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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. Johnny Appleseed was known for introducing the apple to the following states except _____.

2. The book suggests that colors and symmetries are elemental principles of ______.

3. Apples were the only avenue early settlers had for obtaining ______, which the Native Americans obtained from Maples.

4. The apple does not breed simply from seed. Thus all trees that produce the same type of apples are _______ of the original tree.

5. One winter, Appleseed set up a house in a _______ outside Defiance, Ohio where he operated a pair of nurseries.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the origin of the domesticated apple, although this is certainly a point which is up for contention?

2. What is connection between the plants in the book and their impact on the human society and vice-versa?

3. What is the classic example of coevolution that Pollan presents at the start of the book?

4. What does Pollan say about colors that are seen by children, as opposed to colors seen by adults?

5. What happens when a person cuts an apple at its equator with a sharp knife?

6. What happens when a person plants the seed of an apple tree into the ground? Will the resulting tree produce the same apples?

7. What does Pollan have to say about his tendency to speculate and about the connection between flowers and speculation?

8. Why might it be possible to say that the plants are more evolved than humans are at this point in time?

9. Why did Pollan plant tulip bulbs when he was a child, according to his own reflections?

10. Who is John Chapman and what is his importance in the course of the history of the apply?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Genetic variability is thought to be the key to the apple's future, even though it is not widely discussed in social circles.

Part 1: How might you define the idea of genetic variability?

Part 2: Why do you think genetic variability is important to the survival of the apple?

Part 3: Is genetic variability important to the survival of man? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 2

The apple is somewhat mythic, showing up in the Bible as well as in a number of other stories and media sources.

Part 1: Why is the apple such a desirable fruit in the stories?

Part 2: Do you think another fruit might have been suitable in the story of Adam and Eve? Which fruit?

Part 3: How do you think the apple's appeal might have changed had it not been used in stories and myths?

Essay Topic 3

At one point, Pollan points out that the tulip offers no nutritional value, while the fruit and the seeds provide sustenance.

Part 1: Why do you think Pollan included such a contradiction in this book?

Part 2: Do you think that Pollan's contradiction causes his book to be less valuable to a reader?

Part 3: Do you think it's possible to create a book without contradicting one's self?

(see the answer keys)

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