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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. What is Thorbjorn Sigurgeirsson's vocation?

2. Even though Hawaii's Hilo is often threatened by lava flows, Hilo has thus far been protected because:

3. For the most part, residents of Heimaey are what during the 1973 eruptions?

4. After work crews deal with the moving mountain on Iceland's erupting island, what challenge do they face?

5. During Thorbjorn Sigurgeirsson's test run to cool lava by the coastline, what happens?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How do residents of Heimaey benefit from the cooling but still hot lava after the 1973 eruptions?

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

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

5. How do the working crews stop the large chunk of mountain from crashing into Heimaey's town and port?

6. Describe work crews' first attempts at cooling off the lava flows of Heimaey in 1973.

7. Who is Thorbjorn Sigurgeirsson, and what idea does he come up with?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Using key characters from "Atchafalaya," show how groups of people (such as environmentalists, government officials, engineers, and residents) are in conflict with each other and with themselves in their attempts to deal with the challenging geography of the region.

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

Describe life for the residents of Heimaey before and after their island erupts in 1973. How is life for the islanders different afterward? How is it worse? How is it better?

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