View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. A _______ is one that is used for getting cuttings. Like the apples, the result of the impact of this may be detrimental to the species.

2. Pollan suggests that on a biochemical level, psychoactive plants affect the brain much the way that the following activities except ______ affect it.

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

4. When Pollan opened up the package to grow the NewLeaf potatoes, the card stated that he was now ________ to grow the potatoes.

5. Certain drugs, Pollan states, will cause objects around us to change until they appear as the _________ versions of themselves.

Short Essay Questions

1. As the various lands in Europe began to rely on the potato, what were the positive benefits of this situation?

2. How does one begin to grow potatoes, according to Pollan in the book?

3. What are some of the possible genetically modified food advances people might see in the future, according to Pollan?

4. What parts of the marijuana plant are supposed to be smoked?

5. What are some of the reasons why potatoes were not very popular in Europe around the late 1500s?

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

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

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

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

10. What might have happened if the police chief had seen the marijuana plant in Pollan's backyard?

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

Pollan's main idea is that plants have shaped human evolution just as much as humans have shaped plant evolution.

Part 1: In what ways do you think plants have helped to shape human evolution?

Part 2: In what ways do you think humans have helped to shape plant evolution?

Part 3: Do you think humans or plants are responsible for more change for the other species? Why?

Essay Topic 3

While the potato is easy to grow, it became a plant of vital importance as Ireland rebounded from the Potato Famine.

Part 1: Why do you think the potato famine was so devastating to Ireland?

Part 2: Do you think it's wise for any country to rely strictly on one crop for its food supply?

Part 3: How do you think Ireland could have avoided the devastation they encountered during the famine?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 829 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample