Black Wind Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

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Short Answer Questions

1. Who is the captain of the Sea Rover?

2. What happens to Dirk at the end of Chapter 34?

3. What is the Starfish?

4. Who is the veteran engineer who prepares the Odyssey for sea travel?

5. What is the name of the Japanese sub Dirk and Dahlgren investigate in Chapters 8 and 9?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe what happens as the Sea Rover is being flooded in Chapter 28 and how the crew is rescued.

2. Describe the death of the first two meteorologists in Chapter 1.

3. Describe what happens to Robert Bridges in Chapter 7.

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

5. What do Dirk and Summer discover has happened as they return from their exploration of the I-411 in Chapter 27?

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

7. What do Dirk Pitt, Sr., and Al Giordino do in response to Raul Biazon's request in Chapter 12?

8. Where was it supposed that stocks of smallpox virus were stored, as cited in Chapter 15?

9. What will the disease-laden weapon that Kang plans to launch accomplish?

10. Why does Tanaka lie to Commander Ogawa in the introduction when Ogawa asks if his crew is in danger in the book's introduction?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Black Wind is chock-full of familiar characters. Even if one has never read any of Cussler's Dirk Pitt novels, the reader will recognize many archetypes - the hero(s), the villain, the mentor, the deceiver, etc. Looking at the novel as a whole, select five characters. For each character, (a) compare them to other similar characters in fiction - other heroes, other villains, etc.; (b) evaluate how creative Cussler has been in breathing new life into these familiar types.

Essay Topic 2

Looking at Black Wind as a whole, describe what you think the authors were trying to accomplish. Consider whether they were trying to make a statement about the current world situation, whether the book should be viewed as as treatise of good vs. evil, or if the goal was just to tell a rip-roaring adventure yarn. Do not limit yourself to these suggestions - place yourself in the Cusslers' shoes as Clive said, "OK, son, what do you want to do with this book?" Justify your answers in detail.

Essay Topic 3

Black Wind was a father/son endeavor, written by both Clive Cussler and Dirk Cussler. Evaluate the effectiveness of this teamwork. Identify any shifts in plot or tone that might be due to a different writer. Speculate as to why Clive Cussler may have included Dirk Cussler in the project. Finally, evaluate why Clive Cussler might have inserted himself into the story, and whether that is a wise choice or not. For additional consideration, can you think of other books or movies where an author or filmmaker might have inserted themselves into a story or film as a "cameo?" Is that a novelty or vanity move, or can it enhance the story?

(see the answer keys)

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