1. The first paragraph of a news article should answer the questions who, what, where and when. List the who, what, where and when of this news item. (NOTE: The remainder of a news article provides details on the why and/or how.)

2. Why did the commander of the USS Curtis Wilbur take this action? (What was the motive of the U.S.?) Be specific.

3. The U.S. destroyer traveled within 12 nautical miles of Triton without providing prior notification to any of the three claimants, a U.S. defense official said. What is the significance of this action?

4. How did the Chinese react to this U.S. patrol?

5. How did the U.S. respond to the Chinese claim that it warned the U.S. ship to leave the area immediately?

6. What concern does the U.S. (and claimants Taiwan and Vietnam) have over China’s build up on the rocks and reefs that it controls in the Spratlys?

7. What was the purpose of a similar patrol by a U.S. Navy destroyer in October?

8. What action by the Chinese in September illustrates the government’s hypocrisy?