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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. Who does Dirk report the attack on Adrian to?

2. When Dirk meets Delphi in his underwater caves, how much time is left before the seamount explodes?

3. What is holding the Starbuck down?

4. What is the size of the school of fish the Martha Ann's sensors detect as they prepare to escape the Pacific Vortex area?

5. Who arrives on the comm deck as Dirk is communicating to the Martha Ann and LCDR Boland?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is unexpected and distinctly suspicious about the fog that suddenly overwhelms the Martha Ann? What kinds of conditions are required to create fog?

2. What changes ADM Hunter's mind about obeying the destroy orders from the joint Chiefs in Washington D.C.?

3. How do Dirk and LCDR Boland differ over how to wage battle against the men from the sea as they face impending attack on the Martha Ann?

4. What happens during Dirk's final radio transmission from the C-5airplane before they touch down on the surface of the ocean? what does it mean for their rescue mission?

5. There are three operations, with different codenames going on simultaneously in Chapter 16. What are their different codenames and objectives?

6. In both Chapters 9 and 10, Dirk endeavors to get his way by assuring the Naval men that he "will take full responsibility." Why does this seem to be the easiest way for Dirk to gain their compliance?

7. Who or what is Selma Snoop?

8. How does LCDR Crowhaven's attitude change from his frame of mind on the plane, once he is within sight of the submarine and Dirk lets him know that this is where he [Dirk] gets off?

9. How does Dirk reinforce his disregard for authority upon return from the Pacific Vortex with the crew of the Martha Ann?

10. How is the scent of the eucalyptus oil explained? How does it support the theory of the seamount?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Quote from CDR Burdette Denver: "Piracy on the high seas went out with the manufacture of cutlasses." Is this actually a true statement? Is piracy a possible or probable explanation for the Pacific Vortex? Provide evidence both from the book and from independent research to support your claims.

Essay Topic 2

ADM Sandecker tells Dirk, "an enemy agent wouldn't have to use muscle [on you]. They'd simply send their most seductive Mata Hari to the nearest bar and let you pick her up." What does this statement mean and what is the inference being made about Dirk's character? Analyze this statement in the context of all you know about the character of Dirk Pitt. Does it seem to be a fair or consistent statement? Provide evidence from the book to support your conclusions.

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)

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