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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. Attempts to control a particular ________ in Clear Lake, California resulted in massive bird death.

2. In 1960, in the Klamath/Tule Lake region, agricultural pesticides were collected in the water bodies of a _____________.

3. The majority of the Earth's surface is covered with __________.

4. The business of chemical _______ is booming because people approach plant life without thinking about any perspective but their own immediate desires.

5. What was applied to a large area of Illinois over an 8 year period in order to try to control the Japanese Beetle?

Short Essay Questions

1. What makes humans different from the plants and animals in nature, with regard to their ability to do?

2. How does Carson think weeds are defined by most people in today's world?

3. Why do the tourists come to see the birds, as stated in this opening chapter?

4. What were the results of the spraying of the Japanese beetle in Michigan in 1959?

5. What are the smallest organisms on the Earth which live in the soil?

6. What is an unexpected result of the deaths of many birds within an area?

7. What is the 'window' that is referred to in the title of this chapter of the book?

8. What were the results of the gypsy moth spraying in 1956?

9. What do our individual bodies have that the larger environment does as well?

10. What were some of the lies the government told about the fire any population?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The cycle between the various areas of the environment begins to reveal just how intertwined everything is - and how horrible it would be if one part of the cycle is disrupted.

Part 1: Describe the cycle that takes place between the plants, the soil, and the animals.

Part 2: Why is the soil so important in this life cycle?

Part 3: What is the role of the insects and the mites in the soil?

Essay Topic 2

The public health problem that comes along with pollution is one of the fears of those in the environmental movement. If things can not be controlled, disaster might strike.

Part 1: Why have the old public health problems of disease become less of an issue today?

Part 2: What are the new public health crises?

Part 3: Why is it so important to public health to control pollution and chemical exposure now?

Essay Topic 3

Carson offers solutions to the troubles of 'weeds' and insects as well, not just a litany of troubles that are being caused by man's need for control.

Part 1: What are some ways Carson says one could naturally control the spread of 'weeds'?

Part 2: What are some of the ways Carson suggests to control insects that are unwanted in a particular area?

Part 3: Doesn't any form of control harm the environment? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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