Honors English Mid-term Study Guide :)

THE PASSAGE: Conquering the Mighty Colorado River

(1) Hoover Dam, sometimes referred to as Boulder Dam, was constructed between 1931 and 1935 to harness the waters of the wild Colorado River. (2) The dam was a challenging task for even the most experienced professionals. (3) Many have called Hoover Dam a wonder of the modern world because of its unprecedented massive size and its designers' ingenuity in overcoming obstacles that were considered impossible barriers at the time (Stevens). (4) Hoover Dam is 726.4 feet high, more than twice the height of the highest dam built before it. (5) It is 1,244 feet across the top and 660 feet thick at the bottom. (6) It weighs 6.6 million tons and contains more than 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete ("Hoover Dam"). (7) Hoover Dam set the precedent for modern dam-building technology, though there are higher and more massive dams today. (8) The engineers who designed Hoover Dam came up with ingenious solutions to the problems of building such a massive concrete structure. (9) For example, they first had to figure out how to force the river to flow around the construction site. (10) To solve this problem they built four huge diversion tunnels to take the water through the canyon walls while they were building the dam. (11) Another seemingly insurmountable problem was that the concrete would have taken over a century to cool completely if it had been poured in one huge form. (12) To overcome this, the engineers came up with a building-block system and a network of cooling tubes to speed the process. (13) Engineers also invented a complex system of cables and pulleys to transport materials and workers up and down the sides of the canyon and across the face of the dam. (14) These and other innovations are reasons why Hoover Dam still stands as a monument to human ingenuity ("Hoover Dam"). (15) Along with being massive and ingenious

Answer Key

A C B C B C C D B C D B C A A

Which of the following would be the BEST thought-provoking idea to conclude the paper? A. During the 1930s, no one thought the Hoover Dam could be built. What "impossible" task will we accomplish next? B. hope to be able to visit the Hoover Dam in person some day. C. What do you think makes the Hoover Dam such an enduring symbol of human ingenuity? D. Think about this- what if the Hoover Dam had never been built?

A. During the 1930s, no one thought the Hoover Dam could be built. What "impossible" task will we accomplish next?

Which of the following would BEST and most appropriately draw the readers in if inserted before sentence 1? a. It was bigger than the Statue of Liberty. b. How was Hoover Dam built? That is what this paper is going to explain c. People told many stories about building Hoover Dam, and most of them can be proved true. d. Did you know that Hoover Dam was named after President Herbert Hoover?

A. It was bigger than the Statue of Liberty.

Which, if any, change should be made to Works Cited? A. Use alphabetical order. B. Underline book titles. C. Delete the Web site addresses. D. Leave as is

A.Use alphabetical order.

What is the BEST way to revise sentence 23 to add variety to sentence beginnings? A. The men worked in three shifts, around the clock, and because work never stopped, the job was completed on time. B. Because work never stopped on the dam- the men worked in three shifts, around the clock--the job was completed on time. C. The job was completed on time because work never stopped- the men worked in three shifts, around the clock. D. The men completed the job on time by working in three shifts, around the clock, so work never stopped.

B. Because work never stopped on the dam- the men worked in three shifts, around the clock--the job was completed on time.

What is the BEST way to summarize the main points of the paper for the conclusion? A. Hoover Dam was the most amazing engineering accomplishment of its time. B. Hoover Dam was an amazing accomplishment because of its size, the speed of its construction, and the impact it had on life in the Southwest. C. Anyone who sees Hoover Dam in person can't help but be awed by its size and its strength. D. President Hoover would be so proud to see the dam today, still holding back the mighty Colorado and providing power to the desert.

B. Hoover Dam was an amazing accomplishment because of its size, the speed of its construction, and the impact it had on life in the Southwest

Which is the BEST thesis statement to add to the introduction? A. The Hoover Dam is so large it attracts tourists from all over the world. B. The dam was the most significant engineering feat of its time and changed life in the Southwest. C. Workers were eager to participate in the construction of the dam because jobs were hard to get during the Great Depression. D. Engineers had to work nonstop in order to create a large dam so quickly.

B. The dam was the most significant engineering feat of its time and changed life in the Southwest.

Refer to Sean's research question to determine which of the following topics would be the BEST additional main idea. A. how the Hoover Dam was named by government leaders B. explanation of the job of "highscalers," who worked suspended from high canyon walls. C. the political process of getting the dam project approved and funded D. the artworks that enhance the appearance of the dam and the visitors' center

B. explanation of the job of "highscalers," who worked suspended from high canyon walls

Which sentence represents the BEST elaboration to insert after sentence 6? A. It makes one feel tiny to stand at the base of the dam. B. Hoover Dam attracts thousands of tourists every year, generating millions of dollars for the state of Nevada. C. In fact, it was the first single structure to contain more masonry than the Great Pyramid at Giza. D. However, the Grand Coulee Dam in Washington dwarfs the Hoover Dam with its sheer mass.

C. In fact, it was the first single structure to contain more masonry than the Great Pyramid at Giza.

Which sentence, if added after sentence 2, would give readers the BEST overview of the research and main ideas? a. It was the biggest thing anyone had ever seen, and Americans were thrilled to have built it. b. It was more expensive than any other public project that had ever been built before in the United States, but cost was beside the point where Hoover Dam was concerned. c. It was constructed in a surprisingly short period of time under harsh conditions; and it tamed the mighty Colorado. d. Many new devices had to be invented to achieve its construction, such as the drilling jumbo and a cooling system to harden the concrete

C. It was constructed in a surprisingly short period of time under harsh conditions; and it tamed the mighty Colorado.

Which of the following would be the BEST elaboration to insert after sentence 25? A. Many people missed the uncontrolled and unpredictable nature of the Colorado River. B. Lake Mead became a popular fishing spot for local sports enthusiasts C. Moreover, the residents and farmers of the valleys would no longer have to fear river floods. D. Energy from the Hoover Dam supplied weapons factories during World War II.

C. Moreover, the residents and farmers of the valleys would no longer have to fear river floods.

Which sentence should be deleted because it does not directly support the point of the fourth paragraph? A. sentence l7 B. sentence 18 C. sentence 22 D. sentence 24

C. Sentence 22

Which is the BEST revision of sentence 7 to provide variety and prevent it from being too similar to the structure of the other sentences in the paragraph? A.It is no longer the country's highest or most massive dam, but Hoover Dam set the precedent for modern dam-building technology. B. There are higher and more massive dams today, but Hoover Dam set the precedent for modern dam-building technology. C. Though there are higher and more massive dams today, Hoover Dam set the precedent for modern dam-building technology. D. Leave as is.

C. Though there are higher and more massive dams today, Hoover Dam set the precedent for modern dam-building technology.

Which addition at the end of sentence 28 would BEST restate the thesis? A. by using brute force and determination to win at any cost. B. through sheer determination and hard work C. by engineering ingenious structures that provide greater quality of life. D. while employing thousands of workers.

C. by engineering ingenious structures that provide greater quality of life.

What summary might BEST replace the long quotation in the fourth paragraph? A. It was extremely hot. B. The men were proud to be working on the dam, even during the summer of 1931. C. The men wanted hats and ice water to help them endure the heat. D. Temperatures soared in the summer of 1931, and many men became severely ill

D. Temperatures soared in the summer of 1931, and many men became severely ill

Where does Sean MOST need to insert a parenthetical citation? A. after sentence 24 B. after sentence 26 C. at the end of the fourth paragraph D. after the long quotation in the last paragraph

D. after the long quotation in the last paragraph