Many children have a "bug period"--a time of life when bugs are a source of endless fascination and learning. Naturalist Edward O. Wilson jokes that unlike other kids, he never grew out of his bug period.

Luckily for this biologist, his lifelong passion for ants has led to a career rich in accomplishments and praise. He is not just the world's foremost expert on the social behavior of ants, but also the receiver of the National Medal of Science and two Pulitzer Prizes for nonfiction. Now, at the age of 80, Wilson has tried his hand at fiction. His first novel, Anthill, combines two of his greatest loves -- his childhood home, Alabama, and the ants that have been his lifelong friends.

Described as a "six-legged Iliad," Wilson's Anthill draws parallels between human and ant societies. Though there are no ant bands, secret police, or schools of philosophy, both ants and man conduct wars, divide themselves into specialized classes of workers, build cities, maintain infant nurseries and cemeteries, take slaves and practice agriculture, though ant societies are more energetic, selfless, and efficient than human ones.

The book's first and third sections deal with the adventures of an Alabama boy, Raphael Semmes Cody, who goes by the name Raff. The boy grows up knocking around the Nokobee woods; he's drawn to its natural wonders, and uses the forest to escape from his parents' unhappy marriage. In the woods he leaves almost no stone unturned as he discovers the forest's rich flora and fauna . Raff grows up and heads to Harvard to study law, but returns later in life to protect the Nokobee from crazy developers. But fans of Wilson's science will be most interested in the book's middle section, where the author inserts a mini-novel describing the trials and sufferings of the ants living in the endangered forest.

Reviews of the book have been mixed. Writing for The New York Review of Books, Margaret Atwood praised Wilson for his first novel, saying that it is highlighted by a diversity of ideas and an imaginative plot. And -- with the exception of some dull preachiness -- it is entertaining. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. Who never grew out of his bug period?
2. Did he have a lifelong passion for bugs?
3. What has he received for his non fiction work?
4. How old is he?
5. Has he written a fiction?
6. What's the name of the fiction?
7. Where is his childhood home?
8. Who is the main character in Anthill?
9. Did the book receive mixed reviews?
10. What does bug period mean?
Answer: 1. Edward O. Wilson
2. yes
3. the National Medal of Science and two Pulitzer Prizes
4. 80
5. yes
6. Anthill
7. Alabama
8. Raphael Semmes Cody
9. yes
10. a time of life when bugs are a source of endless fascination and learning

CHAPTER XIV.

WATER-PARTY

Every year Mr Crich gave a more or less public water-party on the lake. There was a little pleasure-launch on Willey Water and several rowing boats, and guests could take tea either in the marquee that was set up in the grounds of the house, or they could picnic in the shade of the great walnut tree at the boat-house by the lake. This year the staff of the Grammar-School was invited, along with the chief officials of the firm. Gerald and the younger Criches did not care for this party, but it had become customary now, and it pleased the father, as being the only occasion when he could gather some people of the district together in festivity with him. For he loved to give pleasures to his dependents and to those poorer than himself. But his children preferred the company of their own equals in wealth. They hated their inferiors' humility or gratitude or awkwardness.

Nevertheless they were willing to attend at this festival, as they had done almost since they were children, the more so, as they all felt a little guilty now, and unwilling to thwart their father any more, since he was so ill in health. Therefore, quite cheerfully Laura prepared to take her mother's place as hostess, and Gerald assumed responsibility for the amusements on the water.

Birkin had written to Ursula saying he expected to see her at the party, and Gudrun, although she scorned the patronage of the Criches, would nevertheless accompany her mother and father if the weather were fine. What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. who was invited to Mr Crich's party this year?
2. would his children be attending as well?
3. who else was invited?
4. was Mr Crich in good health?
5. did the children really want to attend?
6. what didn't they like?
7. who would be the hostess?
8. and what was Gerald responsible for?
9. how often would this party take place?
10. where?
11. where could guests choose to picnic?
12. who did the children prefer the company of?
13. who did Birken write to?
14. what was he expecting?
15. who else would be there?
16. would there be tea at the party?
17. is there a boat house on the property?
18. where could guests drink tea?
19. where is that?
20. what did Mr. Crich love?
Answer: 1. the staff of the Grammar-School
2. Yes
3. the chief officials of the firm
4. No
5. No
6. their inferiors' humility
7. Laura
8. the amusements on the water.
9. Every year
10. on the lake
11. in the shade of the great walnut tree
12. their own equals in wealth.
13. Ursula
14. to see her at the party,
15. Gudrun
16. Yes
17. Yes
18. in the marquee
19. in the grounds of the house,
20. to give pleasures to his dependents

"This is really a very fast game, the fastest I've seen so far this year. Both sides are fighting for the ball all the time. The crowd is loving every minute of it. They are shouting at the top of their voices."

"Wills has the ball now. This is only his third game for Scotland, but he's playing so well that it won't be his last. I'm quite sure."

"Wills passes the ball to Cotton. Cotton kicks it over the heads of the waiting Frenchmen, towards the goalmouth. But he's too far away, Dupond picks it up easily, and throws it to Patou, put on the left."

"France and Scotland still have one goal each, and there are only two minutes left of the game. But during that time, anything can happen. Patou kicks the ball across to Croat. It is a beautiful kick, but Steven jumps and just stops the ball with the side of his head. Meunier is there. He passes to Crozat, and Crozat, without waiting a second, puts the ball into the back of the goal. It takes everybody by surprise. I have never seen a goal like it."

"The game is over. France has won the cup." What are the answers to this following set of questions: 1. What game is being played?
2. What was won?
3. by who?
4. who did they play?
5. what was the score 2 minutes before the end?
6. Who kicked the ball?
7. across to who?
8. Did he get the goal?
9. What happened?
10. with his foot?
11. with what?
12. Who else was there?
13. Who is the ball passed to next?
14. and then what?
15. Was it expected?
16. Was the game slow going?
17. How did the crowd feel?
18. how do you know?
19. Has Wills played a lot in Scotland?
20. How many times?
Answer:
1. unknown
2. the cup.
3. France
4. Scotland
5. one goal each
6. Patou
7. Croat
8. No
9. Steven jumps and just stops the ball
10. No
11. with the side of his head.
12. Meunier
13. Crozat,
14. he scores the goal
15. No
16. No
17. loving every minute of it
18. They are shouting at the top of their voices."
19. No
20. 3rd