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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 before flowers there was no connection between the way things looked and ______.

2. Since Appleseed raised his trees from seed, most of the fruit was not suitable for _______.

3. The book compares tulips in fields to ______ or lipsticks, merely flashes of bright color on the horizon.

4. The book suggests that Herbert's view of tulipmania is a parable of utopianism, specifically _______.

5. Probably as a defense to discourage animals from biting into them, apple seeds contain a small amount of _______.

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What is the possible coincidence that Pollan points out between the flowers and their ability to arouse desire in bees?

4. Pollan points out there may or may not be a correlation between the beautiful and the good. What does he think there is probably a correlation between?

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

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

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

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

9. 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?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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?

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

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?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 773 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample