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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 book states that the potato plant was stolen from the royal gardens of ______.

2. Johnny Appleseed was opposed to using _____ in order to grow trees and preferred planting seeds.

3. The opposite condition to the collective flower frenzy in which a person's depression keeps them from enjoying flowers is ______.

4. According to the book, the plants that form flowers and then encased seeds are known as ______.

5. The process of trying to impersonate other plants or animals in order to attract or repel is called ______.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What are the four important classes of domesticated plants which influenced the way in which Pollan chose the plants for the book?

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

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 does Johnny Appleseed not stay in Brilliant when the people ask him to do so?

7. What is the aim of Pollan's book in terms of how it talks about the relationship between Man and Nature?

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

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

10. What did the Ottoman Turks discover about the wild tulips they found during one of their trips?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

One might suggest that the idea that apples are shaping human existence is based on speculation as opposed to scientific study.

Part 1: Do you think that apples have affected the human race as a whole?

Part 2: How might a scientist study the sweetness and the effects of apples on humans?

Part 3: Is science the only way that a definitive answer can be discovered? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

While the Potato Famine was devastating, one could say it helped to shape modern day American society.

Part 1: Why do you think the Potato Famine changed the U.S. society and population?

Part 2: What might have happened if the Potato Famine had never occurred?

Part 3: Do you think the Potato Famine was necessary in order for the United States to become a success?

Essay Topic 3

Americans seem to have a clear idea as to what a 'normal' potato might look like.

Part 1: Why do you think Americans have been brought up to think of the potato in that one way?

Part 2: How do you feel about the potato? What do you think a potato should look and taste like?

Part 3: Do you feel the potato is an essential part of your diet? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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