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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. What is the name of the company which makes the genetically modified potato called "NewLeaf"?

2. Factors restricting the growth of marijuana that indoor gardeners were able to control include the following except _______.

3. Where are the Monsanto headquarters located, according to Pollan's description in the book?

4. ______ change the taste of plant flesh on the tongues of certain animals and can render the sweetest fruit sour.

5. ______ has written two books claiming that consciousness changing is a basic human activity that even children seek out.

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Heath have to say about Pollan's question about pest resistance to the chemicals the potatoes are designed to produce?

2. What causes the Great Potato Famine and the many deaths over the area of Europe?

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 does Pollan believe the experience of the sublime has to do with the experience of nature?

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

6. 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?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When the reader sees that marijuana is one of the plants in the book, they can have a variety of reactions.

Part 1: Why do you think Pollan decided to include marijuana in this book?

Part 2: Do you agree that marijuana should be included in a book about how plants change humans as much as humans change plants?

Part 3: How do you think marijuana has affected humans, in your experience?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

The idea of tulipomania is one which seems to be silly and yet completely true at the same time.

Part 1: Why do you think so many people gravitated to the tulip?

Part 2: What are your impressions of the tulip? Do you find it beautiful?

Part 3: How do you think a flower can become a part of a craze in the world? Does this seem like a necessary situation?

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This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample