Reading Comprehension

Lichens are extensively used as dies and pigments in textile industry.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

For professionals who are engaged in naming different kinds of organisms, lichens have always been a very interesting, rather provocative, challenge. The difficulty with lichens is that lichen is not a separate organism in the sense of being one type of individual. It is actually a close partnership between or cohabitation of two different organisms, a fungus and an alga (Algae are very simple plants). The cohabitation is indeed interesting as the partners are quite unlike in the sense that they are profoundly different.
The two types of organisms participating in the partnership are so closely interwoven that they appear as a single organism. The individual appearance of lichen is entirely different from that of either of the partner organisms that make up the structure of the lichen. Lichens are found in many different but recognizable types and each type is different and distinct. A number of these types have been given specific individual names of their own, in spite of the fact that each one of them is already a combination of two or even three different species.
There are about 1,700 known species of lichen in Britain alone. Through out the world about   18,000 distinct species of lichen have been identified and described.  The algal partners in lichens, unlike the fungal partners, are photosy nthetic and are hence capable of   living on their own in nature, as independent species in their own right. The fungal partners in British lichens are generally distinguishable and belong to Ascomycetes or Basidiomycetes. However, for survival in nature they need the companionship of the right kind of algal partner. These fungal partners cannot survive on their own, a fact that is not applicable to their algal partners and many other fungi which can survive on their own.
Lichens use their entire surface area to absorb water and minerals from rainwater. They can even absorb water and minerals directly from the atmosphere. This characteristic property makes lichens extremely sensitive to atmospheric pollution and it is almost impossible for lichens to survive in polluted areas. This is the reason why we find very few lichens around industrial areas and big cities. 
The capacity to tolerate pollution varies in different species of lichen. This difference in the tolerance levels make lichens very good biological indicators of the levels atmospheric pollution.   .
If you are interested to know the quality of air in your area, just go for a walk around your local churchyard.  You will get an idea about air quality in your area. Churchyards are generally undisturbed areas as compared to other busy areas. The stone headstones found in churchyards provide a good substrate for lichens. A close observation of these lichens will provide you with enough indication as to how good is the air quality in your locality.  
Uses Over the ages lichens are put to a number of uses.  Lichens were extensively used as pigments or dies for clothing before the advent of the present day synthetic dyes. In fact different lichens were used to produce different dye colors and these colors could be mixed in different proportions to produce a wide variety of new colors and shades.
The chemistry of lichens is indeed very interesting. The fact is that lichens produce a large number of acids and many of them are unique in the sense that they are found only in lichens. It would be very interesting to know that the popular litmus dye widely used as an acid/alkaline indicator in laboratories comes from lichens. Yet another important fact about lichens is that some lichen species have antibiotic properties. Some lichen acids are used in antibiotic drugs and are found to be much more effective than penicillin.

Lichens are very sensitive to atmospheric pollution because they are not able to draw minerals from polluted air.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

For professionals who are engaged in naming different kinds of organisms, lichens have always been a very interesting, rather provocative, challenge. The difficulty with lichens is that lichen is not a separate organism in the sense of being one type of individual. It is actually a close partnership between or cohabitation of two different organisms, a fungus and an alga (Algae are very simple plants). The cohabitation is indeed interesting as the partners are quite unlike in the sense that they are profoundly different.
The two types of organisms participating in the partnership are so closely interwoven that they appear as a single organism. The individual appearance of lichen is entirely different from that of either of the partner organisms that make up the structure of the lichen. Lichens are found in many different but recognizable types and each type is different and distinct. A number of these types have been given specific individual names of their own, in spite of the fact that each one of them is already a combination of two or even three different species.
There are about 1,700 known species of lichen in Britain alone. Through out the world about   18,000 distinct species of lichen have been identified and described.  The algal partners in lichens, unlike the fungal partners, are photosy nthetic and are hence capable of   living on their own in nature, as independent species in their own right. The fungal partners in British lichens are generally distinguishable and belong to Ascomycetes or Basidiomycetes. However, for survival in nature they need the companionship of the right kind of algal partner. These fungal partners cannot survive on their own, a fact that is not applicable to their algal partners and many other fungi which can survive on their own.
Lichens use their entire surface area to absorb water and minerals from rainwater. They can even absorb water and minerals directly from the atmosphere. This characteristic property makes lichens extremely sensitive to atmospheric pollution and it is almost impossible for lichens to survive in polluted areas. This is the reason why we find very few lichens around industrial areas and big cities. 
The capacity to tolerate pollution varies in different species of lichen. This difference in the tolerance levels make lichens very good biological indicators of the levels atmospheric pollution.   .
If you are interested to know the quality of air in your area, just go for a walk around your local churchyard.  You will get an idea about air quality in your area. Churchyards are generally undisturbed areas as compared to other busy areas. The stone headstones found in churchyards provide a good substrate for lichens. A close observation of these lichens will provide you with enough indication as to how good is the air quality in your locality.  
Uses Over the ages lichens are put to a number of uses.  Lichens were extensively used as pigments or dies for clothing before the advent of the present day synthetic dyes. In fact different lichens were used to produce different dye colors and these colors could be mixed in different proportions to produce a wide variety of new colors and shades.
The chemistry of lichens is indeed very interesting. The fact is that lichens produce a large number of acids and many of them are unique in the sense that they are found only in lichens. It would be very interesting to know that the popular litmus dye widely used as an acid/alkaline indicator in laboratories comes from lichens. Yet another important fact about lichens is that some lichen species have antibiotic properties. Some lichen acids are used in antibiotic drugs and are found to be much more effective than penicillin.

