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Reading Comprehension Quiz (Lewis Thomas, “Natural Man”)

Reading Comprehension Quiz

Lewis Thomas, “Natural Man”

Read “Natural Man” and check your comprehension by answering the following questions. Click the submit button when finished.

Question According to Thomas, economists have become involved with the environmental movement. Why does Thomas see it as being hard for economists to write about environmental ideas?

1. According to Thomas, economists have become involved with the environmental movement. Why does Thomas see it as being hard for economists to write about environmental ideas?

Economists are supposed to use cold reasoning in their work, and writing about the environment entails less than hard facts.

Economists are supposed to only deal with money, and money is not at all related to the environment.

Economists are unable to separate environmental issues from economic trends.

All of the above.

Question Thomas writes that the earth was seen as man’s personal property for most of history. In recent years, the general population has come to see humanity as having which role in the environment?

2. Thomas writes that the earth was seen as man’s personal property for most of history. In recent years, the general population has come to see humanity as having which role in the environment?

We are slaves to the environment.

We are dependent on the environment.

We are separate from the environment.

None of the above.

Question Thomas suggests that man’s relationship with nature is constantly changing. The new view of man’s relationship with nature is that

3. Thomas suggests that man’s relationship with nature is constantly changing. The new view of man’s relationship with nature is that

nature is superior to man in every way.

nature will provide for man if we take care of it.

man is the master of nature, like it or not.

man is doomed to destroy the earth.

Question In paragraph 5, Thomas creates a metaphor of man as

4. In paragraph 5, Thomas creates a metaphor of man as a

symbiote.

machine.

digestive system.

nervous system.

Question In paragraph 11, Thomas uses very precise and scientific labels in comparing humans to various other life forms. What is his purpose in doing this?

5. In paragraph 11, Thomas uses very precise and scientific labels in comparing humans to various other life forms. What is his purpose in doing this?

Thomas is showing that there is little difference between humans and the creatures around them.

Thomas is trying to overwhelm and confuse his reader.

Thomas wishes to show how evolution has created humanity and strengthen his argument against creationist theory.

All of the above.

Question What creatures does Thomas personify in his essay?

6. What creatures does Thomas personify in his essay?

mastodons and tapeworms

lichens and clams

clams and algae

algae and mastodons

Question What does Thomas hope our role will be in nature?

7. What does Thomas hope our role will be in nature?

masters

slaves

farmers

handymen

Question What does Thomas suggest should be labeled as a valuable, endangered species?

8. What does Thomas suggest should be labeled as a valuable, endangered species?

giant clams

humans

algae

mastodons