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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. In 1928, Congress enacts the Flood Control Act to start what?
(a) Mississippi River and Tributaries Project.
(b) Old and New Rivers Effort.
(c) Rivers, Tributaries, and Levees Effort.
(d) Atchafalaya River and Levees Project.

2. 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) An enormous hole larger and deeper than a football stadium.
(c) The partial collapse of one of the pylons.
(d) Treacherous new rip currents.

3. 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) A hurricane is headed his way.
(b) A freak tidal wave is coming towards the structure.
(c) The two-hundred thousand ton structure is vibrating.
(d) An intense lightning storm develops over the area.

4. On General Sand's floating conference boat, Oliver Houck is the only board member who is active in what?
(a) Environmental movement.
(b) Taking the census.
(c) Cancelling the Old River project.
(d) Local political life.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. By 1812, the east bank of the Mississippi River is levied up to which city?

2. While aboard the Mississippi on his annual trip, General Sands tries to:

3. A navigation lock on the bank of the Mississippi River lowers ships down to where?

4. Henry Shreve changes the Mississippi River by introducing what?

5. In 1973, what happens to the Old River Control structure despite engineers drilling it and filling it with cement?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe some of the challenges New Orleans faces because of its geographical location.

2. What are some of the predominant problems in the regions populated near the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers?

3. Explain how the Mississippi River forms Louisiana over many centuries.

4. What is the Old River Control project developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers?

5. Describe what McPhee writes about Morgan City, Louisiana.

6. Who is Henry Shreve, and what does he do?

7. What is Major General Sands' concluding thoughts regarding the Old River Control Structure?

8. What are some of the main points the author tries to make through this work of historical nonfiction?

9. Name some of the companies and industries that are attracted to the regions in and around Baton Rouge and New Orleans as these communities develop.

10. What is the goal of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with regards to the Atchafalya and Mississippi rivers?

(see the answer keys)

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