The names given to various types of lichens are invariably different from the names of the participating organisms.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

For professionals who are engaged in naming different kinds of organisms, lichens have always been a very interesting, rather provocative, challenge. The difficulty with lichens is that lichen is not a separate organism in the sense of being one type of individual. It is actually a close partnership between or cohabitation of two different organisms, a fungus and an alga (Algae are very simple plants). The cohabitation is indeed interesting as the partners are quite unlike in the sense that they are profoundly different.
The two types of organisms participating in the partnership are so closely interwoven that they appear as a single organism. The individual appearance of lichen is entirely different from that of either of the partner organisms that make up the structure of the lichen. Lichens are found in many different but recognizable types and each type is different and distinct. A number of these types have been given specific individual names of their own, in spite of the fact that each one of them is already a combination of two or even three different species.
There are about 1,700 known species of lichen in Britain alone. Through out the world about   18,000 distinct species of lichen have been identified and described.  The algal partners in lichens, unlike the fungal partners, are photosy nthetic and are hence capable of   living on their own in nature, as independent species in their own right. The fungal partners in British lichens are generally distinguishable and belong to Ascomycetes or Basidiomycetes. However, for survival in nature they need the companionship of the right kind of algal partner. These fungal partners cannot survive on their own, a fact that is not applicable to their algal partners and many other fungi which can survive on their own.
Lichens use their entire surface area to absorb water and minerals from rainwater. They can even absorb water and minerals directly from the atmosphere. This characteristic property makes lichens extremely sensitive to atmospheric pollution and it is almost impossible for lichens to survive in polluted areas. This is the reason why we find very few lichens around industrial areas and big cities. 
The capacity to tolerate pollution varies in different species of lichen. This difference in the tolerance levels make lichens very good biological indicators of the levels atmospheric pollution.   .
If you are interested to know the quality of air in your area, just go for a walk around your local churchyard.  You will get an idea about air quality in your area. Churchyards are generally undisturbed areas as compared to other busy areas. The stone headstones found in churchyards provide a good substrate for lichens. A close observation of these lichens will provide you with enough indication as to how good is the air quality in your locality.  
Uses Over the ages lichens are put to a number of uses.  Lichens were extensively used as pigments or dies for clothing before the advent of the present day synthetic dyes. In fact different lichens were used to produce different dye colors and these colors could be mixed in different proportions to produce a wide variety of new colors and shades.
The chemistry of lichens is indeed very interesting. The fact is that lichens produce a large number of acids and many of them are unique in the sense that they are found only in lichens. It would be very interesting to know that the popular litmus dye widely used as an acid/alkaline indicator in laboratories comes from lichens. Yet another important fact about lichens is that some lichen species have antibiotic properties. Some lichen acids are used in antibiotic drugs and are found to be much more effective than penicillin.

