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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. When does the author visit Vestmannaeyjar?

2. What position does Magnus Magnusson hold in 1973?

3. Heimaey is considered to be an important what?

4. Why do residents of Heimaey hose down oncoming lava?

5. What does the U.S. Army Air Corps do to an insulating vent on Mauna Loa volcano in 1935?

Short Essay Questions

1. How do the views of Hawaiian natives towards volcanoes differ from the views of the U.S. Army Air Corps?

2. How old are the oldest parts of Hawaii and Iceland?

3. Describe how Thorbjorn Sigurgeirsson and Sveinn Eiriksson work together to fight against the lava that threatens Heimaey's town and harbor.

4. What is the "City Flow?"

5. What hazards do workers face as they try to stop the lava flows?

6. Describe what happens to the north side of the growing volcano on Heimaey.

7. What role does Magnus Magnusson play during the 1973 volcanic eruptions in Heimaey?

8. Describe how workers are able to walk upon lava fields as they try to cool down the lava on Heimaey in 1973.

9. Briefly describe Mauna Loa.

10. Is there any warning prior to the eruption in Heimaey that began on January 23, 1973?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Describe three or four of the key players in the quest to cool lava on the island off the coast of Iceland. Who are these individuals? How do they contribute to the effort and the final outcome? Do their backgrounds and character traits help or hinder their efforts?

Essay Topic 3

In "Los Angeles Against The Mountains," the Genofile family decides to rebuild on their steep mountain property even after an enormous debris flow barrels through their house, endangering their lives.

1. Describe the pros and cons of rebuilding at this same location. Do you feel Bob Genofile made the right decision to rebuild here? Why or why not?

2. Do you think the monetary award the family received from the county is fair compensation? Why or why not?

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This section contains 890 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample