1. How much land mass has the Isle de Jean Charles lost since the 1950s?
(a) It has shrunk from thirty-five square miles to fifteen square miles.
(b) It has shrunk from thirty-five square miles to twenty-five square miles.
(c) It has shrunk from thirty-five square miles to half a square mile.
(d) It has shrunk from thirty-five square miles to five square miles.

2. Why were low-lying parts of New Orleans not abandoned to the water?
(a) After the most recent hurricanes, they recovered on their own.
(b) It was not necessary.
(c) The locals fought to save their property.
(d) It did not make sense politically.

3. Why was electric shock chosen to deter the fish?
(a) It was the least expensive and seemed the most ethical.
(b) It was the most environmentally-friendly option.
(c) It was the only suggestion given for keeping the fish out.
(d) It was the fastest way to lower the number of fish.

4. What was the original name of New Orleans, as given by Kolbert in this book?
(a) NOLA.
(b) L’Isle de la Nouvelle Orléans.
(c) Bulbancha.
(d) L'isle de Duc de l'Orléans.

5. What two events sped up the drop in pupfish numbers?
(a) Regular above ground nuclear blasts and the pumping of water for a new community.
(b) Over-crowding of species and an overgrown fungus.
(c) Rising sea levels and air temperatures.
(d) An earthquake and drought.

Short Answer Questions

1. When Kolbert visits the United States Army Corps of Engineers’ location in Chicago soon after her cruise down the sewage canal, she meets with whom?

2. Kolbert moves onto a visit to the Old River Control Auxiliary Structure located how many miles upriver of Baton Rouge?

3. To what does Kolbert compare the bringing back of a species from the brink of extinction?

4. What is NOT a reason for why Devil’s Hole is a geological oddity?

5. What animal does Darwin use to support his beliefs about evolution?

(see the answer key)

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