A lichen is an example of a mutually beneficial cohabitation of two distinct organisms.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

For professionals who are engaged in naming different kinds of organisms, lichens have always been a very interesting, rather provocative, challenge. The difficulty with lichens is that lichen is not a separate organism in the sense of being one type of individual. It is actually a close partnership between or cohabitation of two different organisms, a fungus and an alga (Algae are very simple plants). The cohabitation is indeed interesting as the partners are quite unlike in the sense that they are profoundly different.
The two types of organisms participating in the partnership are so closely interwoven that they appear as a single organism. The individual appearance of lichen is entirely different from that of either of the partner organisms that make up the structure of the lichen. Lichens are found in many different but recognizable types and each type is different and distinct. A number of these types have been given specific individual names of their own, in spite of the fact that each one of them is already a combination of two or even three different species.
There are about 1,700 known species of lichen in Britain alone. Through out the world about   18,000 distinct species of lichen have been identified and described.  The algal partners in lichens, unlike the fungal partners, are photosy nthetic and are hence capable of   living on their own in nature, as independent species in their own right. The fungal partners in British lichens are generally distinguishable and belong to Ascomycetes or Basidiomycetes. However, for survival in nature they need the companionship of the right kind of algal partner. These fungal partners cannot survive on their own, a fact that is not applicable to their algal partners and many other fungi which can survive on their own.
Lichens use their entire surface area to absorb water and minerals from rainwater. They can even absorb water and minerals directly from the atmosphere. This characteristic property makes lichens extremely sensitive to atmospheric pollution and it is almost impossible for lichens to survive in polluted areas. This is the reason why we find very few lichens around industrial areas and big cities. 
The capacity to tolerate pollution varies in different species of lichen. This difference in the tolerance levels make lichens very good biological indicators of the levels atmospheric pollution.   .
If you are interested to know the quality of air in your area, just go for a walk around your local churchyard.  You will get an idea about air quality in your area. Churchyards are generally undisturbed areas as compared to other busy areas. The stone headstones found in churchyards provide a good substrate for lichens. A close observation of these lichens will provide you with enough indication as to how good is the air quality in your locality.  
Uses Over the ages lichens are put to a number of uses.  Lichens were extensively used as pigments or dies for clothing before the advent of the present day synthetic dyes. In fact different lichens were used to produce different dye colors and these colors could be mixed in different proportions to produce a wide variety of new colors and shades.
The chemistry of lichens is indeed very interesting. The fact is that lichens produce a large number of acids and many of them are unique in the sense that they are found only in lichens. It would be very interesting to know that the popular litmus dye widely used as an acid/alkaline indicator in laboratories comes from lichens. Yet another important fact about lichens is that some lichen species have antibiotic properties. Some lichen acids are used in antibiotic drugs and are found to be much more effective than penicillin.

The ancestors of today's house cats were inhabitants of the Middle East areas.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

The Cat (Felis silvestris catus), usually called the Domestic Cat or House Cat is a small flesh eating mammal. Cats are normally very active during twilight hours of the day like dogs, deer, mice, red pandas etc. and hence called crepuscular mammals. Domestic cats are considered to be very social and can easily get along with human beings and even with other pets kept by human beings. Another fact that endears cats to human beings is that cats feed on nuisance creating pests like worms, insects and rodents called vermin. Due to these reasons house cats are considered to be good companions to human beings and are greatly valued by them. According to researchers, the human-cat association has been there for more than 10,000 years.
Cats are highly skilled and specialized hunters. It is known that they hunt over 1,000 different species for food. They are also found to possess a higher level of intelligence and have also been known to have learnt to operate simple mechanisms such as doorknobs. Cats use varied vocalizations and typical body language for communication. These vocalizations include mewing (meow or miaow), purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Due to their popularity as preferred pets, cats are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This is a hobby known as Cat Fancy.
A study conducted under the aegis of the National Cancer Institute and published in the journal Science says that all house cats are descendents of a group of self-domesticating wild cats called Felis silvestris lybica found in deserts in the middle east area about 10,000 years ago. Another interesting fact about cats in general is that while almost all wildcat subspecies can interbreed, no such cross breeding is seen in domestic cats and they are all genetically contained within the specie.

