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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 does the farmer use to cover the chicken waste in the compost pile?

2. Over time, corn has become everything humans need to be a staple of the _________ food chain.

3. The invention of synthetic materials also meant that _________ would become necessary to fix the nitrogen.

4. Hybrid corn is a __________ hog, according to this chapter, and is able to be grown without disruption of fertility issues.

5. As the food companies produced more corn, they create more _________ as it is cheaper than sugar.

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the lack of a good culture in America cause among people?

2. Why does most of the corn planting farming rely on the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO)?

3. Describe the Salatin farm as Pollan views it in the book from his experiences visiting there.

4. What are the environmental results of the industrial method of farming, as Pollan finds out?

5. Why is high fructose corn syrup used in sodas today instead of regular sugar?

6. What is the history of Polyface Farm, according to the book?

7. What does a person need to know in order to succeed with grass farming?

8. What does Pollan point out as a downside of there being more organic farms around today?

9. What does Naylor admit that he and most other growers grow in their corn fields?

10. What are three of the benefits to grass farming, as outlined by Pollan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Corn is a food that seems to be dominant in the food chain, with it being a food for animals as well as a food for humans.

Part 1: Is it a good idea to have one food be so dominant in a food culture?

Part 2: Why do you think corn is something that is so dominant in the food culture?

Part 3: How do you think society can get away from corn or can it?

Essay Topic 2

The prices of organic and sustainably grown foods is higher than regular foods.

Part 1: Do you mind paying higher prices for better food?

Part 2: Why do you think organic and sustainably grown foods have to cost more?

Part 3: Do you think higher food prices keep some people away from these types of foods?

Essay Topic 3

There is a form of corn that is lower in quality than the corn in many foods, and it is fed to the animals.

Part 1: Do you think that lower quality food should be served to animals?

Part 2: Why do you think there is so much extra corn that can be used without any concern for quality?

Part 3: How do you think the farmers might be able to provide better quality feed for their animals?

(see the answer keys)

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