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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 sum does Unger summarize the losses at the club to be?

2. What is the name of the 1870 novel by Charles Reade that is quoted in the local newspaper after the flood?

3. What famous poet is asked to write something for the flood victims?

4. Which state's governor sends a shipment of tents and coffins to Johnstown?

5. What does Pitcairn say he fears among survivors, which prompts him to call for a public meeting to send supplies to survivors in Chapter 6?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe the city's reasons for needing quick disinfection in Chapter 8.

3. What does William Tice witness near the end of Chapter 5?

4. What is the nature of Pitcairn's second message to Pittsburgh?

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

6. What are some of the efforts made by the townsfolk in regards to helping the flood survivors in Chapter 7?

7. What happens to a man and two women seen riding a barn roof in Chapter 6?

8. How does the author describe the sightseers at the flood site?

9. How is Victor Heiser described when the wave reaches his family's property?

10. How is the use of dynamite described in Chapter 8?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Examine the portrayal of the city of Johnstown in the book. What is the nature of the atmosphere? How are the townsfolk described?

Essay Topic 2

Examine the author's use of perspective in the book. What methods did he use to tell this story? Was his use of perspective successful?

Essay Topic 3

Examine John Fulton's report on the dam in Chapter 2. What is the nature of this report? What might have been prevented in terms of the flood had this report been taken more seriously?

(see the answer keys)

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