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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. Where do biologists like Tizard hope to get the power to spread genetic modifications throughout a species?

2. In Into the Wild: Chapter 3, why does Kolbert begin with an explanation of the Norse god, Odin?

3. Lackner also believes that dealing with emissions should be similar to dealing with what?

4. Where did the house mouse originate?

5. Kolbert talks about a trip she took to Zurich, Switzerland, where she visited a Climeworks facility; what was done with the carbon dioxide?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are a couple of the responses when asked about man’s roll and fixing or protecting the environment in into the wild Chapter 3?

2. What is the issue with chemical weathering regarding carbon dioxide?

3. What are the concerns surrounding rising temperatures?

4. What is the explanation that Tizzard gives for why genetic modifications are a good option for dealing with imbalances in nature?

5. What makes cane toads so destructive?

6. What must happen to keep temperature rise to less than two degrees?

7. What is the early Anthropocene hypothesis?

8. What are three major issues with the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?

9. What are the pros and cons of a powerful gene drive?

10. How are geothermal plants clean?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Kolbert starts off Up in the Air Chapter 1 by mentioning a subscription she paid for that claimed, for a fee, they would scrub the buyer’s carbon emissions from the atmosphere. Would you have paid for such a service? Why or why not? Do you believe others, besides Kolbert, would pay for this service? Why or why not? What might this reveal about the majority of people?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 950 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample