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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. The Vansants stayed at the stylish _____________ Hotel, where the upper crust enjoyed their respite.

2. Though young sharks can seem slow-moving, when stimulated they can reach speeds of ____________ miles per hour.

3. What probably made Charles more vulnerable?

4. Long distance swimmer, Robert W. Dowling, ________________, announced he would swim out four miles in the Atlantic--sharks be damned!

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Why might the hotel have kept Charles' death a secret?

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

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

4. Had any new evidence come in regarding the dangers of sharks by the time Oelrichs died? Why or why not?

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

6. Describe the attack on Bruder.

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

8. 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?

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

George Burgess believed the shark that attacked the Jersey Shore in 1916 was a rogue shark.

Part 1) What is a rogue shark? How did Burgess come to this conclusion about certain sharks and specifically this one? Do you believe he is accurate in describing this shark as a rogue shark? Why or why not?

Part 2) Does the author seem to believe this shark is a rogue shark? Why or why not? Do you believe rogue sharks exist? Why or why not?

Part 3) Do you believe other animals, including humans, can be rogue creatures? Why or why not? How much more dangerous would these types of creatures be than those who were not classified as "rogue?"

(see the answer keys)

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