- 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 political history of the United States
B) The biography of famous geologists
C) The evolution of dinosaur species
D) The geological history of North America
- 2. Which book in the series focuses on the geology of the Appalachian Mountains?
A) In Suspect Terrain
B) Rising from the Plains
C) Assembling California
D) Basin and Range
- 3. Which geologist is a central figure and guide throughout much of the narrative?
A) Charles Darwin
B) James Hutton
C) Charles Lyell
D) David Love
- 4. The book 'Rising from the Plains' is primarily set in which US state?
A) Montana
B) Wyoming
C) California
D) Colorado
- 5. What overarching concept does McPhee use to explain the continent's formation?
A) Extraterrestrial impact
B) Plate tectonics
C) Biblical creation
D) The Great Flood
- 6. What award did 'Annals of the Former World' win?
A) Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
B) Hugo Award
C) National Book Award
D) Man Booker Prize
- 7. In 'Assembling California', what is the primary geological story?
A) Accretion of terranes through plate tectonics
B) The San Andreas Fault's creation
C) Volcanic activity of the Cascades
D) Formation of gold deposits
- 8. What is the 'craton' referred to in the series?
A) A type of volcanic rock
B) A deep ocean trench
C) A fossilized dinosaur
D) The ancient, stable interior of the North American continent
- 9. What is the Iapetus Ocean?
A) A ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa
B) A prehistoric ocean that closed to form the Appalachians
C) The ancient name for the Pacific Ocean
D) The body of water that covered the Great Plains
- 10. The series was originally published as articles in which magazine?
A) The New Yorker
B) National Geographic
C) Time
D) Scientific American
- 11. The series is structured as a journey across America along which interstate highway?
A) Interstate 80
B) Route 66
C) The Pacific Coast Highway
D) Interstate 40
- 12. The San Andreas Fault is a key feature in which book?
A) Rising from the Plains
B) Assembling California
C) Basin and Range
D) In Suspect Terrain
- 13. What event does the Cretaceous-Tertiary (K-T) boundary represent?
A) The last ice age
B) The formation of the first continents
C) The mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs
D) The appearance of humans
- 14. McPhee's work is celebrated for making which field accessible to general readers?
A) Astrophysics
B) Economics
C) Geology
D) Molecular biology
- 15. What is the name of the first volume in the 'Annals of the Former World' series?
A) Rising from the Plains
B) Basin and Range
C) In Suspect Terrain
D) Assembling California
- 16. McPhee often travels with and interviews working:
A) Archaeologists
B) Geologists
C) Historians
D) Biologists
- 17. The book 'In Suspect Terrain' focuses on the geology of which region?
A) The Appalachian Mountains
B) The Rocky Mountains
C) The Great Plains
D) The Sierra Nevada
- 18. Which volume focuses on the geology of Wyoming?
A) In Suspect Terrain
B) Assembling California
C) Rising from the Plains
D) Basin and Range
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