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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. During the fifty years between New Orleans' floods of 1735 and 1785, what does the author say brings a false sense of security against flooding?
(a) Extended, raised levees.
(b) Drought conditions.
(c) Concrete seawalls.
(d) Prosperous economic boom.

3. What is commonly fished from the bayou regions around the Atchafalaya?
(a) Crawfish.
(b) Lobster.
(c) Trout.
(d) Salmon.

4. The author retells the time when Raphael G. Kazmann walks out onto the five hundred and sixty-six foot structure over the Old River but leaves quickly because:
(a) The two-hundred thousand ton structure is vibrating.
(b) A freak tidal wave is coming towards the structure.
(c) A hurricane is headed his way.
(d) An intense lightning storm develops over the area.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. The writing on Dugie's belt buckle reads:

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

3. What river does the author mention that connects the Atchafalaya and the Mississippi to form an H?

4. In New Orleans' earliest days, French settlers begin to live there despite the fact that the area:

5. This book is a:

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Major General Sands' concluding thoughts regarding the Old River Control Structure?

2. What is James B. Eads' contribution to the Mississippi River?

3. What is the goal of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with regards to the Atchafalya and Mississippi rivers?

4. In the 1700s, why did people settle in New Orleans and surrounding areas despite the region clearly being a floodplain?

5. Explain who thinks the Old River Control project is an arrogant enterprise, and why they think this.

6. In 1927, what happened to the region of the Mississippi River during the great flood?

7. Describe some of the challenges New Orleans faces because of its geographical location.

8. Who is Henry Shreve, and what does he do?

9. Describe what McPhee writes about Morgan City, Louisiana.

10. Congress enacts the Flood Control Act in 1928 to launch the Mississippi River and Tributaries Project. What is done through this project?

(see the answer keys)

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