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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 is happening to the global stock of nuclear weapons when the novel begins?

2. Who orders Goto's mistress to be killed?

3. With what nations does Yamata seek secret alliances?

4. What danger does the Trade Reform Act pose for Japan?

5. Which of the following is most important in Yamata's plan to bring down America?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the international economic impact of the Trade Reform Act?

2. What is the state of Yamata's nuclear preparations when Ryan and the U.S. President go to Moscow?

3. Describe the war games held between the U.S. and Japan.

4. Explain Golovko's offer to Ryan.

5. Why is the Trade Reform Act passed? What does it do?

6. What unusual rumor about Japan does FBI Director Bill Murray confirm?

7. How does Yamata's financial tracking program affect the U.S. economic collapse?

8. How does Chavez get his news of the invasion of Saipan to the U.S. Navy?

9. Why is Ryan considered for the position of National Security Advisor?

10. Who is Admiral Mike Dubro? What is his opinion on events in the Indian Ocean?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Negotiations between Japan and the U.S. take place for almost the entire duration of the conflict between these nations. The U.S. wishes to avoid war without compromising itself, and Japan for the most part seeks to gain time to further its own military goals.

Part 1) Summarize the negotiations that occur in the novel. Who are the participating nations, and what are their goals? What resolutions result from these negotiations?

Part 2) Discuss some of the overt techniques used in these negotiations, such as compromise, discussion, and threats.

Part 3) Explain some of the covert techniques used in these negotiations, such as spying, intelligence gathering, bribery, and blackmail.

Use examples and quotes from the book to support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Ryan and Durling use a range of methods, some more morally acceptable than others, to manipulate the U.S. press. They see these actions as being necessary to see a successful resolution to the conflict with the Japanese. However, both the freedom of the press and the right of the people to know the truth are core values in America.

Part 1) Explain how and why the press is manipulated in the novel.

Part 2) Discuss some of the problems, practical and moral, associated with the manipulation of the press.

Part 3) Discuss the results of Ryan and Durling's manipulations.

Part 4) Assess whether the decision to manipulate the pass was a good one, and whether is was morally justifiable.

Provide support for your discussion with quotes and examples from the novel.

Essay Topic 3

Jack Ryan is the protagonist of the novel. He is forced to respond to a range of critical international situations, and he has the most impact on the events of the novel.

Part 1) Describe Jack Ryan as a character. Explain his background and why he is selected to be the new National Security Advisor.

Part 2) Use evidence from the book to summarize and explain some of Ryan's positive characteristics that help him perform this new role. Overall, how good is he at this job?

Part 3) Explain Ryan's principles. What does he base his morality on, and how does he make difficult decisions? Describe some ways that Ryan's beliefs and principles shape events in the novel.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 988 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample