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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 military decoration does Dirk specifically mention having NOT earned?

2. How does George Papaaloa describe the last researcher of the sunken island legend?

3. What is Dirk's plan of action on the Martha Ann with only two hours to go before dark falls?

4. How does Dirk describe the smell of a working port as he arrives for his departure on the Martha Ann?

5. How long has it been since someone researched the sunken island at George Papaaloa's museum?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a seamount?

2. What are the different mysteries or questions that ADM Hunter enumerates as he reads the log?

3. What are some ways the Pacific Vortex is different from the Bermuda Triangle and other legendary danger areas?

4. 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?)

5. Dirk describes a few incidents he has known in his work that "smacked of Jules Verne." Describe them and discuss Dirk's attitude towards "ghost catching."

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

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

8. 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?

9. Capt. Cinana quotes a Naval saying: "Those that lie deep in the Atlantic Sea Are recalled by shrines, wreathes and poetry, But those who lie in Pacific Sea Lie forgotten for all eternity." What does this mean?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Willing suspension of disbelief" is a necessary frame of mind for any reader or viewer of fiction material. However, in spite of accepting certain fantastic occurrences, readers will often begin to resist small strains on their credulity. Why does this kind of resistance begin to build in the mind of the reader? Analyze the concept of "willing suspension of disbelief" and why it is necessary to enjoy the book. Analyze your own responses to "unbelievable" parts of the book.

Essay Topic 2

LCDR Paul Boland and Dirk Pitt have other differences besides personality, one of them being background. Dirk accuses Boland of being unperceptive as to the oddities of the condition of the Starbuck. How do their very different backgrounds affect their perception of "important details" and why is Boland more likely to overlook the key factors in the discovery of the Starbuck?

Essay Topic 3

How would you characterize Cussler's writing style in Pacific Vortex? Analyze all of the elements of writing style including the perspective, bias, structure, diction and syntax, imagery, etc. Is this a laudable first effort on Cussler's part? Is there perhaps a stylistic reason it is not the first published book?

(see the answer keys)

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