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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the spring of 1973, what does the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers do to try to alleviate the tremendous force of water against the control structure?
(a) Dam up water north of the structure.
(b) Purposely flood the entire region.
(c) Dig a ditch to re-route the water.
(d) Open up all eleven gates.

2. In a conversation between General Sands and Oliver Houck on a floating conference boat, what does the General remind Houck regarding the vital role of the U.S. Army Corps?
(a) No other organization has authority to control Louisiana's rivers.
(b) The Corps is keeping his neighborhood safe from nine feet of water.
(c) The Corps keeps the region safe against criminals.
(d) This is the only organization that has ever succeeded in maintaining order in New Orleans.

3. The Old River Control began its operations in what year?
(a) 1988.
(b) 1963.
(c) 1931.
(d) 1917.

4. When was the Kent, a small towboat used by the U.S. Army Corps, put into service?
(a) 1964.
(b) 1952.
(c) 1973.
(d) 1989.

5. 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.

6. Rabalais says he remembers being taught in high school that one day, these would be built:
(a) Skyscrapers along the river banks.
(b) Lighter and sturdier barges.
(c) Structures to control water flows.
(d) Ships to travel faster along rivers.

7. This book is a:
(a) Science fiction novel.
(b) Traditional science textbook.
(c) Traditional history textbook.
(d) Historical nonfiction novel.

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

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

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

11. Congress mandates that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey the Mississippi and tributaries in order to assure and improve what?
(a) Aquatic recreation.
(b) Inland navigation.
(c) Water rights.
(d) Farmland irrigation.

12. At one point, Rabalais drives the author first to the Mississippi River and then to the Atchafalaya River, showing him that the Mississippi is 18 feet above sea level while the Atchafalaya is how many feet above sea level?
(a) Twenty-five.
(b) Nineteen.
(c) Five.
(d) One.

13. After the U.S. Army Corps takes control of the Atchafalaya, Old Cajun bayou life is:
(a) Renewed.
(b) Enriched.
(c) Lost.
(d) Diminished.

14. In the mid-1800s, the United States Congress passes a Swamp and Overflow Land Act to:
(a) Deed swampland to individual states.
(b) Evict land squatters.
(c) Take away ownership rights.
(d) Create a new water control system.

15. The livelihood of approximately how many people is affected by the Old River Control?
(a) 13 hundred.
(b) 3 thousand.
(c) 31 thousand.
(d) 3 million.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. When floodwaters cover twenty-six thousand square miles in 1927, how is New Orleans saved?

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

4. What are residents of French Acadia called?

5. For how many years after the Old River Control begins does the operation appear to be successful?

(see the answer keys)

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