1.  Define Catch-22.  Describe the Catch-22 authorities face in New Orleans (par. 2-3)

2.  How did the Army Corps of Engineers spokesman explain why they need the existing water pumps to drain the city. (para. 5)

3.  Why aren't the flood-control pumps working? (para. 6)

4.  Which definition best fits the word breach as used in the article?

• a failure to perform some promised act or obligation
• transgress: act in disregard of laws and rules; "offend all laws of humanity"
• an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)

How big is the breach in the floodwall along the 17th Street Canal?

5.  What are officials doing to repair the breach at 17th Street?

6.  Describe some of the additional problems the city could face even if they successfully patch the breaches. (para. 16-17)

7.  Search the following news links for photos and maps of the levee system in New Orleans.  Which has the best photos of the levees and the breaches?  Why do you think this is so?
WWLTV
FOXNews
MSNBC
CNN
a NY blogger (Scroll down)