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

2. Pollan points out during the book that omnivores face a __________ when they eat today.

3. Humans are not a perfect natural system in the food system because they can only _______ so much food.

4. In a bad corn year, the food industry might use __________ as a replacement in many foods.

5. Many of the products at the health store where Pollan shops contain foods from the _________ food chain.

Short Essay Questions

1. What are some of the compounds that are derived from the various parts of the corn kernel?

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

3. What are the reasons why Pollan calls farms and humans imperfect natural systems?

4. What are the three different parts of the food chain that Pollan follows in this book?

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

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

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

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

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

10. What happens to the cows that produce organic milk for places like Whole Foods, according to Pollan?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Pollan is surprised by the many things he learns about his food and where it comes from.

Part 1: Do you know where your food comes from?

Part 2: Why do you think people don't often think about where their food comes from?

Part 3: Do you feel it is important to know where your food comes from?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

For those who don't make a lot of money, fast food is a way to get higher calorie meals for less money.

Part 1: Do you think fast food is a bad thing?

Part 2: Why do you think lower income families choose fast food over healthy foods?

Part 3: How do you think fast food restaurants and grocery stores could help lower income families eat better?

(see the answer keys)

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