View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When can PVC, a commonly used plastic in children's playground equipment, be toxic?

2. What is a potential problem associated with pesticide and herbicide use?

3. What is the authors' point for why import laws need to be changed?

4. What does Michael chose for a professional career?

5. Why is goat hair a good material for the Bedouin tents?

Short Essay Questions

1. Explain how recycling is really downcycling.

2. Describe how the authors use soap as an example of designing products for "worst-case" scenarios.

3. Explain and give an example of how the Industrial Revolution intended to make more and more money.

4. What do the authors suggest for a solution to more efficient home designs, as opposed to the International Style of architecture?

5. List three examples of how a focus on efficiency in design can have negative consequences.

6. Describe how Michael ends up working for the German Environmental Protection Agency.

7. Explain how recycling is problematic and a poor solution to positive design.

8. Explain why the authors say that eco-efficiency is not possible.

9. Compare the ideas of less-bad and completely positive design.

10. Describe Bill's experience in Jordan as a student and what he is inspired by.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you agree or disagree with the authors' opinion on basing designs on nature and tailoring designs to specific locations? Why or why not? Do you think that industry, business, consumers, workers, and the environment will all benefit equally from designs based on nature? Explain your reasoning.

Essay Topic 2

Write a three-part essay to explain how housing designs can be improved to be more eco-effective.

Part 1. Describe examples from around the world that show how homes can be cooled and insulated with little or no energy consumption.

Part 2. Describe the suggestions that the authors explain for insulation, heating, and cooling designs.

Part 3. Explain how roof tops can be improved to be better insulators and reduce energy needs in the home.

Essay Topic 3

Write a three-part essay to summarize the experience and early inspiration for each of the authors.

Part 1. Describe the childhood and education of each author.

Part 2. Explain the significant event in each author's early career that became his inspiration to create positive designs.

Part 3. Describe how the authors meet their goals in creating their new company.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,025 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample