- 1. The 'Annals of the Former World' by John McPhee is a monumental work that weaves together geology, history, and personal narrative to create a vibrant portrait of the geological evolution of North America. Through a series of interlinked essays, McPhee takes readers on a journey across the diverse landscapes of the continent, from the ancient rocks of the Appalachian Mountains to the more recent formations of the Rocky Mountains. His meticulous research and eloquent prose illuminate not only the physical processes that shaped the Earth but also the human stories behind the exploration and understanding of these natural wonders. McPhee's conversational style engages readers, making complex scientific concepts accessible and fascinating, while his deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of nature and time encourages us to reflect on our own place in the world. This Pulitzer Prize-winning work stands as a testament to McPhee's mastery as a writer and his ability to bridge the gap between science and literature, leaving readers with a profound appreciation for the geological history that underpins our everyday lives.
What is the primary subject of 'Annals of the Former World' by John McPhee?
A) The geological history of North America
B) The biography of famous geologists
C) The political history of the United States
D) The evolution of dinosaur species
- 2. Which book in the series focuses on the geology of the Appalachian Mountains?
A) In Suspect Terrain
B) Assembling California
C) Basin and Range
D) Rising from the Plains
- 3. Which geologist is a central figure and guide throughout much of the narrative?
A) David Love
B) James Hutton
C) Charles Lyell
D) Charles Darwin
- 4. The book 'Rising from the Plains' is primarily set in which US state?
A) Montana
B) California
C) Colorado
D) Wyoming
- 5. What overarching concept does McPhee use to explain the continent's formation?
A) The Great Flood
B) Plate tectonics
C) Extraterrestrial impact
D) Biblical creation
- 6. What award did 'Annals of the Former World' win?
A) National Book Award
B) Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
C) Hugo Award
D) Man Booker Prize
- 7. In 'Assembling California', what is the primary geological story?
A) Volcanic activity of the Cascades
B) Accretion of terranes through plate tectonics
C) Formation of gold deposits
D) The San Andreas Fault's creation
- 8. What is the 'craton' referred to in the series?
A) A deep ocean trench
B) The ancient, stable interior of the North American continent
C) A type of volcanic rock
D) A fossilized dinosaur
- 9. What is the Iapetus Ocean?
A) A prehistoric ocean that closed to form the Appalachians
B) A ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa
C) The body of water that covered the Great Plains
D) The ancient name for the Pacific Ocean
- 10. The series was originally published as articles in which magazine?
A) The New Yorker
B) Scientific American
C) National Geographic
D) Time
- 11. The series is structured as a journey across America along which interstate highway?
A) The Pacific Coast Highway
B) Interstate 40
C) Route 66
D) Interstate 80
- 12. The San Andreas Fault is a key feature in which book?
A) In Suspect Terrain
B) Rising from the Plains
C) Basin and Range
D) Assembling California
- 13. What event does the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary represent?
A) The last ice age
B) The mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs
C) The formation of the first continents
D) The appearance of humans
- 14. McPhee's work is celebrated for making which field accessible to general readers?
A) Geology
B) Economics
C) Astrophysics
D) Molecular biology
- 15. What is the name of the first volume in the 'Annals of the Former World' series?
A) Basin and Range
B) Rising from the Plains
C) In Suspect Terrain
D) Assembling California
- 16. McPhee often travels with and interviews working:
A) Archaeologists
B) Historians
C) Geologists
D) Biologists
- 17. The book 'In Suspect Terrain' focuses on the geology of which region?
A) The Rocky Mountains
B) The Great Plains
C) The Appalachian Mountains
D) The Sierra Nevada
- 18. Which volume focuses on the geology of Wyoming?
A) Rising from the Plains
B) In Suspect Terrain
C) Basin and Range
D) Assembling California
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