Cats hunt vermin to be friendly with human beings.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

The Cat (Felis silvestris catus), usually called the Domestic Cat or House Cat is a small flesh eating mammal. Cats are normally very active during twilight hours of the day like dogs, deer, mice, red pandas etc. and hence called crepuscular mammals. Domestic cats are considered to be very social and can easily get along with human beings and even with other pets kept by human beings. Another fact that endears cats to human beings is that cats feed on nuisance creating pests like worms, insects and rodents called vermin. Due to these reasons house cats are considered to be good companions to human beings and are greatly valued by them. According to researchers, the human-cat association has been there for more than 10,000 years.
Cats are highly skilled and specialized hunters. It is known that they hunt over 1,000 different species for food. They are also found to possess a higher level of intelligence and have also been known to have learnt to operate simple mechanisms such as doorknobs. Cats use varied vocalizations and typical body language for communication. These vocalizations include mewing (meow or miaow), purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Due to their popularity as preferred pets, cats are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This is a hobby known as Cat Fancy.
A study conducted under the aegis of the National Cancer Institute and published in the journal Science says that all house cats are descendents of a group of self-domesticating wild cats called Felis silvestris lybica found in deserts in the middle east area about 10,000 years ago. Another interesting fact about cats in general is that while almost all wildcat subspecies can interbreed, no such cross breeding is seen in domestic cats and they are all genetically contained within the specie.

Almost all cat species are genetically contained within the specie.

Directions: Read the passage and answer the following question.

The Cat (Felis silvestris catus), usually called the Domestic Cat or House Cat is a small flesh eating mammal. Cats are normally very active during twilight hours of the day like dogs, deer, mice, red pandas etc. and hence called crepuscular mammals. Domestic cats are considered to be very social and can easily get along with human beings and even with other pets kept by human beings. Another fact that endears cats to human beings is that cats feed on nuisance creating pests like worms, insects and rodents called vermin. Due to these reasons house cats are considered to be good companions to human beings and are greatly valued by them. According to researchers, the human-cat association has been there for more than 10,000 years.
Cats are highly skilled and specialized hunters. It is known that they hunt over 1,000 different species for food. They are also found to possess a higher level of intelligence and have also been known to have learnt to operate simple mechanisms such as doorknobs. Cats use varied vocalizations and typical body language for communication. These vocalizations include mewing (meow or miaow), purring, hissing, growling, squeaking, chirping, clicking, and grunting. Due to their popularity as preferred pets, cats are also bred and shown as registered pedigree pets. This is a hobby known as Cat Fancy.
A study conducted under the aegis of the National Cancer Institute and published in the journal Science says that all house cats are descendents of a group of self-domesticating wild cats called Felis silvestris lybica found in deserts in the middle east area about 10,000 years ago. Another interesting fact about cats in general is that while almost all wildcat subspecies can interbreed, no such cross breeding is seen in domestic cats and they are all genetically contained within the specie.

Which of the following words means “Prolonged"?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promotes the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils. Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance. Indeed, wetlands are found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent except Antarctica. Two general categories of wetlands are recognized: coastal or tidal wetlands and inland or non-tidal wetlands. Tidal wetlands in the United States, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan, and Gulf coasts. They are closely linked to our nation's estuaries, where sea water mixes with fresh water to form an environment of varying salinities. The salt water and the fluctuating water levels (due to tidal action) combine to create a rather difficult environment for most plants. Consequently, many shallow coastal areas are unvegetated mud flats or sand flats. Some plants, however, have successfully adapted to this environment. Certain grasses and grasslike plants that adapt to the saline conditions form the tidal salt marshes that are found along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Mangrove swamps, with salt-loving shrubs or trees, are common in tropical climates, such as in southern Florida and Puerto Rico. Some tidal freshwater wetlands form beyond the upper edges of tidal salt marshes where the influence of salt water ends. Non-Tidal wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers and streams (riparian wetlands), in isolated depressions surrounded by dry land (for example, playas, basins, and potholes), along the margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas where the groundwater intercepts the soil surface or where precipitation sufficiently saturates the soil (vernal pools and bogs). Inland wetlands include marshes and wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps dominated by shrubs, and wooded swamps dominated by trees. Many of these wetlands are seasonal (they are dry one or more seasons every year), and, particularly in the arid and semiarid West, may be wet only periodically. The quantity of water present and the timing of its presence in part determine the functions of a wetland and its role in the environment. Even wetlands that appear dry at times for significant parts of the year - such as vernal pools - often provide critical habitat for wildlife adapted to breeding exclusively in these areas.

