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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. The plants that have contributed to the shaping of human existence include all of the following except _______.

2. The book suggests that the Ottoman ideal of tulip beauty was elegant, sharp, and ________.

3. Appleseed had originally come west from the state of _____ when he was 23 years old.

4. The book states that certain flowers are reminiscent of Greek Gods. The rose and the peony are stated to be flowers of ______.

5. Pollan asserts that even though daffodils came early in the season, _______ is not a true color for a child.

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How does Pollan describe the particular patch of garden versus the plants one finds in nature?

3. What happens as a result of having perfect symmetry in a flower, according to Pollan's writing in the book?

4. What is the main reason why the apple is presented in a book about the idea of desire? How does the apple relate to desire?

5. What was the way in which the tulip was able to get ahead when it was a part of the Ottoman Empire?

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

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

8. Why does Pollan says that he thinks tulips really were flowers which were designed for children?

9. How did the tulip bulb end up coming into Holland, even though it was not a native plant in the area?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

This book, "The Botany of Desire," is generally listed as a Nature and Gardening book, though this does not seem to be its only application.

Part 1: Why do you think this book is labeled as being a Nature and Gardening book?

Part 2: Do you agree with the idea that this should be labeled as a Nature and Gardening book? What other labels might apply?

Part 3: How do you think the book's message is perceived by those who are merely reading for the Nature and Gardening aspect?

Essay Topic 2

Marijuana, though illegal, is tolerated in many parts of the world, including the United States.

Part 1: Why do you think marijuana is tolerated in so many parts of the world?

Part 2: Do you agree that marijuana should be tolerated in society?

Part 3: How do you think the marijuana plant can or cannot help society as a whole?

Essay Topic 3

The idea of beauty is one which is not easy to define, although Pollan notes that this is why tulips were so popular for a time.

Part 1: How do you define the idea of beauty? What does this mean to you?

Part 2: How do you define the idea of beauty in relation to the flowers of the world?

Part 3: Why do you think that the tulip was favored over so many other flowers in the world?

(see the answer keys)

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