- 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 geological history of North America
C) The biography of famous geologists
D) The evolution of dinosaur species
- 2. Which book in the series focuses on the geology of the Appalachian Mountains?
A) Assembling California
B) Basin and Range
C) In Suspect Terrain
D) Rising from the Plains
- 3. Which geologist is a central figure and guide throughout much of the narrative?
A) James Hutton
B) Charles Darwin
C) David Love
D) Charles Lyell
- 4. The book 'Rising from the Plains' is primarily set in which US state?
A) Wyoming
B) Colorado
C) Montana
D) California
- 5. What overarching concept does McPhee use to explain the continent's formation?
A) Extraterrestrial impact
B) Biblical creation
C) The Great Flood
D) Plate tectonics
- 6. What award did 'Annals of the Former World' win?
A) Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction
B) Man Booker Prize
C) National Book Award
D) Hugo Award
- 7. In 'Assembling California', what is the primary geological story?
A) Accretion of terranes through plate tectonics
B) Volcanic activity of the Cascades
C) Formation of gold deposits
D) The San Andreas Fault's creation
- 8. What is the 'craton' referred to in the series?
A) A type of volcanic rock
B) A fossilized dinosaur
C) A deep ocean trench
D) The ancient, stable interior of the North American continent
- 9. What is the Iapetus Ocean?
A) A prehistoric ocean that closed to form the Appalachians
B) The body of water that covered the Great Plains
C) The ancient name for the Pacific Ocean
D) A ocean on Jupiter's moon Europa
- 10. The series was originally published as articles in which magazine?
A) The New Yorker
B) Time
C) National Geographic
D) Scientific American
- 11. The series is structured as a journey across America along which interstate highway?
A) Route 66
B) Interstate 40
C) The Pacific Coast Highway
D) Interstate 80
- 12. The San Andreas Fault is a key feature in which book?
A) Assembling California
B) Basin and Range
C) Rising from the Plains
D) In Suspect Terrain
- 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) Molecular biology
C) Astrophysics
D) Economics
- 15. What is the name of the first volume in the 'Annals of the Former World' series?
A) Basin and Range
B) Assembling California
C) In Suspect Terrain
D) Rising from the Plains
- 16. McPhee often travels with and interviews working:
A) Archaeologists
B) Historians
C) Biologists
D) Geologists
- 17. The book 'In Suspect Terrain' focuses on the geology of which region?
A) The Sierra Nevada
B) The Rocky Mountains
C) The Appalachian Mountains
D) The Great Plains
- 18. Which volume focuses on the geology of Wyoming?
A) Basin and Range
B) In Suspect Terrain
C) Rising from the Plains
D) Assembling California
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