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. In England, the treatment of _______ with chemicals resulted in widespread bird deaths.

2. Large areas of Michigan were sprayed in 1959 in order to try to control what insect?

3. What was infected with chemicals that led to the death of so many robins?

4. Humans __________ plants when an an immediate use is not obvious for a plant.

5. Because synthetic pesticides are ______, they can easily poison intended and unintended targets.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the basis of all life function, according to Carson's writing in this chapter?

2. What are synthetic pesticides now made of, as opposed to the naturally occurring minerals which were once used before the war?

3. What is the environmental problem that results from all of the water sources of the Earth being connected to each other?

4. What is unlikely to bounce back after spraying that kill large numbers of their kind?

5. What is contained in food that is another source of lethal chemicals in the human body?

6. What caused the widespread application of chemicals in the time of World War II?

7. What was the immediate and devastating result of the spraying of the land for Dutch Elm Disease?

8. What happens when the bees are suddenly gone from this beautiful American town?

9. What are some of the reasons why DDT is so harmful to fish?

10. What happens during the sterilization method of insect control?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In the chapter, "Rivers of Death," the plight of the salmon is described in detail.

Part 1: What is the problem with the salmon as described by Carson?

Part 2: How might this problem have affected the surrounding areas?

Part 3: Why can't the fish population help itself? What are some of the ways in which they are going to have a lot of troubles rebounding from this decimation?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

Spraying campaigns were once the normal thing to do in order to take control of insect populations - but they are now seen as devastating actions to take.

Part 1: Describe the results of the gypsy spraying campaign.

Part 2: Describe the results of the fire ant eradication.

Part 3: Why are insects so crucial to save in relation to the environment and its ecosystems?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 647 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample