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

2. Though the process of _________, animals can be fed, which then leads to the feeding of humans, too.

3. The Naylor farm has turned from a diverse farm to one that has become a _________ production mecca.

4. What is NOT one of the things that humans consult in order to determine what they will and will not eat?

5. Each acre of corn, according to Pollan needs to have _________ gallons of fossil fuel to support it.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are the chicken pens slowly moved around the pasture during the day?

2. What does Pollan point out is the start of any of the foods in the food chain, which came as a surprise to him?

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

4. What are some of the other creatures and ingredients that are a part of the picture of the natural cow eating the natural grass?

5. What is corn starch broken down into after it has been processed in the wet milling process?

6. What does the Salatin farm not need to use because it practices other methods of pest control and fertilization?

7. What did Pollan feel about the meal that he had that was made from all organic foods?

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

9. Why do humans have the problem of the omnivore's dilemma, according to Pollan?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The industrial method of growing corn appears to be causing more environmental damage than many might believe.

Part 1: Do you think farmers consider the environmental damage when growing corn?

Part 2: Do you think that farming can be more efficient? How?

Part 3: Why do you think industrial farming is so inefficient today?

Essay Topic 2

The main theme of the book is the omnivore's dilemma and it's one that Pollan returns to again and again.

Part 1: Do you think you face a dilemma when you sit down to eat?

Part 2: Why do you think Pollan believes that the dilemma is important?

Part 3: Should people think about where their food comes from or why they choose certain foods?

Essay Topic 3

The way that the cows are handled in industrial farms allows more chance of disease to the cow and to the human who eats the beef.

Part 1: How do you think animals should be treated when they are being raised as food?

Part 2: Do you think it's right to eat animals?

Part 3: Why do you think animals' health and well-being aren't always supported by those who raise them?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 666 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample