TOEFL IELTS Reading Exercise 03

Parasitic Plants
(Level - Medium)

1      Parasitic plants are plants that survive by using food produced by host plants rather than by producing their own food from the Sun’s energy. Because they do not need sunlight to survive, parasitic plants are generally found in umbrageous areas rather than in areas exposed to direct sunlight. Parasitic plants attach themselves to host plants, often to the stems or roots, by means of haustoria, which the parasite uses to make its way into the food channels of the host plant and absorb the nutrients that it needs to survive from the host plant.

2     The world’s heaviest flower, a species of Rafflesia, is a parasite that flourishes among, and lives off of, the roots of jungle vines. Each of these ponderous blooms can weigh up to 15 pounds (7 kg) and can measure up to 3 feet (1 m) across.

1. The word "umbrageous" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
a) moist
b) well lit
c) shaded
d) buried

2. "Haustoria" in paragraph 1 are most likely:
a) offshoots from the parasite
b) seeds of the host plant
c) fruits from the host plant
d) food for the parasite


3. The phrase "make its way into" in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to
a) outline
b) eat
c) develops
d) penetrate

4. The word "ponderous" in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
a) smelly
b) hidden
c) mature
d) heavy

5. The word "across" in paragraph 2 could best be replaced by
a) in diameter
b) on the other side
c) at a distance
d) inside and out

Answer key: 1.C 2.A 3.D 4.D 5.A

More Exercise:
TOEFL Reading Exercise 04