PASSAGE 19

　　Plants in Deser

　　Only special plants can survive the terrible climate of a desert, for these are regions where the annual range of the soil temperature can be over 75℃. Furthermore, during the summer there are few clouds in the sky to protect plants from the sun's ray. Another problem is the fact that there are frequently strong winds which drive small, sharp particles of sand into the plants, tearing and damaging them. The most difficult problem for all forms of plant life, however, is the fact that the entire annual rainfall occurs during a few days or weeks in spring.

　　Grasses and flowers in desert survive from one year to the next by existing through the long, hot, dry season in the form of seeds. These seeds remain inactive unless the right amount of rain falls. If no rain falls, or if insufficient rain falls, they wait until the next year, or even still the next. Another factor that helps these plants to survive is the fact that their life cycles are short. By the time that water from the spring rains disappears --- just a few weeks after it falls-such plants no longer need any.

　　The perennials have special features which enable them to survive as plants for several years. Thus, nearly all desert perennials have extensive root systems below ground and a small shoot system above ground. The large root network enables the plant to absorb as much water as possible in a short time. The small shoot system, on the other hand, considerably limits water loss by evaporation.

　　Another feature of many desert perennials is that after the rainy season they lose their leaves in preparation for the long, dry season, just as trees in wetter climates lose theirs in preparation for the winter. This reduces their water loss by evaporation during the dry season. Then, in next rainy season, they come fully alive once more, and grow new branches, leaves and flowers, just as the grasses and flowers in desert do.

　　EXERCISE:

　　1. Ordinary plants are unable to survive in the desert mainly because of the changeable weather.

　　A) True B) False C) Not mentioned

　　2. Grasses and flowers in desert are able to survive because they stay in the form of seeds to wait for the right amount of water to come.

　　A) True B) False C) Not mentioned

　　3. Grasses and flowers in the desert whose life cycles are short shows their ability to adapt to the quick disappearance of rainwater there after it falls in spring.

　　A) True B) False C) Not mentioned

　　4. Winter is the toughest season for grasses and flowers to survive.

　　A) True B) False C) Not mentioned

　　5. The shoot system of perennials can help the plants absorb less of the sun's ray.

　　A) True B) False C) Not mentioned

　　6. The theme of the second last paragraph is why the perennials can survive as plants for several years.

　　A) True B) False C) Not mentioned

　　7. Desert perennials lose their leaves after the rainy season just lose theirs in wetter climates before winter arrives, but the reasons for this feature are different.

　　A) True B) False C) Not mentioned

　　Key: BABCAAB

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