View a FREE sample

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. The beach-goers of that year made up the largest gathering in the ____________ to date.

3. What was significant about the popular black and dark blue bathing suits?

4. The only known evidence of a shark attack had been what?

5. After the shark attacked, what had happened to Bruder?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

8. What might have drawn this particular shark north?

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

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

Most of the attacks described in this book ended in death.

Part 1) Describe these attacks. When did they occur? Where did they occur? Why did they occur? What happened to those who were attacked? Why did the shark attack them in this way?

Part 2) Are shark attacks as deadly today as they were in 1916? Why or why not? Is there anything one can do if he or she is attacked by a shark? If so, what? If not, why not?

Part 3) Is swimming worth the risk of a shark attack? Why or why not? How have the descriptions of these attacks affected your opinion of sharks and swimming in the ocean?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,189 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample