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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 suggests that deep down, many gardeners see themselves as ________ transforming compost, water, and light into beauty.

2. The book suggests that gardens used to be planted as a kind of living _____ that cared little for aesthetics.

3. Into what kind of plant have plant breeders inserted a gene from a firefly, making the plants glow, although for no apparent reason, according to Pollan?

4. Some of the ways children have been known to seek this altered state of consciousness include all of the following except______.

5. What needs to be kept artificially high in the clean rooms in order to keep other microbes out?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the rationale that Pollan gives for growing pot as he decides to do when it is not as much of a legal issue?

2. What does Pollan begin to realize after the powerful storm that ruined a part of the famous gardens of Versailles?

3. What happens to the animal in the wild who decides to eat hallucinogens and thus takes in the toxins of these plants?

4. What has been the recurrent theme about plants which are forbidden by others? What are they supposed to provide?

5. Why were the Irish open to farming the potato in order to provide food for themselves?

6. After a few days of drenching rain, what did the NewLeaf potato plants look like in Pollan's garden?

7. How does Heath avoid the purchases of many inputs on his farm so that he can save money?

8. What does genetic engineering promise to do for the crops which are growing with these modifications?

9. What is the most important thing to an animal's survival, according to the discussion of plants?

10. Compare and contrast the tastes of plants which are supposed to be eaten with those which are not supposed to be eaten.

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 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?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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