Page 1

PASSAGE 10

Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to indicate the

correct answer to each of the questions.

Fungi are a group of organisms that, despite being plants, have no leaves or flowers. In fact, fungi do

not even share the green colour that most other plants display. Scientists estimate that there are over 1.5

million different species of fungi in the world. Though, to date, only 100.000 have been identified,

leaving many more that have not been found. One interesting feature of fungi is that they often interact

with oilier organisms in order to survive. These relationships are at times beneficial to both organisms.

Other times, the fungus benefits without causing harm to the other organism.

Many types of fungus have beneficial relationships with plants. Initially many gardeners would be

concerned to know that their plants were colonised by a fungus. This is because some fungi can cause

plants to die. In fact, the Irish potato famine was caused by a fungus that killed entire crops of potatoes.

However, many plants actually depend on certain types of fungi to help it stay healthy. Fungi are

important to plants because they help plants absorb more minerals from the soil than they could on their

own. The reason for this has to do with how fungi obtain food. Unlike green plants, fungi cannot make

their own food. They must absorb their food. When the fungi absorb minerals from the soil, they draw

the nutrients closer to the roots of the plants, so the plant is able to use them as well. The fungus also

benefits from this relationship. Using the minerals from the soil, as well as sunlight, the plants is able to

produce sugars and other nutrients. Then the fungus absorbs the nutrients from plant roots and uses them

to survive.

Not all relationships are beneficial for both organisms: in some interactions, only the fungus benefits.

Still, for some fungus species, contact with other organisms is essential. And though the fungi do not

provide any benefits for the other organism, they do not harm it either. One example of this is a species

called Pilobolus. This fungus relies on other animals to help it reproduce. The Pilobolus grows in animal

dung. When it becomes mature, it shoots its spores away from the dung pile. The spores land in the grass

where cows graze. The spores are consumed by the animal but do not grow while inside the stomach.

They travel through the body of the animal until they are passed and deposited in another area, where they

continue to grow.

Question 1. It can be inferred from paragraph 1 that

A. Many species of fungi have yet to be discovered

B. Fungi do harm to the organism they interact with

C. Fungi can have green or dull brown colors

D. There are 100,000 species of fungi left no identity

Question 2. The word "absorb" in the passage 2 is closest in meaning to

.

A. consume

B. get in

C. deprive

D. take in

Question 3. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is not true about fungus growing on or

near plants?

A. It can help maintain in the plant’s health

B. It neither benefits nor harms the plant

.

C. It is sometimes dangerous for plants.

D. It grows near the roots of the plant.

Question 4. The word "them" in the passage 2 refers to

.

A. minerals

B. plant roots

C. fungi

D. nutrients