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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. How many crucial changes did Ruff's men find that Fulton failed to notice?

3. What date did the Johnstown flood begin?

4. What massive landmark was the water's first major obstacle?

5. What does Hettie Ogle see sweep past her and slam into a pier near the end of Chapter 3?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is Johnstown like in 1889 in terms of amenities?

3. What are the four critical changes John Fulton discovers must be made regarding Ruff's men's findings at the end of Chapter 2?

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

5. What does John G. Parke do when he sees serious leaks in the dam in Chapter 3?

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

7. How is the founding of Johnstown described?

8. Describe what Hess and Liggett do after becoming stranded in Mineral Point.

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

10. Describe what happens to the Limited when the flood carries it away.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of Clara Barton and the Red Cross in the crisis. What was the nature of their portrayal? What role did they play in the success of the Johnstown relief efforts?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the structure of the book. What methods did the author use to tell this story? Was the structure used in the book successful?

Essay Topic 3

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

(see the answer keys)

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