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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Down the River.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. After a disastrous flood in what year, did the Army Corps of Engineers extend the levees?
(a) 1920.
(b) 1917.
(c) 1927.
(d) 1827.

2. 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?
(a) The engineer in charge of the levees.
(b) The engineer in charge of the electric fish barriers.
(c) The engineer in charge or rerouting the river.
(d) The engineer in charge of cleaning the sewage canal.

3. What is NOT something that Kolbert says human domination over nature has caused?
(a) Dammed and diverted rivers.
(b) Large amounts of nitrogen and carbon dioxide.
(c) More species diversity and safer drinking water.
(d) Earthquakes.

4. How does Kolbert feel about the community of Isle de Jean Charles?
(a) She believes the community should move on and forget the island.
(b) She understands why no measures are being taken to save it, but she feels terrible for the residents.
(c) She feels outrage for how they have been mistreated.
(d) She feels that they should have left years ago.

5. Why is one of the locals at the town hall meeting against the creation of holes in the levees?
(a) The holes will let in too much water.
(b) There are not enough holes.
(c) Anything man-made leads to trouble.
(d) The holes are only a short-term solution.

Short Answer Questions

1. Each day at the Old River Control Auxiliary Structure, the gates are raised or lowered, depending on what?

2. What are the main causes of the shrinkage of Isle de Jean Charles?

3. What does Kevin Irons, the assistant chief of fisheries at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, feel is the best way to control the carp population?

4. What does Kolbert find at LSU’s Center for River Studies?

5. What problem does Joe Harvey mention to Kolbert?

(see the answer key)

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