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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. In two cases deaths were caused by people on the rim of the Grand Canyon doing what?

2. George Wingate caused an avalanche in 1885. Was anyone hurt?

3. Both gases are found in high concentrations where?

4. Harry Walker, 25, on Friday, ____________________, hitchhiked into Yellowstone Park illegally with his friend 'Crow.'

5. When bears attack, are they at fault?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the two naturally occurring poisonous gases at Yellowstone? Where can they be found? Why is this important to know?

2. What is surprising about bears at Yellowstone? Why might this be true?

3. What is surprising about hot springs deaths? What else is unique about them?

4. Have falling trees been a significant danger in Yellowstone? Why or why not?

5. Describe the court case that came from Harry's and Crow's actions.

6. What does the author understand about how humans feel about large, wild animals? What advice does he give?

7. Why is Yellowstone National Park fascinating for many visitors?

8. How does the author show that wild animals are unpredictable and dangerous?

9. What is said about lightning strikes? Why must visitors be careful during thunderstorms?

10. Why did many of the deaths described in this book take place?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Humans have a desire to be close to nature.

Part 1) Describe this desire, and support it with information from this book. Why do humans desire to be close to nature? How does this affect their behavior at places like Yellowstone?

Part 2) Why might humans feel that wild animals in a park would be tame? How do they come to assume this? How does Yellowstone try to warn visitors that this assumption is incorrect? Is this enough? Why or why not?

Part 3) How does the author suggest humans become closer to nature? What does this mean that visitors must understand? How might this belief affect Yellowstone and other parks like it?

Essay Topic 2

Deaths have taken place due to automobile and plane crashes.

Part 1) Describe the advent of the automobile in Yellowstone. How does this reflect changes throughout the U.S.? How did the automobile change Yellowstone? How does the author feel about this? Why does he feel this way?

Part 2) How dangerous is the automobile? How does this compare to horse-related fatalities? Are you surprised about which is more dangerous? Why or why not? How does the number of automobile fatalities compare to the number of plane crash fatalities?

Part 3) Who is often at fault in automobile accident fatalities? Who is at fault in plane crash fatalities? What can be done to prevent both of these types of accidents? How does this impact Yellowstone? How do these preventative measures compare to those used throughout the U.S.? Are these measures adequate? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

The author believes that the individual has a responsibility to make logical, safe decisions and conduct.

Part 1) Support this statement with information from this book. Why does the author believe this? How might his connection with the park influence his beliefs about visitors? Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

Part 2) Do you believe that most of these deaths were due to ignorance and negligence? Why or why not? Might the author agree with you? Why or why not?

Part 3) In the U.S., is most of the responsibility placed on the individual who is injured or killed or the place in which the injury or death occurs? Support this with information from this book. Do you agree that this is where the responsibility should be placed? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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