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

2. In 1926, what prevented annual levee maintenance?

3. What event did the Boston Club pay a large role in?

4. In the 1850's, what two cities were involved in a transportation and freighting competition?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. When the author says it is hoped that the bridge construction will "marry steamboats to railroads", what does he mean?

2. 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?

3. 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?

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

5. 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?

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

7. After the Mounds Landing Crevasse widens and thousands of acres are underwater, many other levees begin to fail. The white people left the area, while the black people stayed behind to work. What does this tell the reader about the Delta region?

8. Why does the destruction of the St. Bernard and Plaquemines levee prove to be unnecessary?

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Weather was a major contribution to the historical events that occurred during 1927. What part did weather have in this nonfiction book? Why was weather so important? What did the people believe about weather during the floods?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 854 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample