1.________know that there are more than 335,000 different 2. _______ of plants. Actually, if we travelled all over the 3_______ we could see more different kinds of plants than these, but some of these are merely 4.________, as much as dogs are merely different 5.______of one basic kind of animal.
The simplest plants found in the 6.______ are one-celled 7.______and algae, and 8. ._______. that are like the moulds often seen growing on bread and 9._________.
The next group of relatively simple 10.________includes the mosses and lichens that are found in11.________, on bare 12.________, on rooftops, and elsewhere. Some of these plants have 13_______ and leaves, but no roots. After that, the next group includes ferns and bracken. Finally, there is the group of 14._______ plants. Such plants include our common 15. _______and vegetables, and most trees, 16.______ and flowers.
II. PLANTS. Choose the right answer.
1. The little boy climbed up the tree and sat on a ________.
a) branch b) root c) twig d) trunk
2. I think the birds must have eaten all the seeds I ______ last month!
a) sawed b) sewed c) showed d) sowed
3. They spent the afternoon _______ blackberries in the wood.
a) cutting b) gaining c) picking d) taking
4. It was spring, and the flowers were _______.
a) coming out b) going out c) growing up d) raising
5. It is difficult to grow good vegetables in the poor ______ in this area.
a) crust b) dirt c) soil d) strand
6. You will have to ______ those apple trees if you want a good crop of apples next summer.
a) cut b) fell c) prune d) wash
7. If _____in March, they should give a host of splendid blooms a few months later.
a) dug b) earthed c) installed d) planted
8. You will need a strong ______ if you are going to dig that hard ground.
a) hoe b) ladle c) rake d) spade
9. You should plant ______ in the autumn if you want the flowers to appear in the spring.
a) bulbs b) roots c) stalks d) twigs
10. There is a ________of plant which is found only in this particular area.
a) breed b) class c) specimen d) species
11. Sugar is more expensive now because there was a very poor sugar-beet ________last year.
a) collection b) crop c) gathering d) production
12. The flowers in this vase have _________.
a) dimmed b) dulled c) faded d) shaded
13. I want some roses with nice long ________, please.
a) branches b) feet c) stems d) trunks
14. Why don't you _______ some flower seeds in that patch of ground by the garden gate?
a) bed b) dig c) set d) sow
15. He stood up and leant against the ______ of the tree.
a) body b) figure c) root d) trunk
16. You shouldn't hack the ______off trees. They might die.
a) bark b) crust c) peel d) rind
17. ______ grows only in a hot climate.
a) Cotton b) Linen c) Silk d) Wool
18. There are a lot of red ______ on that holly bush.
a) acorns b) berries c) currants d) nuts
19. The corn was not ready for cutting as the ears were still ______.
a) undeveloped b) unprepared c) unripe d) unsteady
20. Some trees _________their leaves in winter.
a) fell b) leave c) shed d) throw
III. PLANTS. Put each of the following words into its correct place in the passage below.
agriculture bright darkness enormous
environment horticulture hot imaginable
naked pine science seaweed
small snow yeast