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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. At what temperature did the columns of the World Trade Center become vulnerable to buckling?

2. How long does the radioactivity of potassium-40 last?

3. What size blade could a knife have before 9/11 to be carried on board a plane?

4. In Chapter 6, what was the name of Muller's student in his anecdote?

5. What is the radius of damage that would be caused by a 1-kiloton blast?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did the terrorists who carried out the bombing of the World Trade Center use their basic knowledge of airport security?

2. Where is most oil found underground, and how can it be extracted?

3. In Chapter 7, was the United States running out of fossil fuels?

4. What does the author say about the ineptness of suicide bombers?

5. What happened to anthrax that was grown in Soviet laboratories, and what threat could it still pose?

6. How have gasoline and oil been used in the past?

7. How does the energy released by jet fuel or gasoline compare to TNT, and why is TNT used instead of other sources with more energy?

8. What are some things that are and are not radioactive?

9. How does food compare in energy to gasoline and to TNT?

10. What anecdote does the author share regarding a conversation between one of his student's and a physicist?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Anecdotes are short stories used by an author to provide personal knowledge or experience of a topic being discussed. What are some anecdotes the author uses in the book? How does the use of anecdotes help readers understand concepts?

Essay Topic 2

There is concern that the Earth’s climate is changing because of human activity. Why is it important to distinguish between human-caused phenomena and natural climate fluctuations? How will solutions need to be based upon cause?

Essay Topic 3

Space exploration can be manned or unmanned. What are the dangers of space exploration for astronauts? How can unmanned expeditions provide as much or more information than a manned flight? Why would it be safer to stop sending astronauts into space and use robots or computers?

(see the answer keys)

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