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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. With whom did Leroy Percy form a relationship that benefited him greatly in the 1900's?
(a) The leader of the KKK.
(b) Eads.
(c) J. Edgar Hoover.
(d) President Theodore Roosevelt.

2. Who finally gave approval for Thompson to organize his plan when he arrives back to the Delta area?
(a) Coolidge.
(b) Percy.
(c) Governor Simpson.
(d) Hoover.

3. What were the three basic methods that engineers have attempted to control the river?
(a) Levees, dams, and cutoffs.
(b) Levees, outlets, and dams.
(c) Dams, outlets and cutoffs.
(d) Levees, outlets, and cutoffs.

4. What was Eads' proposition to change the mouth of the Mississippi River?
(a) Changing the course of the river.
(b) Making a series of canals.
(c) Building dams.
(d) A series of jetties.

5. What two things did Humphrey unsuccessfully attempt to do to change the mouth of the Mississippi River?
(a) Dredges and bridges.
(b) Canals and dredges.
(c) Bridges and canals.
(d) Creating a new river and a dam.

Short Answer Questions

1. During the 1900 a new demand surged in throughout the United States. What was that demand?

2. In 1920, the country was filled with racial hatred and fear. What group gained enormous fame and wealth during this time?

3. As floodwaters raged, what was happening to the crevasse at Mounds Landing?

4. During the 19th century, what was the attitude about the Mississippi River?

5. What percentage of the United States does the Mississippi River drain?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the Boston Club symbolize in New Orleans?

2. After reading the reports of Humphreys and Eads and hearing the oppositions of many engineers, the government insisted the reason the levees weren't working is because they weren't built correctly, not because other things were needed. Why didn't the politicians listen to the reports?

3. Why did the author start the book on a stormy night?

4. As many cities along the Mississippi found themselves under tremendous amounts of water, what was the mood in the Midwest?

5. Why do people want to follow the ways of the Ku Klux Klan rather than follow Percy's successful lead?

6. Why does Hoover see being the chairman of the flood committee as a great opportunity?

7. When Humphreys does publish his report, it receives great acclaim in Europe, but because of the Civil War it doesn't receive a lot of recognition in the United States. Why would the Civil War limit the recognition of Humphreys' report?

8. What would be the purpose of one town sabotaging the levee in another town?

9. World War I has begun and the Delta area is flourishing, yet lacking in manpower. Percy is a big influence for the fine development of the area, yet the more successful the area's development becomes, the more Percy's popularity decreases. Why do you think this happens?

10. When the author says it is hoped that the bridge construction will "marry steamboats to railroads", what does he mean?

(see the answer keys)

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