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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 refers to an action or an instance of negligence that is deemed injurious to the public welfare or morals or to the interests of the state, and is legally prohibited?

2. What kind of orchid was John Laroche accused of attempting to steal in The Millionaire's Hothouse?

3. Where did Susan first read about John Laroche?

4. Studies at what university encouraged Charles Darwin's passion for natural science?

5. When did Frederick Sander meet Benedict Roezl?

Short Essay Questions

1. What did Susan learn about the cloning of orchids in Gorgeous?

2. What are John Laroche's most striking qualities? How is he introduced in the narrative?

3. Where did Susan first learn of John Laroche? Where did she go to learn more?

4. How had Laroche gone about building a nursery for the Seminoles?

5. How big is the Fakahatchee Strand? What plants and animals live there?

6. Who were Frederick Sander and Benedict Roezl?

7. Describe the Seminole Indians. Where do they live?

8. Where did Laroche take Susan in Gorgeous?

9. What scene did Laroche cause at a friend's nursery in Cloning the Ghost?

10. When was the first orchid bloomed in England? Who began the collecting craze?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss the role that the Ghost Orchid plays in the plot of Orlean's narrative. How does the elusive Ghost Orchid drive the author and narrator in her quest?

Essay Topic 2

How does the theme of obsession apply to "The Orchid Thief"? What symbols and metaphors support this theme?

Essay Topic 3

Describe John Laroche's car accident and the impact of Hurricane Andrew on Florida. When did Andrew hit?

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This section contains 818 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample