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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. In 1920, the country was filled with racial hatred and fear. What group gained enormous fame and wealth during this time?

2. Which three rivers continued to rise as their levees fail?

3. What controversial issue did Eads propose that was authorized in 1867?

4. As other cities are flooding, why did panic erupt amongst the residents in New Orleans?

5. When Humphrey returned from studying deltaic rivers, what did he do?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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?

4. Much of the Delta region is underwater from the failure of levees, yet the people of Greenville still have faith in their protection levee. What happens to their levee?

5. World War I has begun and the Delta area is flourishing, yet lacking in manpower. Percy is a big influence for the fine development of the area, yet the more successful the area's development becomes, the more Percy's popularity decreases. Why do you think this happens?

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

7. One night, a boat approaches the levee that protects St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parshes and is shot at. Why was the boat shot at?

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

9. What would be the purpose of one town sabotaging the levee in another town?

10. After facing complete opposition, how would Eads' offer to independently pay for the construction of the jetties completely change the minds of the public and politicians?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discrimination was a major aspect of the novel. Compare and contrast how LeRoy Percy wished the blacks to be treated to how they were treated in the area. How did the action and the idea conflict? Why was this an important conflict in this time in history?

Essay Topic 2

LeRoy Percy was a man with great dignity and determination. How did he use his power to rise up against the KKK? How was he viewed for his interaction with the Klan? What did this tell the reader about him?

Essay Topic 3

During the Flood of 1927, many different "committees" were formed. Why were numerous committees established? From what social class were the chairmen selected? Were all the committees necessary?

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