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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Who are the patrons of the Boston Club?
(a) Nearly all the bank presidents in New Orleans.
(b) The blacks.
(c) The farmers.
(d) The blue collar workers.

2. How were the results of Thompson's plan being predicted?
(a) New Orleans will be saved.
(b) There will be no refugees.
(c) There will be thousands of refugees but the river will still rise.
(d) The river will stop rising.

3. Why were veterans enlisted during the time the levees were being fixed?
(a) To boost the economy.
(b) To train them for another tour of war.
(c) To protect the area from the Native Americans.
(d) To prevent sabotage.

4. What kept the Delta area underdeveloped during WWI?
(a) A busy hurricane season.
(b) War with the Native Americans.
(c) The Great Depression.
(d) A lack of manpower.

5. What percentage of the United States does the Mississippi River drain?
(a) 41%.
(b) 30%.
(c) 50%.
(d) 25%.

Short Answer Questions

1. What were the three basic methods that engineers have attempted to control the river?

2. What two things did Humphrey unsuccessfully attempt to do to change the mouth of the Mississippi River?

3. As much of the Delta area was flooding, why did Greenville remain hopeful?

4. Why was more attention given to Mardi Gras when the history of the area was given?

5. After losing the run for presidency, what did Hoover receive?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why did the author start the book on a stormy night?

2. What are the terms that are reached for the levee that protects St. Bernard and Plaquemines to be destroyed?

3. Why do people want to follow the ways of the Ku Klux Klan rather than follow Percy's successful lead?

4. How do the politics in New Orleans operate during the time of the flood in 1927?

5. Although the blacks are traditionally known for harvesting cotton, LeRoy Percy does not seek their help to avoid any racial tensions. Instead, Percy imports thousands of Italians and racial problems still emerge. Why does this happen?

6. Thompson has the idea of dynamiting the levees to the south of New Orleans, but who gets the idea primarily accepted by everyone?

7. The author wrote that during the 1800's "the prevailing attitude is that the Mississippi River can be controlled if the laws of nature governing the river were understood." What could John M. Barry mean by this?

8. What does the Boston Club symbolize in New Orleans?

9. After reading the reports of Humphreys and Eads and hearing the oppositions of many engineers, the government insisted the reason the levees weren't working is because they weren't built correctly, not because other things were needed. Why didn't the politicians listen to the reports?

10. How is pressure the most damaging component to a levee?

(see the answer keys)

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