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

Short Answer Questions

1. What typically happens when materials are downcycled?

2. Why are pesticides and herbicides commonly used on crops?

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

4. What do the authors claim is flawed about architecture made with the International Style?

5. Which phrase describes the authors' view on efficiency?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What do the authors mean by "crude product"? Also, give an example.

3. Explain one example of how recycling is really downcycling of materials.

4. Explain what the authors mean by "brute force."

5. Describe one of Bill and Michael's ideas for completely positive design.

6. Explain how recycling is really downcycling.

7. Explain how you could be breathing benzene fumes from your treadmill even though benzene is forbidden for use in rubber products in the United States.

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

9. Describe the arguments against the Industrial Revolution throughout its history.

10. Describe why the authors warn against too much efficiency in design.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Compare and contrast the ideas of "less-bad" design and "completely positive" design. How does each idea affect the environment, industry, and consumers? What is the philosophy behind each design idea? What is the goal of each idea? What materials should be involved in the designs for each idea?

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the design concepts behind "one size fits all" and designing for "local use." How does each concept use energy and resources? What are the costs and benefits to each concept? Give some examples of product designs for each design concept.

Essay Topic 3

Define the word "downcycling." Then, explain how our concept of recycling is really downcycling. Finally, describe the effects that downcycling has on the environment and consumers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,032 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample