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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. When does hot lava stop glowing red?

2. How does Sigurdur Steinthorsson monitor volcanic gases during the 1973 eruption?

3. When the author visits Vestmannaeyjar, what does he notice?

4. How are residents and livestock evacuated from Heimaey during the 1973 eruptions?

5. On January 23, 1973, the five thousand residents of Heimaey, the only populated island of Vestmannaeyjar, are threatened by what?

Short Essay Questions

1. Describe how workers are able to walk upon lava fields as they try to cool down the lava on Heimaey in 1973.

2. How old are the oldest parts of Hawaii and Iceland?

3. Describe how Thorbjorn Sigurgeirsson and Sveinn Eiriksson work together to fight against the lava that threatens Heimaey's town and harbor.

4. How do the working crews stop the large chunk of mountain from crashing into Heimaey's town and port?

5. Describe work crews' first attempts at cooling off the lava flows of Heimaey in 1973.

6. What is the "City Flow?"

7. Briefly describe Mauna Loa.

8. How is Heimaey's harbor altered after the eruptions and lava flows of 1973?

9. What role does Magnus Magnusson play during the 1973 volcanic eruptions in Heimaey?

10. How does the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration protect its sensitive, expensive equipment against damaging lava in Hawaii?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Part of the problem is that people settle into regions that are particularly hazardous: floodplains, active volcanic zones, and places prone to mountain landslides, brush fires, and earthquakes.

1. Using examples from the book, elaborate upon some of the reasons the author gives to explain why people settle in regions where natural forces are especially active, posing risks to the communities that develop there.

2. Is the author sympathetic or unsympathetic to man's plight in his efforts to control nature? Explain.

Essay Topic 2

Using one of the three main stories covered in the book, write about and expand upon the following concepts, supporting your ideas with plenty of examples:

1. The arrogance of people trying to control nature.

2. The compassion and concern of people trying to protect communities against forces of nature.

3. The humility of those who try to protect communities while realizing that nature is stronger.

Essay Topic 3

Based on what the author has described about each region, is it viable for residents to continue living there? Provide your answers for the following regions:

1. In Louisiana near the Atchafalaya and Mississippi rivers.

2. By the active volcanoes of Hawaii.

3. In the volcanic island of Heimaey off the coast of Iceland.

4. In the plains below the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California.

(see the answer keys)

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