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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. Mushrooms, Pollan points out, can be ________, but they can also be deadly.

2. Neither being ignorant or aware is a completely _________ way of eating in the world today.

3. Pollan tries to be vegetarian, but gives it up as he finds it less ________ and much more difficult.

4. A new economy, based on a new way of __________, demands a new kind of eating where people enjoy preparing meals.

5. __________ is another tool that humans use to decide if a food is good to eat, which helps to avoid foods that smell rotten.

Short Essay Questions

1. What is in the meal that Pollan makes at the end of this section, which he describes as being phenomenal?

2. Why do humans seem to eat what other humans eat, according to Pollan?

3. What does Pollan begin to experience after a day of hunting for a wild boar?

4. What are some of the ways in which humans have learned to overcome the plant's defenses?

5. What does Pollan begin to realize as he is preparing for his hunter's license?

6. How does Pollan change his eating habits after reading "Animal Liberation"?

7. What is the fundamental argument in Singer's book about the ethics of meat?

8. What does Garro bring to the meal that Pollan has already asked him to bring?

9. Why is Bev having troubles getting his eggs into stores and into the market?

10. What does Pollan believe that CAFO does not take into consideration when processing meat?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The organic farmers talk about how there is a price to pay when they want to be productive.

Part 1: Do you think that organic farming can ever be pure farming?

Part 2: Why do you think that organic farmers still grow their crops in an industrial way?

Part 3: Is there anything wrong with organic farmers being more industrial in their techniques?

Essay Topic 2

Much of the image of what 'organic' is may not be true, according to Pollan's findings.

Part 1: Why do you think people are so drawn to the idea of something being organic?

Part 2: Do you choose organic foods? Why or why not?

Part 3: How do you think a person can make a more informed decision about the foods they buy and eat?

Essay Topic 3

The food industry, according to Pollan, relies on two imperfect natural systems - the farm and the human.

Part 1: What do you think might create a more perfect system for farming?

Part 2: Is it even possible to have a perfect system for farming?

Part 3: Do you think the farms or the humans are more to blame for the troubles in the food chain right now?

(see the answer keys)

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