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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. Who conducts a church service on Sunday that initially attracts 30 people?

2. What town is Pitcairn the supreme commander of on the rail line?

3. How many of the 119 people riding debris downstream at 15 mph are saved in Chapter 6?

4. What church is the Rev. David Beale in charge of that is one of the places housing flood refugees?

5. What is the title of Chapter 5?

Short Essay Questions

1. How is the identification of the dead bodies described in Chapter 7?

2. How is Horace Rose's experience in the flood described near the end of Chapter 5?

3. What reasons does the author suggest for Pitcairn joining the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club?

4. How is Kurz and Allison's lithograph described?

5. What are the three destructive thrusts made by the wave as described in Chapter 5?

6. Describe what happens to Gertrude Quinn after she hides in a cupboard.

7. How are the Hungarians depicted in Johnstown in Chapter 8?

8. How is the work of the 200 photographers visiting Johnstown described?

9. How is Mr. Pitcairn described as he prepares to go to Johnstown to evaluate flood damage?

10. How is Henry S. Brown's journey to Johnstown described?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role of time period in the book. In what way is the time period to blame for the flood? What might have been different for the town had the flood occurred in a modern time period?

Essay Topic 2

Discuss the role of technology during the flood. What are some of the technological advances that could have helped the people of Johnstown to survive the flood? Did they make proper use of these measures?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the author's portrayal of social class in Johnstown. What role did the wealthy play in the town? What about the poor?

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