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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. The owner and captain of the yacht was the wealthy shipping mogul Hermann Oelrichs. One of Oelrichs' goals was to debunk the myth that sharks were man-eaters. He felt certain that their bad publicity stemmed from pure fantasy. He had offered a reward of ____________ for proof that any person had ever been attacked by a shark.

2. The shark had traveled ____________ miles north from Beach Haven.

3. Dr. Nichols, after viewing Bruder's wounds, concluded what?

4. One fact that made the thought of men being killed or eaten by sharks unrealistic to many was what?

5. The only known evidence of a shark attack had been what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the great white still remain much of a mystery today?

2. What did most people think about the idea of a shark attacking a human? Why did they believe this?

3. How did Dr. Vansant try to save his son? Why was this not adequate?

4. Describe a young great white shark regarding its size and speed in the water. What might this mean for a human swimming in the water?

5. Describe the teeth of a shark. Why might they be like this?

6. What information is given about great whites in this section? How is this important?

7. What might have drawn the shark to the shore? How is this a plausible explanation?

8. Why might the hotel have kept Charles' death a secret?

9. What information is given about a specific shark? Why is this information important?

10. What might have drawn the shark to Charles Vansant?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Several hunts took place to find the man-eating shark.

Part 1) Describe one of these hunts. Who organized this hunt? How was this hunt operated? What information about sharks and other creatures did the men have when organizing this hunt?

Part 2) How successful was this hunt? Explain. How could this hunt have been more efficient and organized?

Part 3) Do you believe that this shark should have been hunted? Why or why not? How does the author feel about hunting and killing this shark? Use the book to support your response.

Essay Topic 2

The shark was put on display.

Part 1) Why was the shark put on display? Should it have been put on display? Why or why not? How else has the story of this man-eating shark been sensationalized and dramatized?

Part 2) Are animal attacks typical news stories? Why did this shark become so famous? Why were so many people drawn to the story of this shark? What does this reveal about human nature?

Part 3) Would a story such as this be as exciting today? Would news coverage be as spectacular? Why or why not? Might it be more spectacular? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Human-like bones were found in the belly of the shark.

Part 1) Describe the catching of the shark. How did it finally die? Could the shark have been killed if it had been full-grown or healthy? Why or why not? What does this reinforce about the power of sharks?

Part 2) What was found in the belly of the shark? Were the bones definitively found to be human remains? Why or why not? How might an investigation such as this have been different today? Why?

Part 3) Was there adequate proof that this was the shark that attacked and killed so many people? Why or why not? Do you believe the same shark attacked and/or killed all these people? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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