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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. To what does Kolbert compare being hit by a jumping carp?

2. Why are Kolbert and Gates’ plans to meet cancelled?

3. To what is the land in the southern region of Louisiana compared?

4. Kolbert moves onto a visit to the Old River Control Auxiliary Structure located how many miles upriver of Baton Rouge?

5. What two drainage basins were linked with the reversal of the Chicago River and the creation of the Sanitary and Ship Canal?

Short Essay Questions

1. When do the majority of scientists believe the Anthropocene Age began?

2. What is the crime that was committed at Devils Hole?

3. What is William Lewis Manly's role in the discovery of Devils Hole?

4. Why was the Old River Control Auxiliary Structure created?

5. How is Kolbert inspired by Gates?

6. What is amazing about coral reefs?

7. What do most of the Australians Kolbert spoke to think about the future of the Great Barrier Reef?

8. How does Kolbert compare her stay at the Paris in Las Vegas to life for the pupfish in Devils Hole Jr.?

9. How did the indigenous people of the New Orleans area deal with flooding versus the first European settlers?

10. What is Van Oppen's relationship with her students?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What is the general tone of Kolbert's Under a White Sky? Why? How does this affect the reader? How might this impact a reader's attitude towards the environment and what is being done to preserve it?

Essay Topic 2

Kolbert says that clear signs of the Anthropocene age are increased radioactivity and rodents. In what ways does that show the influence of humans on the natural world? How has the world been negatively affected by this influence? How might this human influence also be considered a natural occurrence as it has been happening since mankind was first created? How might this support the idea that there is no absolutely natural world and that the world is full of genetically modified beings?

Essay Topic 3

And under a white sky into the wild chapter 3, Kolbert begins and ends the chapter talking about gods. What does she say about gods in this chapter? Of what does this inform the reader? How does this talk about gods affect the tone of the book? How secure does the reader feel about mankind in his abilities in relation to this talk of gods?

(see the answer keys)

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