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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Atchafalaya.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does the author say happens in the area of the Atchafalaya River in the spring of 1973?
(a) Dry conditions bring the river levels down, grounding countless boats.
(b) Three hurricanes devastate the region, leaving millions homeless.
(c) River levels rise and surrounding fields are covered in brown floodwater.
(d) Freak storms from the north bring snow to the region, freezing the rivers solid.

2. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers distributes Atchafalaya river water to swamps, bayous, towns, and cities in:
(a) Shreveport, Louisiana.
(b) Neighboring Mississippi.
(c) French Acadia.
(d) Houston, Texas.

3. What is the author's role in this book?
(a) Trained scientist.
(b) Influential politician.
(c) Passive observer.
(d) Investigative reporter.

4. What does James B. Eads invent to explore the Mississippi River?
(a) Underwater camera.
(b) Submarine.
(c) Water telescope.
(d) Glass-bottom boat.

5. The author states that how much of New Orleans lies fifteen feet below sea level?
(a) Ten percent.
(b) Half.
(c) One quarter.
(d) All of it.

Short Answer Questions

1. The Old River Control began its operations in what year?

2. Sympathetically, who does McPhee blame for destructive actions against the natural order of the environment?

3. A navigation lock on the bank of the Mississippi River lowers ships down to where?

4. During high spring waters, what danger forms unseen beneath turbulent waters at the outflow to the Atchafalaya?

5. Every thousand years or so, the Mississippi River goes through a major shift that leaves behind what?

(see the answer key)

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