Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916 Test | Mid-Book Test - Hard

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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. A sense of ___________________ is felt by the end of the first chapter.

2. Later scientists attributed Oelrichs' success to what probability?

3. Someone on shore thought they saw what, which was actually blood?

4. For what was the shark waiting?

5. What happened to the two long distance swimmers on July 6, 1916?

Short Essay Questions

1. What information is given about great whites in this section? How is this important?

2. Describe the 1891 experiment. Is this a valid experiment? Why or why not?

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

4. What were the beliefs of many who heard the news of Bruder's death?

5. Why is it more dangerous to swim with dogs?

6. How is the behavior of a young shark different from an older shark? What might this say about the shark that attacked in 1916?

7. What was the official report after Charles Bruder's death? What was done as this report was being filed?

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

9. Why does the great white still remain much of a mystery today?

10. How does the story begin? How is this chapter important?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

The shark swam into a fresh water creek.

Part 1) Why did the shark do this? What did this reveal about the shark at this time? How might the shark's state of mind have played a role in the many attacks along the Matawan Creek?

Part 2) What could have been done to keep the shark out of the creek? Might tactics such as this be used today? Why or why not? Do you see creeks as being dangerous now because of this event? Why or why not?

Part 3) In what ways has man tried to control nature to make life better for all mankind? What are the results of these attempts? Why? Should man attempt to control nature? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

By the time the shark was caught, many feared swimming in the waters of the Atlantic.

Part 1) Describe the reaction to the news of the shark attacks at the beginning of this book. Why did people react this way? How did this reaction change over the course of the book? Why did it change?

Part 2) How was this fear of swimming in the Atlantic perpetuated for years after the shark was caught? Why were people so fearful after years with no attacks? Should they have been fearful? Why or why not?

Part 3) Should sharks be feared today? Why or why not? What can be done to protect both humans and sharks from each other? Is this being done? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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