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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 did some think had killed Charles Bruder?

2. Noted _________________ Dr. John Treadwell Nichols was called in to investigate the attack.

3. The great white, even in modern times, remains what?

4. As beach goers ran in to try to pull Charles ashore, the shark with bits of Charles' flesh in his mouth, did what?

5. The headline in the Times read, "_____________________."

Short Essay Questions

1. What might have drawn the shark to the shore? How is this a plausible explanation?

2. How did Dr. Vansant try to save his son? Why was this not adequate?

3. What information is given about a specific shark? Why is this information important?

4. Describe the attack on Bruder.

5. Describe a young great white shark regarding its size and speed in the water. What might this mean for a human swimming in the water?

6. When word spread about the attack on Charles Vansant, what did many hotel guests think?

7. What might have drawn this particular shark north?

8. What might have drawn the shark to Charles Vansant?

9. Why did Charles feel he had reached the shore safely, even though he knew he was being followed? Why might the shark have attacked him anyway?

10. What happens by the time a shark is eight years old? How is this significant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A Great White shark's appetite is difficult to sate.

Part 1) How is this statement supported by information in this book? Why is its appetite so difficult to sate? How does this guide the shark in its daily life? How might this have played a role in its attacks on humans?

Part 2) Besides its hunger, what else guided the shark towards the shore and humans? Could this have been prevented? If so, how? If not, why not? Are attacks by Great Whites a large threat? Why or why not? What can humans do to protect themselves?

Part 3) Can Great Whites and humans coexist? If so, how? If not, why not? What can be done by mankind to improve the Great White's living conditions so that it will not come close to shore and attack humans?

Essay Topic 2

Sharks have existed since the Age of Reptiles.

Part 1) Describe the Great White shark. How is it well-adapted for its environment? Why has it not evolved since the Age of Reptiles? What makes it such a successful species? How does this also make it a danger to humans?

Part 2) How is the shark repeatedly shown to be a powerful and dangerous creature? Although dangerous, is the shark an evil man-eater? Why or why not? How do other areas of the book support your response?

Part 3) What is another animal that is high on the food chain and adapts well to changes in its environment? How does this animal compare to the shark? How dangerous is this animal to mankind? Explain.

Essay Topic 3

The shark was put on display.

Part 1) Why was the shark put on display? Should it have been put on display? Why or why not? How else has the story of this man-eating shark been sensationalized and dramatized?

Part 2) Are animal attacks typical news stories? Why did this shark become so famous? Why were so many people drawn to the story of this shark? What does this reveal about human nature?

Part 3) Would a story such as this be as exciting today? Would news coverage be as spectacular? Why or why not? Might it be more spectacular? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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