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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. During the 19th century, what was the attitude about the Mississippi River?

2. What happened within 10 days of the change in the crevasse at Mounds Landing?

3. Which two things did river height depend on?

4. What happened in the Mississippi region between 1884-1889?

5. Why did most levees fail?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Thompson feel he is doing a good thing by withholding news from the public?

2. The railroads and river make the Delta region flourish, yet there is a shortage of workers in the area. How will the better treatment of blacks by LeRoy Percy help this problem?

3. Why does Hoover see being the chairman of the flood committee as a great opportunity?

4. Humphreys has his friend, Charles Howell, inspect the progress Eads is making on the jetties. Howell makes a report that the jetties aren't working the way Eads said they would. Eads in turn has a friend of his disclaim Humphreys' report. Why does Humphreys lie in his report?

5. 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?

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

7. 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?

8. Both Ellet and Humphreys are in competition to survey the Mississippi River. Ellet's report came out first and Humphreys takes Ellet's report as a personal insult. Why would Humphreys be insulted by Ellet's report?

9. 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?

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

It is repeated that Hoover needed the support of the black community to run for president, yet at this time, they did not have the right to vote. Why was the support of the black community crucial to Hoover? Why did he make promises he couldn't keep? Why did Moton continue to support him even though he realized Hoover is full of empty promises?

Essay Topic 2

Many decisions in this period of time were based upon politics and what would be best for the individual. Name at least 3 events in which a decision was made based on the desires of a politician. How did this decision affect the events of this time in history?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 937 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample