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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. How do the mayflies spend their time?

2. After the results of the water strider's attempts to teach others to walk on water, why might the water striders want to continue "teaching" others to walk on water?

3. According to this poem, why is the moth drawn to the light?

4. The water strider's ability to walk on water hints at what?

5. "Mayflies" describes the _________ life of the mayfly

Short Essay Questions

1. To what can the water strider's ability to walk on water be compared? Why?

2. How does the mayfly's perception of time compare to our own?

3. How are these lice like people?

4. What is the purpose of "Book Lice?"

5. If you were to write a poem, what would it be about? Why?

6. What might be the real purpose for a firefly's light? Why do you think this?

7. What feelings are evoked by the grasshoppers? Why?

8. Why might the poet write a book about insects? Why did he choose to write about insects using poetry?

9. What story does "Moth's Serenade" tell? What does this explain about moths?

10. What mood is created by the behavior of the water striders? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The insects described in this book have varying personalities and characteristics.

Part 1) Which species seem to be the most like humans, based on these poems? How are they like humans?

Part 2) Why has the poet portrayed them in this way? How might this affect one's view of this species?

Part 3) Why does the poet choose to use personification in this book? What other literary devices are used? Why are they used?

Essay Topic 2

The different species' personalities are as different as people.

Part 1) Which insect species is most like you? How is this species like you? How does this affect your opinion of this species?

Part 2) How might your opinion of this species change your view of them the next time you see them? Why?

Part 3) How can you use this book to help you better understand other creatures, such as mammals and reptiles?

Essay Topic 3

Some of the insects' actions are described.

Part 1) What poems focus on action? Whose action is the focus? Why is this the focus? What does this reveal about this insect?

Part 2) How do the other poems contrast these very active poems? Why does this contrast exist? What does this reveal about the insects?

Part 3) How is action connected to the mood of the poem? How important is the mood of the poem? Explain. Is the mood of a story important to every story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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