1: What observations did Rachel Carson make about her environment? Explain in detail.
-Rachel Carson vividly explains the possible outcome of our ecologically damaging actions, in
which plants wilt along the streets, animals die from disease, birds emigrate away, pollination ceases, and
animals seldom mate. Her observations resemble that of a wasteland.
2: How have chemicals changed the environment? What is DDT? What is it used for and what are the
consequences of its use?
-Chemicals have changed the environment by poisoning organisms, killing vegetation, absorbing
into the ground and rocks (which irradiates the area), and by poisoning water supplies. DDT is an
insecticide, used for insect control. DDT, however, comes with a consequence: insects treated with DDT
were found to become immune due to the process of natural selection.
3: Carson uses Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Less Traveled, as an analogy for making choices about our
future- what does she say about what we must do?
-Carson references Frost’s poem by stating that our situation is a “superhighway”, and that we
traverse with great speed. This trail, however, leads to ultimate disaster. Carson believes that we should
take the slower, more peaceful approach; the road less travelled (to preserve our environment by
refraining from using harmful chemicals that make our life “easier”).
4: This book was written in 1962 - have people heeded the warning about the toxins in our environment?
-Unfortunately, people have not heeded this warning, since industries continue to use harmful
business practices that damage the environment.
5: What is your opinion of the book excerpt? Explain.
-I agree with Carson on her “road less travelled” concept, and that an initial
sacrifice must be made in order to ensure beneficial and constant growth
in the future.
-Rachel Carson vividly explains the possible outcome of our ecologically damaging actions, in
which plants wilt along the streets, animals die from disease, birds emigrate away, pollination ceases, and
animals seldom mate. Her observations resemble that of a wasteland.
2: How have chemicals changed the environment? What is DDT? What is it used for and what are the
consequences of its use?
-Chemicals have changed the environment by poisoning organisms, killing vegetation, absorbing
into the ground and rocks (which irradiates the area), and by poisoning water supplies. DDT is an
insecticide, used for insect control. DDT, however, comes with a consequence: insects treated with DDT
were found to become immune due to the process of natural selection.
3: Carson uses Robert Frost’s poem, The Road Less Traveled, as an analogy for making choices about our
future- what does she say about what we must do?
-Carson references Frost’s poem by stating that our situation is a “superhighway”, and that we
traverse with great speed. This trail, however, leads to ultimate disaster. Carson believes that we should
take the slower, more peaceful approach; the road less travelled (to preserve our environment by
refraining from using harmful chemicals that make our life “easier”).
4: This book was written in 1962 - have people heeded the warning about the toxins in our environment?
-Unfortunately, people have not heeded this warning, since industries continue to use harmful
business practices that damage the environment.
5: What is your opinion of the book excerpt? Explain.
-I agree with Carson on her “road less travelled” concept, and that an initial
sacrifice must be made in order to ensure beneficial and constant growth
in the future.