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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. When the author recalls his first time in the Atchafalaya swamps with Charles Fryling in 1980, what does he fondly remember?
(a) Seeing lightning bugs for the first time.
(b) Floating among trees under silently flying birds.
(c) His first encounter with a baby alligator.
(d) The water rushing through locks and gates.

2. The author mentions that when he met Rabalais, he wore what in his pocket?
(a) Gold pocket watch.
(b) Silver pocket watch.
(c) Red bandana.
(d) Checkered bandana.

3. During high spring waters, what danger forms unseen beneath turbulent waters at the outflow to the Atchafalaya?
(a) A crack in a gate of the control structure.
(b) Treacherous new rip currents.
(c) The partial collapse of one of the pylons.
(d) An enormous hole larger and deeper than a football stadium.

4. Who is Raphael G. Kazmann?
(a) Author of Modern Thermodynamics.
(b) Developer of tripod pilings.
(c) Author of Modern Hydrology.
(d) Developer of electromagnetic therapy.

5. Norris F. Rabalais was born and raised in what Louisiana parish?
(a) Evangeline.
(b) Concordia.
(c) West Feliciana.
(d) Avoyelles.

6. After the U.S. Army Corps takes control of the Atchafalaya, Old Cajun bayou life is:
(a) Diminished.
(b) Lost.
(c) Enriched.
(d) Renewed.

7. What does the 1927 flood in Louisiana teach officials about levees?
(a) More need to be constructed faster.
(b) They make the flooding problem worse.
(c) They work beautifully.
(d) They need to be built taller.

8. By 1812, the east bank of the Mississippi River is levied up to which city?
(a) Lake Charles.
(b) Baton Rouge.
(c) Shreveport.
(d) Alexandria.

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

10. What is a weir?
(a) Small dam.
(b) Small tugboat.
(c) Large lock.
(d) Large gate.

11. In feet, how long is the towboat Mississippi?
(a) 217.
(b) 23.
(c) 459.
(d) 42.

12. In the spring of 1973, what does the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers do to try to alleviate the tremendous force of water against the control structure?
(a) Dam up water north of the structure.
(b) Purposely flood the entire region.
(c) Dig a ditch to re-route the water.
(d) Open up all eleven gates.

13. A towboat is designed to:
(a) Pull barges.
(b) Pull large cargo ships.
(c) Push barges.
(d) Push large cargo ships.

14. 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) Drought conditions.
(b) Concrete seawalls.
(c) Extended, raised levees.
(d) Prosperous economic boom.

15. The author retells the time when Raphael G. Kazmann walks out onto the five hundred and sixty-six foot structure over the Old River but leaves quickly because:
(a) An intense lightning storm develops over the area.
(b) The two-hundred thousand ton structure is vibrating.
(c) A freak tidal wave is coming towards the structure.
(d) A hurricane is headed his way.

Short Answer Questions

1. In the mid-1800s, the United States Congress passes a Swamp and Overflow Land Act to:

2. Every thousand years or so, the Mississippi River goes through a major shift that leaves behind what?

3. Over a number of centuries, how does the Mississippi River form the state of Louisiana?

4. What are residents of French Acadia called?

5. Congress mandates that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers survey the Mississippi and tributaries in order to assure and improve what?

(see the answer keys)

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