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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. A _______ is one that is used for getting cuttings. Like the apples, the result of the impact of this may be detrimental to the species.

2. The book suggests that _______ calls to human desire to alter the textures and contents of our consciousness.

3. _______ are substances studied by ethnobotanists and refer to "the god within."

4. According to the book, some counter strategies to these toxins include all of the following except ______.

5. _________ is one example of a chemical which was tested before it was used, only to find that later on it affected other ecosystems.

Short Essay Questions

1. What was going on at the time of Pollan's visit to Amsterdam for research for this book?

2. What has been the recurrent theme about plants which are forbidden by others? What are they supposed to provide?

3. Why are cats so drawn to catnip, according to the research that Pollan does after seeing how his cat response to using this herb?

4. What are some of the possible genetically modified food advances people might see in the future, according to Pollan?

5. What causes the Great Potato Famine and the many deaths over the area of Europe?

6. What does genetic engineering promise to do for the crops which are growing with these modifications?

7. What parts of the marijuana plant are supposed to be smoked?

8. What is the status of marijuana use and growing in Amsterdam, according to Pollan in his book?

9. What were the dangers of the potato, according to Malthus during the time of the rise of the potato?

10. What is the rationale that Pollan gives for growing pot as he decides to do when it is not as much of a legal issue?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

While the potato is easy to grow, it became a plant of vital importance as Ireland rebounded from the Potato Famine.

Part 1: Why do you think the potato famine was so devastating to Ireland?

Part 2: Do you think it's wise for any country to rely strictly on one crop for its food supply?

Part 3: How do you think Ireland could have avoided the devastation they encountered during the famine?

Essay Topic 2

The process of bidding on flowers in order to have them in flower shops for orders seems to be a strange process to those outside of the flower market.

Part 1: Do you think that it's fair for flower sellers to have to bid on the flowers they want in their stores?

Part 2: How do you think flower auctions run? Are they frenetic like the stock market or are they more subdued?

Part 3: Why do you think flowers are so popular in the world among people of all ages and backgrounds?

Essay Topic 3

The book's subjects are presented with objectivity at times, but not at other times.

Part 1: Do you think it's possible for a book to be completely objective?

Part 2: In what ways might Pollan have been able to be more objective in the way he writes this book?

Part 3: How do you think Pollan feels about the plants that he has chosen in this book?

(see the answer keys)

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