What kinds of wetlands are found along the Gulf coasts?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promotes the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils. Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance. Indeed, wetlands are found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent except Antarctica. Two general categories of wetlands are recognized: coastal or tidal wetlands and inland or non-tidal wetlands. Tidal wetlands in the United States, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan, and Gulf coasts. They are closely linked to our nation's estuaries, where sea water mixes with fresh water to form an environment of varying salinities. The salt water and the fluctuating water levels (due to tidal action) combine to create a rather difficult environment for most plants. Consequently, many shallow coastal areas are unvegetated mud flats or sand flats. Some plants, however, have successfully adapted to this environment. Certain grasses and grasslike plants that adapt to the saline conditions form the tidal salt marshes that are found along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Mangrove swamps, with salt-loving shrubs or trees, are common in tropical climates, such as in southern Florida and Puerto Rico. Some tidal freshwater wetlands form beyond the upper edges of tidal salt marshes where the influence of salt water ends. Non-Tidal wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers and streams (riparian wetlands), in isolated depressions surrounded by dry land (for example, playas, basins, and potholes), along the margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas where the groundwater intercepts the soil surface or where precipitation sufficiently saturates the soil (vernal pools and bogs). Inland wetlands include marshes and wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps dominated by shrubs, and wooded swamps dominated by trees. Many of these wetlands are seasonal (they are dry one or more seasons every year), and, particularly in the arid and semiarid West, may be wet only periodically. The quantity of water present and the timing of its presence in part determine the functions of a wetland and its role in the environment. Even wetlands that appear dry at times for significant parts of the year - such as vernal pools - often provide critical habitat for wildlife adapted to breeding exclusively in these areas.

Which of the following is the main characteristic of a vernal pool?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promotes the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils. Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance. Indeed, wetlands are found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent except Antarctica. Two general categories of wetlands are recognized: coastal or tidal wetlands and inland or non-tidal wetlands. Tidal wetlands in the United States, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan, and Gulf coasts. They are closely linked to our nation's estuaries, where sea water mixes with fresh water to form an environment of varying salinities. The salt water and the fluctuating water levels (due to tidal action) combine to create a rather difficult environment for most plants. Consequently, many shallow coastal areas are unvegetated mud flats or sand flats. Some plants, however, have successfully adapted to this environment. Certain grasses and grasslike plants that adapt to the saline conditions form the tidal salt marshes that are found along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Mangrove swamps, with salt-loving shrubs or trees, are common in tropical climates, such as in southern Florida and Puerto Rico. Some tidal freshwater wetlands form beyond the upper edges of tidal salt marshes where the influence of salt water ends. Non-Tidal wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers and streams (riparian wetlands), in isolated depressions surrounded by dry land (for example, playas, basins, and potholes), along the margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas where the groundwater intercepts the soil surface or where precipitation sufficiently saturates the soil (vernal pools and bogs). Inland wetlands include marshes and wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps dominated by shrubs, and wooded swamps dominated by trees. Many of these wetlands are seasonal (they are dry one or more seasons every year), and, particularly in the arid and semiarid West, may be wet only periodically. The quantity of water present and the timing of its presence in part determine the functions of a wetland and its role in the environment. Even wetlands that appear dry at times for significant parts of the year - such as vernal pools - often provide critical habitat for wildlife adapted to breeding exclusively in these areas.

What kind of species do wetlands support?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promotes the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils. Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance. Indeed, wetlands are found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent except Antarctica. Two general categories of wetlands are recognized: coastal or tidal wetlands and inland or non-tidal wetlands. Tidal wetlands in the United States, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan, and Gulf coasts. They are closely linked to our nation's estuaries, where sea water mixes with fresh water to form an environment of varying salinities. The salt water and the fluctuating water levels (due to tidal action) combine to create a rather difficult environment for most plants. Consequently, many shallow coastal areas are unvegetated mud flats or sand flats. Some plants, however, have successfully adapted to this environment. Certain grasses and grasslike plants that adapt to the saline conditions form the tidal salt marshes that are found along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Mangrove swamps, with salt-loving shrubs or trees, are common in tropical climates, such as in southern Florida and Puerto Rico. Some tidal freshwater wetlands form beyond the upper edges of tidal salt marshes where the influence of salt water ends. Non-Tidal wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers and streams (riparian wetlands), in isolated depressions surrounded by dry land (for example, playas, basins, and potholes), along the margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas where the groundwater intercepts the soil surface or where precipitation sufficiently saturates the soil (vernal pools and bogs). Inland wetlands include marshes and wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps dominated by shrubs, and wooded swamps dominated by trees. Many of these wetlands are seasonal (they are dry one or more seasons every year), and, particularly in the arid and semiarid West, may be wet only periodically. The quantity of water present and the timing of its presence in part determine the functions of a wetland and its role in the environment. Even wetlands that appear dry at times for significant parts of the year - such as vernal pools - often provide critical habitat for wildlife adapted to breeding exclusively in these areas.

