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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 _________ of Wyoming which supported many animal species were unintentionally killed, leading to massive animal death.

2. Large-scale, single-crop farming eliminates the _______________ that provided built in control of pests.

3. Where was the population of Japanese Beetles effectively controlled?

4. What was one of the chemicals used in the massive spraying in #78?

5. Because animals are affected by chemicals, scientists are having a hard time finding uncontaminated animals to serve as _________ in experiments.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the smallest organisms on the Earth which live in the soil?

2. What are the relatively new sources of water pollution, according to this book?

3. What do the mitochondria of cells do within the body?

4. What is the environmental problem that results from all of the water sources of the Earth being connected to each other?

5. How are commercial fishermen affected by the spread of chemicals among the fish population?

6. What does Carson encourage readers to do in relation to the information they receive about pollution and pest control?

7. What are two of the factors which are contributing to the chemical deposits in the earth, water, and living tissues?

8. What puzzles the doctors during the mysterious blight in this area?

9. What is an unexpected result of the deaths of many birds within an area?

10. What happens when plants grow within the chemically-laced soil?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Nature, despite all the humans do to it, still seems to put up a fight when it comes to the damage humans cause.

Part 1: In what ways does Nature fight back against pollution?

Part 2: Why don't we just let Nature take care of itself instead of taking control of the pollution situation?

Part 3: What are the two critical facts that humans overlook when it comes to nature?

Essay Topic 2

The world that Carson describes in the beginning of "Silent Spring" is one that provokes several reactions from readers.

Part 1: Describe the first world that Carson envisions in the first chapter of the book.

Part 2: How does the world change as the description continues on?

Part 3: Why does Carson use this description in the beginning of the book?

Essay Topic 3

Pesticides are the main concern of Carson throughout this book, and with good reason.

Part 1: List some of the chemicals which Carson describes in detail in this book.

Part 2: Choose one chemical and describe the ways in which it is affecting the Earth, according to Carson.

Part 3: Why are pesticides so important to discuss in relation to the management of the environment?

(see the answer keys)

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