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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. A navigation lock on the bank of the Mississippi River lowers ships down to where?
(a) Gulf of Mexico.
(b) Atlantic Ocean.
(c) Atchafalaya River.
(d) Red River.

2. Throughout the book, a predominant theme is that the following gets in the way of man's plans:
(a) Nature.
(b) The economy.
(c) Machinery.
(d) Environmental Protection Agency.

3. Atchafalaya is a what?
(a) Mountain.
(b) City.
(c) Waterfall.
(d) River.

4. On General Sand's floating conference boat, Oliver Houck is the only board member who is active in what?
(a) Taking the census.
(b) Environmental movement.
(c) Local political life.
(d) Cancelling the Old River project.

5. The author asserts that due to floods in the region, Louisiana loses how much land each year?
(a) Fifty square miles.
(b) Three acres.
(c) A thousand square miles.
(d) Seven hundred acres.

6. In the early days of New Orleans, residents build their homes on what?
(a) Concrete risers.
(b) Metal bridges.
(c) Sand piles.
(d) Natural levees.

7. In 1928, Congress enacts the Flood Control Act to start what?
(a) Atchafalaya River and Levees Project.
(b) Mississippi River and Tributaries Project.
(c) Old and New Rivers Effort.
(d) Rivers, Tributaries, and Levees Effort.

8. During high spring waters, what danger forms unseen beneath turbulent waters at the outflow to the Atchafalaya?
(a) The partial collapse of one of the pylons.
(b) An enormous hole larger and deeper than a football stadium.
(c) Treacherous new rip currents.
(d) A crack in a gate of the control structure.

9. Every thousand years or so, the Mississippi River goes through a major shift that leaves behind what?
(a) Dry mudflats.
(b) Bayous and natural levees.
(c) Large, deep saltwater lakes.
(d) Stranded bird colonies.

10. The writing on Dugie's belt buckle reads:
(a) To conquer nature and advance humanity.
(b) To help control the Mississippi.
(c) To tame the wild Atchafalaya.
(d) To serve nature and protect man.

11. The author notes that many regard the Old River Project as what?
(a) A remarkable feat of engineering.
(b) A worthwhile endeavor.
(c) An arrogant enterprise.
(d) A colossal expense.

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

13. Henry Shreve changes the Mississippi River by introducing what?
(a) Vegetation native to Mexico.
(b) New fish breeds.
(c) Gambling along the river.
(d) Mississippi steamboat.

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

15. The author tells stories of the following people in conflict with forces of nature:
(a) Residents.
(b) Engineers.
(c) All of the them.
(d) Government officials.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does the 1927 flood in Louisiana teach officials about levees?

2. In the 1800s, why do levee districts and boards form in Louisiana?

3. The author mentions that when he met Rabalais, he wore what in his pocket?

4. What is commonly fished from the bayou regions around the Atchafalaya?

5. From St. Louis down to the Atchafalaya, General Sands takes note of what?

(see the answer keys)

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