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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. "Water Boatmen" frequently repeats what word?

2. What is another reason why this word is repeated in "Water Boatmen?"

3. With what are the pages of the whirligig beetle's poem covered?

4. How can people relate to the worker bee?

5. "Requiem" is a _______________.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the mood of "The Digger Wasp?" Why?

2. How is "Requiem" unlike any of the other poems? Why?

3. How could a person relate to a day in the life of the whirligig beetle?

4. How do "Whirligig Beetles" and "Requiem" compare?

5. What is "Requiem?"

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

7. Compare the different types of honeybees.

8. How is the artwork important, specifically to the whirligig beetle poem? Why?

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

10. Why might the digger wasp die before its young are born?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The setting of this book is each of the habitats of the insects described by the poet.

Part 1) Describe the habitats of four of the insects described in this book. How do these habitats compare? What do they have in common? How are they each unique?

Part 2) How are the actions, attitudes, and opinions of the insects connected to their habitats? How is each of the insects mentioned above suited for their environment?

Part 3) How important is an insect's environment, according to the poet? How does this affect your opinion of protecting the environment, stopping pollution, etc? How do some of the habitats show how insects have adapted to changes in the world around them? What does this say about these insects?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

There are many insect species described in this book.

Part 1) After reading these poems, to which species do you feel most connected? Why? How has this book changed your attitude toward this species? Why?

Part 2) Which species would you add, if you were the poet? Why? How might this species compare to those already included in this book?

Part 3) How do these species represent all insects? Are all types of insects adequately represented? If so, how? If not, why not?

(see the answer keys)

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