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

2. What is the goal of Germany's Green Party?

3. The Industrial Revolution functions on the idea of brute force. What is meant by this phrase as used by the authors?

4. What has been the result of more and more efficient factories?

5. In what way are chemicals not harmful to human health?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Describe why many materials cannot be recycled into a product of equal quality as the original material.

3. Describe what causes "sick building syndrome" and name some of the associated health effects.

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

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

6. Describe the vision that both Bill and Michael have for the future of the environment.

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

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

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

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 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 2

Write an essay to explain what is meant by brute force in product design. Describe how this design practice is related to monoculture crops and the accumulation of toxic chemicals in the environment.

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 1,040 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample