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

2. People on the beach noticed what about Charles?

3. The next day, articles appeared in both the New York Times and the Philadelphia Inquirer about the shark attack. Where were these articles located?

4. On board were the architect Stanford White, New York Sun publisher Charles Dana, and close friend ___________________.

5. As Gertrude stroked along parallel to the coastline, what happened to her?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. 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?

5. Describe the attack on Bruder.

6. How did shark attacks become more possible in the summer of 1916?

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

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

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

10. Why did Charles Bruder decide to go for a swim?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A myth regarding a shark's power to kill is frequently supported throughout this book.

Part 1) What is this myth? How might it have begun? How was it supported by experts, as described in this book? How else was this myth perpetuated?

Part 2) How did the general public, as well as the victims of these attacks, suffer from this myth? Even after several of these attacks, why did many continue to believe this myth?

Part 3) How might the events in this story have been different if few people still believed in this myth? Do many believe this myth today? Why or why not? How might this affect the frequency of shark attacks and the education of those who swim in shark-infested waters?

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 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?

(see the answer keys)

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