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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. Where does the research vessel go after returning to port at the opening of Chapter 5?

2. What is discovered about the ailing scientists who are rescued by Dirk?

3. What river does Kang's lair overlook?

4. Who is the commander of I-403?

5. What port does the Baekje dock at?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are Kang and those on board the Sea Rover looking for in Chapter 22?

2. How do Dirk and Sarah escape the thugs in the Cadillac in Chapter 18?

3. What do Dirk and Dahlgren discover about the I-403 in Chapter 9?

4. What is revealed to have happened in the town of Warrenton in 1942?

5. Describe Admiral Sandecker and his role in Chapter 31.

6. How does Kang plan to use the Odyssey in Chapter 37?

7. Describe Kang's role as he is revealed in Chapter 14.

8. What is the outcome of the meeting between Dirk and bureaucrats from the Department of Homeland Security?

9. What is significant about the Chinese junk that rescues Dirk and Summer in Chapter 36?

10. What is the mission of the Japanese Red Army?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Foreshadowing is a literary technique by which an author alerts a reader to some degree for what will happen later in his work. Cussler uses this technique effectively. Discuss how he employs foreshadowing in this novel. In your discussion, evaluate whether his use of foreshadowing is part of the general atmosphere of the work, if he employs a specific scene or object which gives a clue as to what might happen later in the plot, or a combination of both. Cite examples.

Essay Topic 2

A good villain can make or break a story. Evaluate Kang - his nature, his mind, his strategy, his tactics, and his temperament as he relates to the story. Discuss in detail his "psychological profile," citing specific incidents or quotes that support your findings. Discuss his relationships with both his henchmen and the story's protagonists. Determine and discuss his effectiveness as a villain as he serves the story.

Essay Topic 3

Evaluate Cussler as a storyteller. How effective is he at winding out a yarn? Can you evaluate his storytelling ability apart from his writing style, the believability of his characters, and the plausibility of the plot? If he were to ask your counsel, i.e. "How can I improve my storytelling?", what would you tell him? Consider his writing style. How would you define it? What about the elements of pacing? His ability to keep the reader engaged? To move readers to complete "just one more chapter?" Identify specific elements from the book that support your answers.

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