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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. This editorial cited the fact that twenty-five years had passed since Oelrichs' swim with the sharks and _____ evidence had come forth of a shark attacking a man.

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

3. News spread of the horrific incident. Some fishermen swore what?

4. What did Dowling swear?

5. The damage to Bruder was so severe, a _________________ injury, that even with modern medical procedures, he could not have been saved.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. When did information regarding Charles' death finally appear in the news? Describe this information. Why might it the information have appeared this way?

3. Describe the teeth of a shark. Why might they be like this?

4. Describe the attack on Bruder.

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

6. What did most people think about the idea of a shark attacking a human? Why did they believe this?

7. 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?

8. How had beach life changed over the years? How might this also have played a role in the chance for shark attacks?

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

10. What might have drawn this particular shark north?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several hunts took place to find the man-eating shark.

Part 1) Describe one of these hunts. Who organized this hunt? How was this hunt operated? What information about sharks and other creatures did the men have when organizing this hunt?

Part 2) How successful was this hunt? Explain. How could this hunt have been more efficient and organized?

Part 3) Compare the hunts to each other. Which hunt was more successful? Why was it more successful?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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