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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. How does Commander Dupree report the final resting place of the Starbuck?
(a) Precise geo-coordinates, 500 miles from the last reported position.
(b) Precise geo-coordinates, which, if correct, would put the submarine on land.
(c) As unknown.
(d) The same as the sub's last reported position.

2. What is dangerous about Dirk's swim out to the object in the water?
(a) Coral reefs and kelp.
(b) Dirk doesn't swim very well.
(c) Riptides and sharks.
(d) 15 foot waves.

3. Who says: "I shot down Admiral Sandecker and his staff over the China Sea."?
(a) Dirk Pitt.
(b) LCDR Boland.
(c) ADM Hunter.
(d) CDR Denver.

4. What accounts for the ocean turning a greenish color as the Martha Ann approaches the shallower water of the seamount?
(a) Source unknown.
(b) A dye marker in the water.
(c) Vegetation growing on the seamount.
(d) Toxic waste spewing from the submarine's damaged reactor.

5. What is Dirk's plan of action on the Martha Ann with only two hours to go before dark falls?
(a) To build a decoy to help defend the ship from the probable nighttime attack.
(b) To conduct an underwater search of the seamount.
(c) To dive on the sub.
(d) To improvise the best defenses the crew can muster.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the two most important things about the sub's condition that Dirk reports to Boland?

2. How is the Starbuck's reactor room different from previous nuclear submarines?

3. How long can the reactor continue to run unattended?

4. Why is diving on a wrecked submarine different from a wrecked ship for Dirk?

5. What color is Summer's hair?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of there not being any paper in the crew's lounge area of the Starbuck?

2. How are the dead bodies described on the Lillie Marlene? How does this description contribute to the myth of the Pacific Vortex?

3. What is the Fullerton Fracture Zone? Does it actually exist?

4. What are some of the ways that Dirk knows that Summer is neither a government agent nor an American?

5. What is the significance of the Lillie Marlene?

6. Dirk notes some distinct oddities about the Starbuck's final resting place and the condition. Describe what these oddities mean.

7. Why is the Martha Ann disguised to look like a rust-bucket merchant ship?

8. 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?

9. "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?

10. Dirk does not appreciate ADM Hunter's highhanded move to take control of his [Dirk's] life by having him detailed to his [ADM Hunter's] command. How is he "persuaded" into it?

(see the answer keys)

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