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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 animal does Darwin use to support his beliefs about evolution?

2. After a disastrous flood in what year, did the Army Corps of Engineers extend the levees?

3. What book does Kolbert say led to the introduction of Asian carp in U.S. rivers?

4. Prior to the digging of the canal, Chicago’s waste ran into the Chicago River and into Lake Michigan, which led to what regular outbreaks?

5. What two drainage basins were linked with the reversal of the Chicago River and the creation of the Sanitary and Ship Canal?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What problems has human domination over nature caused, according to Kolbert?

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. How is an atoll formed?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

And under a white sky into the wild chapter 3, Kolbert begins and ends the chapter talking about gods. What does she say about gods in this chapter? Of what does this inform the reader? How does this talk about gods affect the tone of the book? How secure does the reader feel about mankind in his abilities in relation to this talk of gods?

Essay Topic 2

Kolbert uses both present tense and past tense throughout under a white sky. When does she use present tense and why? When does she use past tense and why? Does this change in tenses help the reader? Why or why not? And what other ways to Colbert try to take challenging information and make it more interesting and understanding for the reader?

Essay Topic 3

What does Kolbert say about man and his relationship with the natural world? Do you agree with her? Why or why not? Has reading Under a White Sky altered your perspective of the environment and what is being done to remedy problems? If so, how? If not, why not?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 968 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample