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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 sound is the only warning the people in East Conemaugh receive before the flood in Chapter 4?

2. What date did the Johnstown flood begin?

3. Who was willing to help foot the bill for an outlet pipe system to increase the safety of the dam?

4. How many passengers and porters on the Day Express died in the flood?

5. How many miles downstream from its origins does Lake Conemaugh reform in Chapter 4?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How are the residents of Johnstown who are participating in the Memorial Day Parade described?

3. What reasons does the author say allowed the water to flow freely down the mountains in Johnstown?

4. How is the South Fork dam described at the beginning of Chapter 2?

5. What happens when the water hits its first major obstacle in Chapter 4?

6. What does John G. Parke witness when he returns to the town from delivering the flood warning?

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

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

9. How is George Heiser described in Chapter 1?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the role of the journalists in the crisis. What information could be gathered based on their reports? Are these reports mostly factual? What negative aspects were involved in these reports?

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

(see the answer keys)

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