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Questions and Answers
How deep was the greatest depth of the pond?
What did the factory-owner doubt regarding the depth of the pond?
What did William Gilpin describe as ''a bay of salt water, sixty or seventy fathoms deep''?
What is the author thankful for regarding the pond?
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How does the author describe most ponds when emptied?
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What must an inquisitive eye possess to detect the shores of a primitive lake according to the text?
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What method did the writer use to survey the bottom of Walden Pond?
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What misconception did some people have about the depth of Walden Pond?
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Why did some individuals see vast holes when looking down through the ice of Walden Pond?
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What equipment did some villagers bring in an attempt to find the bottom of Walden Pond?
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What does the writer affirm about Walden Pond in terms of its bottom?
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Why did some fail to find the bottom of Walden Pond despite using a long rope?
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Study Notes
Measuring Walden Pond
- The author surveyed Walden Pond in 1846 to determine its depth.
- Many people believed the pond was bottomless, but the author proved this false.
Survey Method
- The author used a compass, chain, and sounding line to measure the pond's depth.
- A cod-line and a stone weighing 1.5 pounds were used to accurately measure the depth.
Pond Depth
- The greatest depth of Walden Pond is 102 feet, which increased to 107 feet over time.
- This is a remarkable depth for a pond of its size.
Comparing Ponds
- Many ponds are not as deep as people suppose, and if drained, would not leave significant valleys.
- Ponds are not like cups between hills, but rather shallow plates.
Geology and Landscapes
- William Gilpin's description of Loch Fyne in Scotland is mentioned as an example of a deep lake.
- If Walden Pond were applied to Loch Fyne's proportions, it would appear four times shallower.
Insights
- Many seemingly ordinary valleys may have originated from drained lakes, as revealed by geological insight.
- The author suggests that unsuspecting inhabitants may be unaware of their surroundings' geological history.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Walden Pond and its bottomless tales with this quiz based on a literary passage describing the author's survey of the pond. Explore themes of nature, perception, and human beliefs.
