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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. Initially, Rabalais is hired as a construction inspector to watch for what at the navigation lock?

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

3. A snagboat is a river boat that does what?

4. When the author recalls his first time in the Atchafalaya swamps with Charles Fryling in 1980, what does he fondly remember?

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

Short Essay Questions

1. Name some of the companies and industries that are attracted to the regions in and around Baton Rouge and New Orleans as these communities develop.

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

3. Explain what the author says about Old Cajun bayou life in the Atchafalaya region after the Corps took control.

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

5. Describe Major General Thomas Sands' annual Low Water Inspection Trip along the Mississippi River.

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

7. What is the Old River Control project developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

1. How might building more debris basins alleviate mountain debris flow problems in Southern California? How might building more basins aggravate the problem?

2. How might adding more river control structures near the Atchafalaya River in Louisiana alleviate the region's flooding problems? How might adding more structures aggravate the problem?

Essay Topic 3

Throughout the book, the author discusses people who try to control nature as well as people who respect nature and choose to live with it instead of working against it. Compare and contrast these two groups of people using specific examples from each section.

(see the answer keys)

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