Rachel Carson — Questions and answers

Read the full story

According to Rachel Carson, what was a big problem with pesticides like DDT?

Choices

  1. They only worked on a few types of pests.
  2. They were too difficult for farmers to apply.
  3. They didn't just target pests but spread throughout entire ecosystems. ✓
  4. They made crops grow too quickly and become unhealthy.

Answer: They didn't just target pests but spread throughout entire ecosystems.

From page 2

How did Rachel Carson make sure her research for Silent Spring was strong and accurate?

Choices

  1. She made up stories to prove her point.
  2. She only talked to her friends and family.
  3. She read many scientific papers, government reports, and talked to many different experts. ✓
  4. She guessed what was happening without looking at evidence.

Answer: She read many scientific papers, government reports, and talked to many different experts.

From page 5

How did the chemical industry react to Rachel Carson's book, Silent Spring?

Choices

  1. They immediately agreed with her and changed their ways.
  2. They praised her for her careful research.
  3. They attacked her personally and spent a lot of money to make her science seem wrong. ✓
  4. They offered to help her write more books about nature.

Answer: They attacked her personally and spent a lot of money to make her science seem wrong.

From page 6

How did the public respond to Rachel Carson's book and its message?

Choices

  1. They found it too complicated and ignored it.
  2. They wrote letters to politicians and formed groups to demand changes. ✓
  3. They stopped reading books about science altogether.
  4. They thought she was just trying to create fear without a good reason.

Answer: They wrote letters to politicians and formed groups to demand changes.

From page 7

What important government agency was created in 1970 because of the public's concern sparked by Silent Spring?

Choices

  1. The National Park Service
  2. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ✓
  3. The Department of Agriculture
  4. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Answer: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

From page 8

What big idea did Rachel Carson's book help people understand about nature?

Choices

  1. That all chemicals are bad and should never be used.
  2. That nature can take care of itself and doesn't need human help.
  3. That all living things are connected and human actions can deeply affect the Earth's health. ✓
  4. That only scientists can truly understand how nature works.

Answer: That all living things are connected and human actions can deeply affect the Earth's health.

From page 9

What important lesson did Rachel Carson teach us about the natural world?

Choices

  1. That we should never question what big companies tell us.
  2. That the web of life is so strong it doesn't need our help.
  3. That the intricate web of life is fragile, and we must take good care of it. ✓
  4. That our actions don't really affect the planet very much.

Answer: That the intricate web of life is fragile, and we must take good care of it.

From page 10