Which of the following is not a reason for the wide variety in wetlands?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promotes the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils. Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance. Indeed, wetlands are found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent except Antarctica. Two general categories of wetlands are recognized: coastal or tidal wetlands and inland or non-tidal wetlands. Tidal wetlands in the United States, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan, and Gulf coasts. They are closely linked to our nation's estuaries, where sea water mixes with fresh water to form an environment of varying salinities. The salt water and the fluctuating water levels (due to tidal action) combine to create a rather difficult environment for most plants. Consequently, many shallow coastal areas are unvegetated mud flats or sand flats. Some plants, however, have successfully adapted to this environment. Certain grasses and grasslike plants that adapt to the saline conditions form the tidal salt marshes that are found along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Mangrove swamps, with salt-loving shrubs or trees, are common in tropical climates, such as in southern Florida and Puerto Rico. Some tidal freshwater wetlands form beyond the upper edges of tidal salt marshes where the influence of salt water ends. Non-Tidal wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers and streams (riparian wetlands), in isolated depressions surrounded by dry land (for example, playas, basins, and potholes), along the margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas where the groundwater intercepts the soil surface or where precipitation sufficiently saturates the soil (vernal pools and bogs). Inland wetlands include marshes and wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps dominated by shrubs, and wooded swamps dominated by trees. Many of these wetlands are seasonal (they are dry one or more seasons every year), and, particularly in the arid and semiarid West, may be wet only periodically. The quantity of water present and the timing of its presence in part determine the functions of a wetland and its role in the environment. Even wetlands that appear dry at times for significant parts of the year - such as vernal pools - often provide critical habitat for wildlife adapted to breeding exclusively in these areas.

Which of the following most nearly means “Efficient”?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Xylem and Phloem. The Xylem is responsible for transporting water and certain nutrients from the root to the rest of the plant. The Phloem carries soluble organic material, i.e. food for the plant, which is produced in the leaves by photosynthesis to the other parts of the plant. The Xylem and phloem are the two types of vascular tissues that are present in plants. They are responsible for transporting water, minerals, food and other organic materials between the roots, stems and leaves of the plant. The Xylem and phloem form vascular bundles with each other, which means that together they are responsible for the efficient transportation of food, nutrients, minerals, and water in the plant, and hence the survival of the plant. Xylem is a type of transport tissue in vascular plants that is responsible for transporting water and certain nutrients from the root to the rest of the plant. Thus, it essentially flows in one direction, that is, from the bottom up to the sky towards the top of the plant. Its main function is to effectively transport water and nutrients from the soil to the various parts of the plant. The word ‘xylem’ is derived from the Greek word ‘xylon’, meaning wood. This is because wood is the best-known xylem tissue which is found throughout the tree. Xylem is a mixture of dead and living tissues, which are non-living at the time of maturity. It is made up of tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, xylem fibres and ray parenchyma. Xylem cells are hard walled cells, which are stacked on top of each other and are mainly found in the center of the stem. Hence, xylem has another function, which is to provide mechanical support to the plant. The Xylem is surrounded by the phloem. The Phloem is the other type of transport tissue in vascular plants. Its main function is to carry soluble organic material, i.e. food for the plant, which is produced in the leaves by photosynthesis to the other parts of the plant. This process is called translocation. To do this effectively it flows both up and down the stem, unlike the xylem, which only flows up. The word ‘phloem’ is derived from the Greek word ‘phloos’, which means bark, as the phloem is the innermost layer of the bark in most trees. The Phloem is made up of sieve cells, sieve tube elements, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres, and phloem ray cells. It consists of both living and dead soft-walled cells, where the outer phloem is made up of dead cells and the inner phloem is made of living cells.

