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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. "Grasshoppers" describes the grasshoppers' _______________ movements and energy.

2. To emphasize the powerful and image-provoking verbs used by the poet, he has used what literary device?

3. What is some of the vocabulary used by the poet to describe the grasshoppers?

4. According to this poem, why is the moth drawn to the light?

5. _______________ are used to help people to better understand the insect world around them.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the purpose of "Book Lice?"

2. What might be the real purpose for a firefly's light? Why do you think this?

3. How does the mayfly's perception of time compare to our own?

4. To what can the water strider's ability to walk on water be compared? Why?

5. If you were to write a poem, what would it be about? Why?

6. How is the structure of the poem "Grasshoppers" reminiscent of the movement of the grasshoppers?

7. How can a person relate to this moth?

8. How are these lice like people?

9. If you only had twenty-four hours to live, what would you do? Why?

10. How does a mayfly feel at the end of its life? Why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

A theme of this book is the focus on the insects' unique qualities.

Part 1) What are the unique qualities of each of the insects? How does the poet describe these unique qualities and make them stand out to the reader? What is his purpose for doing this?

Part 2) What is the most frequent quality described in this book? Support your response with proof from the book. Why might the poet have frequently focused on this quality? How can humans relate to this quality?

Part 3) How might reading about these unique qualities affect the reader? How might the reader's view of insects change because of these unique qualities? How do these qualities help you identify with the insects?

Essay Topic 2

Fireflies are compared to painters and calligraphers.

Part 1) How are the fireflies compared to painters and calligraphers? Why are they compared to these types of artists? Do you see this as a good comparison? Why or why not?

Part 2) What literary devices are found in this poem? Why does the poet choose to use these literary devices? Do they enhance the poem? If so, how? If not, why not?

Part 3) How are all art forms connected? What do all artists have in common? How is that illustrated throughout this book?

Essay Topic 3

The different species' personalities are as different as people.

Part 1) Which insect species is most like you? How is this species like you? How does this affect your opinion of this species?

Part 2) How might your opinion of this species change your view of them the next time you see them? Why?

Part 3) How can you use this book to help you better understand other creatures, such as mammals and reptiles?

(see the answer keys)

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