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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. The Black Plague reached its peak in Europe between what years?

2. A study in Africa related to TB showed its decrease was likely due to what?

3. In Chapter 10: "Distant Thunder," the author writes that Harvey Milk was assassinated in what year?

4. What refers to a process by which thermal radiation is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases and then re-radiated in all directions?

5. Blackwater fever was caused by the overuse of what substance?

Short Essay Questions

1. What was the CDC's response to the initial outbreak of AIDS? Where had similar cases been seen?

2. What was the impact of tuberculosis in America? What improved conditions?

3. How does the author describe the Rivet Hypothesis in Chapter 16?

4. When was the hantavirus first discovered? What was the source of the epidemics?

5. How does the author describe the initial occurrences of AIDS in Chapter 11? Where were the outbreaks first seen?

6. What was the impact of antibiotics given to animals, as discussed in Chapter 13: "Revenge of the Germs"?

7. What illness broke out in New Mexico in 1993? How many people died?

8. With whom did Joe McCormick meet to discuss the Lassa virus? What was this relationship like?

9. How does the author describe the evolution of staph infections in Chapter 13: "Revenge of the Germs"?

10. How did drug use perpetuate the spread of AIDS?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and discuss the work of Merl Kuns and Al Wieden during the epidemic of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever, and the setting and geography of San Joaquin, Bolivia. How did the malnutrition of the villagers impact the spread of disease? How were living conditions tied to the disease?

Essay Topic 2

Describe and analyze the work of Dr. Jeanette Troup and Lily Pinneo. Where were Troup and Pinneo when they encountered the Lassa virus? Why did Pinneo recover from her infection? Who was given transfusions of Pinneo's blood and what reaction did they have?

Essay Topic 3

Describe and discuss the current epidemics in the world and solutions to future epidemics as based on the book's preface and the concepts of Johnathan Mann. What are the causes for greater risks of epidemics today than ten years ago? In what ways have these developments helped society and in what ways have they hindered it?

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