has a reputation for being the sort of person who makes the wildly improbable succeed effortless. Who else has said this and where is that perception originating?

7. ADM Hunter refers to CDR Dupree as having a reputation for a computer-like mind. Going back to the prologue, what are some statements that support this view of Hunter's? (Dupree refers to "Annapolis." What does he mean by that?)

8. Why is ADM Hunter taking the step of having Dirk detailed officially to the 101st Salvage Fleet?

9. In this first book of the Dirk Pitt series written by Clive Cussler, Cussler immediately begins giving hints as to Dirk's colorful personality. What are some of the incidents or statements in the first chapter that illustrate Dirk's character?

10. What is the significance of the Lillie Marlene?

(see the answer keys)

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