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

2. "Fireflies" tells of the _________ of a firefly.

3. Why might these insects want to teach others to walk on water?

4. Like the mayfly, people often have feelings of nostalgia towards what?

5. Joyful Noise is a book of ____________.

Short Essay Questions

1. Why are mayflies so frantic, according to this poem?

2. How would you describe a firefly to someone who has never seen one?

3. What feelings are evoked by the grasshoppers? Why?

4. What does the poem "Book Lice" do for English literature?

5. Describe the grasshoppers in "Grasshoppers" and the water striders in "Water Striders." How do they compare?

6. What is the purpose of this book?

7. How does a mayfly's life compare to our own?

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

9. How does the poet use words to make the movement of the firefly more exciting and vivid? Do you think this is effective? Why or why not?

10. How are these lice like people?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

There are two types of bees found in "Honeybees."

Part 1) What are these two types of bees? How are they similar? How are they different? Why are they both included in this poem? What does this say about bee culture and society?

Part 2) How can one make a connection between these bees and human culture and society? What might this reveal about the author's view of these types of people in society?

Part 3) Can you relate to these two types of bees? To which type of bee do you feel more connected? Why?

Essay Topic 2

Having a purpose in life is an important theme in this book.

Part 1) How is this an important theme? Choose four of the insects described in this book. What is each insect's purpose, based on the poem? Why is this its purpose? How can you relate to this?

Part 2) How do the various purposes differ? Why do they differ? How are the insects' instincts, habitats, and physical abilities connected to these purposes?

Part 3) How can humans relate to each of these purposes? Why? How are humans unique in regards to purpose in life? How does this compare to the insects in this book?

Essay Topic 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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