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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Los Angeles Against the Mountains.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In the mountains of Southern California, brush fires ignite by:
(a) Accident, arson, or lightning.
(b) Accident or spontaneous combustion.
(c) Spontaneous combustion.
(d) Arson or high temperatures.

2. After being hosed down, how long does it take for red-hot lava to turn black?
(a) Two and a half weeks.
(b) A month and a half.
(c) Hours to days.
(d) Four weeks.

3. A navigation lock on the bank of the Mississippi River lowers ships down to where?
(a) Atlantic Ocean.
(b) Red River.
(c) Atchafalaya River.
(d) Gulf of Mexico.

4. During the fifty years between New Orleans' floods of 1735 and 1785, what does the author say brings a false sense of security against flooding?
(a) Prosperous economic boom.
(b) Extended, raised levees.
(c) Drought conditions.
(d) Concrete seawalls.

5. How many people live on the Los Angeles County coastal plain below the San Gabriel Mountains?
(a) Eight million.
(b) Half a million.
(c) Two million.
(d) Fifteen million.

Short Answer Questions

1. The oldest parts of Iceland are how old?

2. Two primary factors that contribute to debris flows are broken-up rock and:

3. At one point, Rabalais drives the author first to the Mississippi River and then to the Atchafalaya River, showing him that the Mississippi is 18 feet above sea level while the Atchafalaya is how many feet above sea level?

4. Why do residents of Heimaey hose down oncoming lava?

5. What is Thorbjorn Sigurgeirsson's idea to stop the flow of lava?

(see the answer key)

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