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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 was the last name of the first white settlers that came to Johnstown in 1771?

2. In what section of the train did a passenger have to jump over, crawl under, or run around in order to escape the flood in Chapter 4?

3. What society does W. Horace Rose found in Johnstown?

4. How many people live in South Fork, according to Chapter 2?

5. Who is the first flood-related death ever in Johnstown?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens to the city of Woodvale in Chapter 4?

2. How is the rain described when it starts in Johnstown at 4 p.m. on May 31st?

3. How does the author describe the cheap construction techniques used on the South Fork dam?

4. How is George Heiser described in Chapter 1?

5. What do the passengers in Section 1 do once they realize they're in danger in Chapter 4?

6. How is the founding of Johnstown described?

7. How does Benjamin Ruff repair the dam after it first floods in 1862?

8. What reason does the author say the local fishermen are irritated by the club management in Chapter 2?

9. How do the townspeople of Johnstown react to the telegraph message warning them that the dam would break?

10. In what way does Daniel Johnson Morrell change the iron business according to Chapter 2?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the role of the train engineers during the crisis. What impact did they have on the outcome of the flood?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of Robert Pitcairn in the book. What was his purpose in the relief efforts?

Essay Topic 3

Examine the townsfolk of Johnstown's initial response to the flood. What does this say about their mentality regarding the flood? What reasons did they have for reacting this way?

(see the answer keys)

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