View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Commander Dupree report the final resting place of the Starbuck?

2. What color are Dirk's eyes?

3. How does Dirk decide who to give the manuscript to?

4. Who is Dirk initially talking to in the bar at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel?

5. What is the city of origin painted on the Martha Ann's hull?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the significance of the Lillie Marlene?

2. Why is LT March so resistant to the idea of entering the submarine?

3. Why is the Starbuck's last reported position Top Secret information?

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

5. Cussler also provides good information about shark behavior and risks. What is it?

6. In the hotel bar in Chapter 3, Adrian makes the statement: "Considering your amateur standing and less than mediocre talents, you're vastly overpriced. Whom is she speaking to and what does she mean?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the concept the title embodies. Things to consider in your response: What is the REAL "pacific vortex"? How does it compare to the Pacific Vortex that Cussler describes? How does it compare to the Bermuda Triangle? Is "vortex" a good name for or description of the activities at Delphi's seamount? In other words, have the sailors in the book come up with an appropriate name? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

Dirk Pitt's National Underwater and Marine Agency actually exists. Clive Cussler founded it and it is run by himself and his son. What are the differences between the real NUMA and Dirk Pitt's NUMA? How are the character of Dirk Pitt and his NUMA representative of perhaps a deep seeded fantasy for the author, things he would really like to do and have exist? Are perhaps some of the events in the story autobiographical or merely a dream?

Essay Topic 3

ADM Hunter refers to the sinking of the submarine Tang during World War II. This is a real event. What happened? What is the relevance to the fate of the crew of the Tang to the fate of the crew of the Starbuck in Hunter's mind?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,242 words (approx. 5 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample