The Last Mountain – video questions
Literal Questions:
1. Where does this documentary take place?
Name: ________________________________
Think About It Questions:
(answer these on the back of this page OR on a separate piece of paper)
1. When there is a claim of water contamination from mining, do you think the
2. How much electricity in the United States comes from coal?
burden of proof should be on the individual that makes the claim, or on the
3. What area of the US provides most of that coal?
corporation/industry that is being blamed? Why and how?
4. Is coal a renewable or nonrenewable energy source?
2. Comment on the differences between traditional coal mining and surface coal
5. What type of rock is coal?
mining (mountain-top removal). What are the advantages and disadvantages of
6. Describe (briefly) how coal is obtained.
each, and how do you think each affects the environment and the coal mine
workers (day-to-day)?
7. Do you think coal is a “Green” alternative to natural gas? Why or why not?
3. How do you think the vocabulary that people use can affect the way people
view things? Include some of the following examples: Environmental Extremists,
8. Please define or describe the following words or terms in your own words. In
each case, remember to search several difference sources, and look for
definitions/explanations that deal with coal mining.
Clean Water ActOverburdenSilicosis/Black Lung-
Mountain Top Removal/Surface Mining, Overburden, etc.
4. What responsibility does a coal company have to the community around it?
Why? What laws/ethics make you think this way?
5. Do you think civil disobedience is ever justified? Why and how? Support your
answer with historic and/or current examples.
6. Are public lands unconstitutional? Use specific evidence and/or precedents to
Reclamation-
support your answer.
Watershed-
7. One advantage of coal is that it provides cheap energy and an alternative to
dependence on foreign oil. If coal companies could only hire union workers, in
Labor Union-
what ways would this affect the cost of coal? Do you think coal would still be as
cheap? Why or why not?