Reading Passage Question
Sunflowers are made up of two families, and they provide the bees with both pollen and nectar. Each family is readily grown from seed, but you may find some nurseries that carry them as potted plants. When you start sunflowers early in the season, make sure you use peat pots. They are rapid growers that transplant better when you leave their roots undisturbed by planting the entire pot. Helianthus annuus include the well-known giant sunflower as well as many varieties of dwarf and multi-branched types. Sunflowers no longer are only tall and yellow. They come in a wide assortment of sizes (from 2 to 12 feet) as well as a range of colors (from white to rust). There are several varieties with a mixture of colors. Watch out for the hybrid that is pollenless because it is of little use to the bees. Several varieties will easily selfseed, even in the cold Northeast.
Solution and Explanation
- According to the passage, why should some hybrid sunflowers be avoided?
(A) They are difficult to grow from seed.
(B) They do not self-seed as regularly as other varieties.
(C) They do not produce pollen and thus do not attract bees.
(D) They do not look like more typical sunflowers.
(E) Their color variation is broad and unpredictable.
Answer: C
Explanation: Although hybrid sunflowers are available in a variety of colours and sizes, the passage clearly warns its readers to avoid or stay clear of them since they do not bear any pollen grains and nectar and hence, do not attract or entice the bees.
- Which of the following statements most accurately captures the main point of the passage?
(A) Sunflowers do not always produce pollen.
(B) Everyone should grow a variety of sunflowers in their garden.
(C) Sunflowers are no longer only tall and yellow.
(D) The widely-loved sunflower is more complex than you may know.
(E) Sunflowers are easy to grow.
Answer: D
Explanation: The main theme of the passage is sunflowers and its significance to the bees for pollen grains and nectar. The passage elaborates about the two types or families of sunflowers, in general, and the process of growing them artificially in pots made of peat and nurseries. It also throws light on the giant sunflower – Helianthus annuus – and its many variations with respect to both color and size. It also warns all its readers to stay away from hybrid sunflowers since they do not bear any pollen and hence, do not entice the bees.
- Based on the information given in this passage, it can reasonably be inferred that the author would most like agree with which of the following statements?
(A) Gardens should feature a wide variety of plants.
(B) A principal reason for maintaining a garden is to provide pollen for bees.
(C) No garden is complete without sunflowers.
(D) Gardeners should know the Latin names and other characteristics of flowers they grow.
(E) Hybrid plants are an environmental hazard.
Answer: B
Explanation: The passage elaborates upon sunflowers and its different varieties with respect to species, color and size. At the beginning of the passage, the author mentions its significance for the bees – which extract both pollen and nectar from sunflowers – to all its readers. Similarly, the passage ends with a warning about the need to avoid the planting of hybrid sunflowers due to their inability to bear pollen grains and consequently, its insignificance for the bees. Thus, the author would definitely agree that the prime significance of planting sunflowers in a garden is to provide pollen and nectar to the bees.
- Based on the sentences [Highlighted], which of the following could be inferred about the author’s attitude towards bees?
(A) The author feels that they are an important part of the ecosystem.
(B) The author dislikes bees and would like to see them eliminated.
(C) The author has no particular animus towards bees but is aware that many people are deeply allergic to their stings.
(D) The author feels that bees are more important than human beings.
(E) The author esteems bees.
Answer: A
Explanation: The entire passage deals with sunflowers and its different varieties with respect to colour, species and height. In fact, the author also emphasises the importance of sunflowers for the sustenance of bees since the latter is dependent on them for both pollen and nectar. As a result, the author requests and warns its readers to stay away from hybrid sunflowers which, despite having more variety with respect to colour and size, is of little significance to the bees due to their incapability to bear pollens and nectar. As a result, they might prove to be harmful for the sustenance of the bees, in general.
- Which of the following is the most likely reason the author included this advice: “When you start sunflowers early in the season, make sure you use peat pots.”?
(A) The author has a sponsorship deal with the makers of peat pots.
(B) The author’s experience in trying to transplant sunflowers has taught him that using peat pots is a smart move.
(C) Most readers will never have heard of a peat pot.
(D) Peat pots have been around for hundreds of years; older ways are usually best.
(E) Peat pots often cost twice what a clay pot costs.
Answer: B
Explanation: The main theme of the passage is sunflowers and its different variations. The passage also elaborates upon the process of planting sunflowers and advises its readers to make use of peat pots for planting sunflowers, especially in cases where the readers are planting the sunflowers quite early in the season. According to the author, this will help the sunflowers to not only transplant in a better way but also promote their rapid growth since their roots would be left undamaged during the entire process.
“Sunflowers are made up of two families, and they provide the bees with”- is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.
This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 5 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for the purpose of testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions
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