Xylem and Phloem are responsible for which function in plants?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Xylem and Phloem. The Xylem is responsible for transporting water and certain nutrients from the root to the rest of the plant. The Phloem carries soluble organic material, i.e. food for the plant, which is produced in the leaves by photosynthesis to the other parts of the plant. The Xylem and phloem are the two types of vascular tissues that are present in plants. They are responsible for transporting water, minerals, food and other organic materials between the roots, stems and leaves of the plant. The Xylem and phloem form vascular bundles with each other, which means that together they are responsible for the efficient transportation of food, nutrients, minerals, and water in the plant, and hence the survival of the plant. Xylem is a type of transport tissue in vascular plants that is responsible for transporting water and certain nutrients from the root to the rest of the plant. Thus, it essentially flows in one direction, that is, from the bottom up to the sky towards the top of the plant. Its main function is to effectively transport water and nutrients from the soil to the various parts of the plant. The word ‘xylem’ is derived from the Greek word ‘xylon’, meaning wood. This is because wood is the best-known xylem tissue which is found throughout the tree. Xylem is a mixture of dead and living tissues, which are non-living at the time of maturity. It is made up of tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, xylem fibres and ray parenchyma. Xylem cells are hard walled cells, which are stacked on top of each other and are mainly found in the center of the stem. Hence, xylem has another function, which is to provide mechanical support to the plant. The Xylem is surrounded by the phloem. The Phloem is the other type of transport tissue in vascular plants. Its main function is to carry soluble organic material, i.e. food for the plant, which is produced in the leaves by photosynthesis to the other parts of the plant. This process is called translocation. To do this effectively it flows both up and down the stem, unlike the xylem, which only flows up. The word ‘phloem’ is derived from the Greek word ‘phloos’, which means bark, as the phloem is the innermost layer of the bark in most trees. The Phloem is made up of sieve cells, sieve tube elements, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres, and phloem ray cells. It consists of both living and dead soft-walled cells, where the outer phloem is made up of dead cells and the inner phloem is made of living cells.

Phloem is made of which of the following?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the following question.

Xylem and Phloem. The Xylem is responsible for transporting water and certain nutrients from the root to the rest of the plant. The Phloem carries soluble organic material, i.e. food for the plant, which is produced in the leaves by photosynthesis to the other parts of the plant. The Xylem and phloem are the two types of vascular tissues that are present in plants. They are responsible for transporting water, minerals, food and other organic materials between the roots, stems and leaves of the plant. The Xylem and phloem form vascular bundles with each other, which means that together they are responsible for the efficient transportation of food, nutrients, minerals, and water in the plant, and hence the survival of the plant. Xylem is a type of transport tissue in vascular plants that is responsible for transporting water and certain nutrients from the root to the rest of the plant. Thus, it essentially flows in one direction, that is, from the bottom up to the sky towards the top of the plant. Its main function is to effectively transport water and nutrients from the soil to the various parts of the plant. The word ‘xylem’ is derived from the Greek word ‘xylon’, meaning wood. This is because wood is the best-known xylem tissue which is found throughout the tree. Xylem is a mixture of dead and living tissues, which are non-living at the time of maturity. It is made up of tracheids, vessels, xylem parenchyma, xylem fibres and ray parenchyma. Xylem cells are hard walled cells, which are stacked on top of each other and are mainly found in the center of the stem. Hence, xylem has another function, which is to provide mechanical support to the plant. The Xylem is surrounded by the phloem. The Phloem is the other type of transport tissue in vascular plants. Its main function is to carry soluble organic material, i.e. food for the plant, which is produced in the leaves by photosynthesis to the other parts of the plant. This process is called translocation. To do this effectively it flows both up and down the stem, unlike the xylem, which only flows up. The word ‘phloem’ is derived from the Greek word ‘phloos’, which means bark, as the phloem is the innermost layer of the bark in most trees. The Phloem is made up of sieve cells, sieve tube elements, phloem parenchyma, phloem fibres, and phloem ray cells. It consists of both living and dead soft-walled cells, where the outer phloem is made up of dead cells and the inner phloem is made of living cells.