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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 is Summer?

2. What does Roblemann invent?

3. How does Dirk finally break Delphi's facade of cool indifference?

4. What happens to the radio communications between Big Daddy and the Kid?

5. Why does the giant with the golden eyes select Dirk to be the messenger of the capsule?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Pitt know that the Martha Ann is out of radio contact with the world?

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

3. What is Delphi's plan for the Starbuck?

4. What does LT Robert Buckmaster discover at the old Army installation, which supposedly belongs to Delphi that partially explains the entirely unexpected fierce resistance to Marine's invasion? How might this situation have come to be?

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

6. What does Dirk fear lays in store for the Martha Ann? What information is he now armed with that may help? What does he still not know that could be fatal?

7. 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?

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

9. What does Delphi say is his main objective? What does Dirk say is Delphi's main objective?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Everything in the submarine seems to indicate that someone is actively maintaining the vessel or at least "picked up afterwards." It seems an obvious inference that there might be someone still on the ship. Yet Dirk and LT March press ahead assuming it is a ghost ship. What might be some reasons for that? Psychological? Other evidence to the contrary? Stubbornness or at least reckless disregard for prudence?

Essay Topic 2

"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 3

As the Martha Ann gets underway, headed towards the Pacific Vortex, Dirk reflects on the unusual group of people he has been mixed up within the last two days. What do his reflections on these people reveal about his thoughts on this mission? Do his summaries of the people seem to be roughly accurate?

(see the answer keys)

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