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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When do some people believe that humans began altering the atmosphere, called the early Anthropocene hypothesis?
(a) 8 or 9 years ago.
(b) 800 or 900 years ago.
(c) 80 or 90 years ago.
(d) 8,000 or 9,000 years ago.

2. What is done to make the geothermal plant cleaner that Kolbert visits?
(a) The carbon dioxide is dissolved in water and then injected it into the ground.
(b) The hydrogen sulfide is dissolved in water and then injected it into the ground.
(c) The hydrogen dioxide is dissolved in water and then injected it into the ground.
(d) The carbon monoxide is dissolved in water and then injected it into the ground.

3. What did Lin Schwarzkopf help to invent?
(a) CRISPR.
(b) Brodifacoum.
(c) The Toadinator trap.
(d) CATCHA.

4. What did Lackner found in 2014 at ASU?
(a) The Center for Global Cooling.
(b) The Center for Negative Carbon Emissions.
(c) The Center for Solar Geoengineering Studies.
(d) The Center for Disease Control.

5. What is NOT a reason given for why taking carbon dioxide out of a gas stream is difficult?
(a) Disposal of large amounts of carbon dioxide underground would be tricky.
(b) It is expensive.
(c) It is a challenging and dangerous technique.
(d) It must be done on a massive scale.

6. To what has gene-drive technology been compared?
(a) Kurt Vonnegut’s ice-nine.
(b) Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice.
(c) Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange.
(d) Steven King’s It.

7. According to Kolbert, if the Anthropocene’s clearest geological marker is a spike in radioactive particles, what is its clearest biological marker?
(a) A spike in disease.
(b) A decline in disease.
(c) A decline in rodents.
(d) A spike in rodents.

8. What combination does Kolbert mention that could make cane toads non-lethal and coral heat-resistant?
(a) CRISPR used in conjunction with the power of dominant genes.
(b) CRISPR used in conjunction with the power of outliar genes.
(c) CRISPR used in conjunction with the power of rogue genes.
(d) CRISPR used in conjunction with the power of outlaw genes.

9. Kolbert describes a carbon scrubbing machine invented by Lackner. To what does she compare it?
(a) A floor lamp.
(b) A living room couch.
(c) A semi-trailer.
(d) A coffee table.

10. What is it called to bring a species back from extinction?
(a) Frankenstein genetics.
(b) Genetic rescue.
(c) Genetic rebirth.
(d) Genetic resurrection.

11. What did the cannibal snails cause in Hawaii?
(a) A tropical avalanche.
(b) Mudslides.
(c) An extinction spree.
(d) An extinction avalanche.

12. According to Kolbert, why are mice perfect lab animals?
(a) They are cheap and easy to care for.
(b) They are small and gentle.
(c) They are clean and obedient.
(d) Their genetics are well known and studied.

13. For how long might you be blind if cane toad poison gets in your eyes?
(a) A few days.
(b) A few week.
(c) A few hours.
(d) Permanently.

14. To keep the temperature increase at a minimum, the world would have to end all emissions by when?
(a) The next decade.
(b) The next few years.
(c) The next five decades.
(d) The next century.

15. What is Brodifacoum?
(a) A trap used to catch cane toads.
(b) An anticoagulant used to kill mice.
(c) A powerful cleaning and disinfecting product.
(d) An antibiotic used to heal sick animals.

Short Answer Questions

1. What do Tizard and his partner hope to accomplish regarding cane toad eggs?

2. Who is Paul Thomas?

3. What is the main genetic modification plan for the cane toads in the lab?

4. Who is Edda Aradóttir?

5. What does Kolbert end the chapter wondering about all the burning trash, the acres of glass, the boxes of bumblebees, the vegetables raised on chemicals and captured carbon dioxide?

(see the answer keys)

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