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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 form flowers and encased seeds began to emerge on the earth during the _______ period.

2. Johnny Appleseed was known to use a _________ in order to transport his seeds across the water.

3. Chapman was known to go _______ in all kinds of weather and took it as a matter of pride in his toughness.

4. The book states that the presence of flowers is a reliable predictor of future _____ and therefore was important to humans in the past.

5. Chapman is known to have floated one hundred miles down the Allegheny river on _______, fast asleep.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the ways in which flowers have been created to attract the attention of humans, according to Pollan?

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

3. What does the presence of flowers tend to tell a person about the area in which they are walking or traveling?

4. What is the question which arises in Pollan's mind when he thinks about planting and growing the potatoes?

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

6. What are some of the effects of the chemicals within plants which begin the argument that plants might be designed to change humans?

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

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

10. 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?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

The section on apples seems to be more of a memoir of the life of the apple than a serious scientific study of its origins.

Part 1: Why do you think that Pollan chose the apple over other fruits?

Part 2: How do you think the apple has changed your own life? Can it be more revolutionary in the future for you?

Part 3: Have any fruits changed or reshaped the way your life has turned out?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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