Homework Questions

1. When Silent Spring first came out, Carson faced fierce opposition. Why, according to Al Gore, would people try to refute her research, and how did they try to do it?
2. Contrast Rachel Carson and Al Gore's view of humans' relationship with nature with the views of Carson's opponents. With whom do you agree and to what degree?
3. Using specific passages for support, explain what Al Gore thinks of the impact that Carson's book had on the world.
4. What did you learn about pesticide use, politics, and food growth from reading Gore's introduction?
5. How do Carson's actions make her a good citizen in our democracy?
6. What did this lesson teach you about the power of writing?
7. Obviously the issues that Carson raised in Silent Spring have not gone away. What do you feel you can do as a citizen to become part of a solution to these problems?