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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 two parts relate to the whirligig beetle?

2. How does "Requiem" end?

3. What else does the digger wasp prepare for its children?

4. How are people like the digger wasp?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How are cicadas like a choir?

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

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

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

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

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

8. Compare the different types of honeybees.

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

10. Describe the whirligig beetle, based on this poem.

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

Essay Topic 2

This book of poetry is for children.

Part 1) Why might the poet have written this book for children? How do you know that this is a book for children? Is this a good book of poems for children? Why or why not?

Part 2) Might adults also enjoy reading this book? Why or why not? How might an adult's view of this book compare to the view of a child? How might it be the same? How might an adult's view be different?

Part 3) How might this book influence your view of the world around you into adulthood? How might reading books such as this one influence children as they grow older? How might our world be affected by this?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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