View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Manly and nearly how many argonauts gathered in Salt Lake City to travel together to gold country in northern California?

2. When did William Lewis Manly take a difficult journey west?

3. Why is one of the locals at the town hall meeting against the creation of holes in the levees?

4. To what island does Kolbert compare desert ecosystems?

5. What is the scientific name for the Devil’s Hole pupfish?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Kolbert compare her stay at the Paris in Las Vegas to life for the pupfish in Devils Hole Jr.?

2. What is the purpose of the model delta at the Center for River Studies?

3. What is the problem with Wood Screw Pumps?

4. How is an atoll formed?

5. What is the solution chosen for dealing with the Asian carp problem in and around Chicago?

6. What is the crime that was committed at Devils Hole?

7. What is William Lewis Manly's role in the discovery of Devils Hole?

8. Why were Asian carp brought over to the U.S.?

9. What has happened to Isle de Jean Charles?

10. What is amazing about coral reefs?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Through the study of ice cores, it is learned that D-O events have taken place over the course of our planet's history. What are D-O events? When did they take place? How did they affect our world? How do they help scientists understand our future? How does reading about these events alter your understanding of the world we live in?

Essay Topic 2

Kolbert clearly is drawn to Ruth Gates and her work. How is Gates different than other scientists Kolbert encounters in this book? Why is Kolbert drawn to her and her work? What does this reveal about Kolbert?

Essay Topic 3

Kolbert compares a night in the Las Vegas Paris to Devils Hole Jr. What is the comparison that is made? Why does she make this comparison? What does this reveal about her opinion regarding manmade habitats?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 922 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample