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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. After the U.S. Army Corps takes control of the Atchafalaya, Old Cajun bayou life is:

2. On General Sand's floating conference boat, Oliver Houck is the only board member who is active in what?

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

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

5. Over a number of centuries, how does the Mississippi River form the state of Louisiana?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What are some of the main points the author tries to make through this work of historical nonfiction?

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

5. What are some of the predominant problems in the regions populated near the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers?

6. Why does the author state that ever since the Corps took control of the Atchafalaya, the river's name means "collision" to him?

7. Throughout the 1700s and 1800s, what did people in southern Louisiana do to protect their communities and land against floods?

8. Explain how the Mississippi River forms Louisiana over many centuries.

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part of the problem is that people settle into regions that are particularly hazardous: floodplains, active volcanic zones, and places prone to mountain landslides, brush fires, and earthquakes.

1. Using examples from the book, elaborate upon some of the reasons the author gives to explain why people settle in regions where natural forces are especially active, posing risks to the communities that develop there.

2. Is the author sympathetic or unsympathetic to man's plight in his efforts to control nature? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

From your observations of the Louisiana, Iceland, and California examples the author covers in his book, explain why people choose to live in dangerous places where the forces of nature are especially active. Do you feel that the reasons for living in these places outweigh the risks and dangers? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Compare and contrast how residents of Hawaii and residents of Iceland handle the challenges that come from living on volcanic lands.

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