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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. Why might the cause of death of these insects be surprising to humans?

2. How can people relate to the worker bee?

3. What is another mood that can be felt while reading "The Digger Wasp"?

4. The sound of cicadas singing begins how?

5. "The Digger Wasp" is a very _________________ story.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is a literary device used in "Water Boatmen?" Explain how it is used.

2. How is the artwork important, specifically to the whirligig beetle poem? Why?

3. Why might the digger wasp die before its young are born?

4. What does "The Digger Wasp" describe? Why?

5. How does this mood in "The Digger Wasp" change? Why?

6. Compare the different types of honeybees.

7. Describe the whirligig beetle, based on this poem.

8. How are cicadas like a choir?

9. How is "Requiem" unlike any of the other poems? Why?

10. How does the author use poetry and literary devices to teach about whirligig beetles?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Famous authors' names are mentioned in "Book Lice."

Part 1) How do these famous authors' names get mentioned in this poem? Why might the poet have decided to include these famous authors in this poem? Does this enhance the poem in any way? Why or why not?

Part 2) What information might be helpful prior to reading this poem? Why? How might this information effect one's ability to understand "Book Lice" and the differences between these two different lice?

Part 3) How important is it to learn about famous authors and artists? Explain. Would the author of this book agree with you? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 2

There are many insect species described in this book.

Part 1) After reading these poems, to which species do you feel most connected? Why? How has this book changed your attitude toward this species? Why?

Part 2) Which species would you add, if you were the poet? Why? How might this species compare to those already included in this book?

Part 3) How do these species represent all insects? Are all types of insects adequately represented? If so, how? If not, why not?

Essay Topic 3

Some of the insects' actions are described.

Part 1) What poems focus on action? Whose action is the focus? Why is this the focus? What does this reveal about this insect?

Part 2) How do the other poems contrast these very active poems? Why does this contrast exist? What does this reveal about the insects?

Part 3) How is action connected to the mood of the poem? How important is the mood of the poem? Explain. Is the mood of a story important to every story? Why or why not?

(see the answer keys)

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