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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 does the Koguryo do to the Coast Guard ship?

2. What do Dirk and Dahlgren arm themselves with once they board the Odyssey?

3. Why is there no manual override on the Odyssey so that the rocket launch might be stopped?

4. Where do Tongju, Kim, and two other commandos plan to run after leaving the Koguryo?

5. What is the name of the multipurpose cargo freighter the Deep Endeavor searches?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what happens to the Zenit rocket after its launch.

2. Describe Dirk Jr.'s feelings as he watches the launch from the Odyssey in Chapter 59.

3. Describe how Kang attempts to salvage his plan after the failed rocket launch.

4. What is the role of the USS Benfold in Chapter 63?

5. What do Tongju and some of his closest soldiers plan to do after the failure of the rocket launch from the Odyssey?

6. How do Dirk Sr. and Al rescue Dirk Jr. and Jack from the Odyssey?

7. Describe Ling's function on board the Koguryo.

8. What happens to the Badger upon the launch of the rocket from the Odyssey?

9. What do Dirk Pitt, Sr., and Al do after they land at LAX in Chapter 48?

10. What information do Dirk and Summer share with the authorities in Chapter 41?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Death comes frequently and casually to many of the characters in Black Wind. One might argue that Cussler takes death lightly. There are incidents of death occurring one on one (one person at the hands of another). Other deaths take place randomly. Still other deaths involve the killing of masses of people, often at the wishes of one person. Evaluate the reality of death in this book. Compare and contrast the different forms of death. Which seem more destructive? Which seem more "evil?" Which have the most impact on the reader? Explain your answers in some depth.

Essay Topic 2

Black Wind is full of novel gadgets, watercraft, aircraft, and other technological gizmos. Discuss how effective Cussler is in integrating technology into his novel, how much technology contributes to the overall plot, whether or not he gets bogged down in minutiae, and whether or not the reader feels that he/she needs a degree from M.I.T. to follow what is happening.

Essay Topic 3

In an action novel, it might be tempting for the reader to skip over the "boring" parts to get to the "good parts." How well do the Cusslers perform the writer's task of pacing a novel? Discuss the pace of the novel, noting if it is successful in keeping the reader engaged through the "slow" parts, and whether or not the action sequences are well-staged and understandable. Use specific sections or setpieces in the novel to support your contentions. Note, too, any tricks of the writer's trade the Cusslers employ to keep the pages turning.

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