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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. "Whirligig Beetles" describes ____________ of these beetles.

2. Why is the answer to number 90 repeated in the poem?

3. Will the digger wasp ever see its offspring?

4. What names are used to describe the water boatmen?

5. Why might the cause of death of these insects be surprising to humans?

Short Essay Questions

1. From whose perspective is "Honeybees?" Why?

2. What does "Water Boatmen" describe? Why?

3. How are cicadas like a choir?

4. How does the author use poetry and literary devices to teach about whirligig beetles?

5. How does this poem draw attention to nature and the life cycle of insects?

6. To what else could the water boatmen be compared? Why?

7. What is the mood of "Cicadas?" Why?

8. What is a literary device used in "Water Boatmen?" Explain how it is used.

9. How can the world of the honeybee be compared to your own world?

10. What is the purpose of "Cicadas?"

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The poet chooses to write a book about insects.

Part 1) What might be the poet's opinion of insects? How does this book reflect this?

Part 2) What might have been the poet's purpose for writing these poems? What other subjects might the poet be interested in? Why?

Part 3) If you were to write a book of poetry, about what would you write? Why? How might this affect those who would read your poems? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Mayflies live for only one day.

Part 1) How do they spend their day? Why might they do this? How do they feel about this one day? Are you surprised by this? Why or why not?

Part 2) How are many people like the mayfly? How can one relate to this creature whose life lasts only twenty-four hours?

Part 3) What is the lesson of this poem? What can the reader learn about how one should spend one's life, based on this poem? Why?

Essay Topic 3

Famous authors' names are mentioned in "Book Lice."

Part 1) How do these famous authors' names get mentioned in this poem? Why might the poet have decided to include these famous authors in this poem? Does this enhance the poem in any way? Why or why not?

Part 2) What information might be helpful prior to reading this poem? Why? How might this information effect one's ability to understand "Book Lice" and the differences between these two different lice?

Part 3) How important is it to learn about famous authors and artists? Explain. Would the author of this book agree with you? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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