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. How many passengers are aboard the Louisiana the day of the hurricane?

2. Who takes over the scandal-ridden weather service in 1887?

3. How many storms are there in the hurricane season before Galveston?

4. What does Joseph come to Galveston to be?

5. Where do the American forecasters think the storm is headed?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Galveston like in 1900?

2. What is the difference between Isaac and Joseph's points of view in the early morning hours of September 8?

3. What is the butterfly effect?

4. How did Isaac do in the initial part of his training for the weather service?

5. What does Isaac do for the U.S. Weather Bureau?

6. Describe the photograph taken of Isaac by New Orleans photographer.

7. Why was the creation of the Weather Service controversial?

8. What does Captain J. W. Simmons of the Pensacola experience after his ship leaves Galveston the morning of the hurricane?

9. What is the weather like across the country during August 1900?

10. How is Isaac a reflection of the country at this time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the use of descriptive and figurative language used throughout the story and the effect they have on the narrative.

Essay Topic 2

In Part II, Larson quotes a conversation between Colonel Dunwoody and Julio Jover of the Belen College Observatory. The final sentence of the conversation is Colonel Dunwoody saying, "It cannot be; no cyclone ever can move from Florida to Galveston." How is this conversation not only emblematic of the politics of the weather services but also of the cost of America's arrogance?

Essay Topic 3

What elements of human nature are captured in the "Spectacle" potion of the book? How is this shown to be intertwined with the ferocious beauty in nature?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 796 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample