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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 are CSOs?

2. When Manly and the others arrived at the edge of Death Valley, what did they think the fish were that they saw swimming in the cavern pool?

3. Why was the Old River Control Auxiliary Structure created?

4. What event does Kolbert attend that is to bring awareness and interest in eating carp?

5. To what is the land in the southern region of Louisiana compared?

Short Essay Questions

1. What do most of the Australians Kolbert spoke to think about the future of the Great Barrier Reef?

2. How did the indigenous people of the New Orleans area deal with flooding versus the first European settlers?

3. In what ways are those in the Chicago area trying to manage the carp problem?

4. How does Ruth Gates hope to aid the world's coral reefs?

5. Why was the Old River Control Auxiliary Structure created?

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

7. What led to the introduction of non-native species to control pests?

8. What has happened to Isle de Jean Charles?

9. What is the problem with Wood Screw Pumps?

10. What is the reason for why the Chicago River was reversed?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

Kolbert frequently mentions the price tag for human intervention. Why might she do this? How does this affect the reader? What does it also mean for the work done by specialists to save ecosystems? How might these high prices impact decisions made regarding the environment?

Essay Topic 3

Scientists have come up with wild and crazy ideas for dealing with climate change. What are a couple examples? Are these valid options? Why or why not? Are even the craziest ideas important? Why or why not?

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This section contains 906 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample