‘Autumn leaves’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 10
Here are explanations of the Questions of passage named, ‘Autumn leaves’ which is from the Cambridge 10 book. The Questions that have been asked are ‘finding information’, ‘True/False/Not Given’, Blanks and MCQ. You will find the locations of the Reading Answers, Keywords(highlighted and underlined) and justifications.
READING PASSAGE 2: Autumn leaves
| Question | Answer |
| 14 | C |
| 15 | B |
| 16 | H |
| 17 | B |
| 18 | E |
| 19 | SUN(LIGHT) |
| 20 | UPPER |
| 21 | DRY |
| 22 | NORTH |
| 23 | FALSE |
| 24 | TRUE |
| 25 | NOT GIVEN |
| 26 | B |
Questions 14-18
The Reading Passage has nine paragraphs, A-l.
Which paragraph contains the following information?
Write the correct letter, A-l, in boxes 14-18 on your answer sheet.
NB You may use any letter more than once.
14. a description of the substance responsible for the red colouration of leaves
Location and Answer: C
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the first line of the paragraph. ‘The source of the red is widely known: it is created by anthocyanins, water-soluble plant pigments reflecting the red to blue range of the visible spectrum…’Here, this statement means that anthocyanins is a substance which is responsible for red pigmentation. Thus, the answer is C.
15. the reason why trees drop their leaves in autumn
Location and Answer: B
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the second line of the paragraph. ‘As fall approaches in the northern hemisphere, the amount of solar energy available declines considerably. For many trees – evergreen conifers being an exception – the best strategy is to abandon photosynthesis* until the spring…’This statement clarifies that trees drop their leaves in autumn because of the decline in solar energy. Thus, the answer is B.
‘Autumn leaves’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 10
16. some evidence to confirm a theory about the purpose of the red leaves
Location and Answer: H
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the first line of the paragraph. ‘Even if you had never suspected that this is what was going on when leaves turn red, there are clues out there…’ Here, ‘evidence’ and ‘clues’ means the same. Moreover, the writer states the three clues in the overall paragraph. Hence, the answer is H.
17. an explanation of the function of chlorophyll
Location and Answer: B
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the beginning of the paragraph. ‘Summer leaves are green because they are full of chlorophyll, the molecule that captures sunlight converts that energy into new building materials for the tree…’ This line states the function of chlorophyll. Thus, the answer is clear.
‘Autumn leaves’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 10
18. a suggestion that the red coloration in leaves could serve as a warning signal.
Location and Answer: E
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the first two lines of the paragraph. ‘It has also been proposed that trees may produce vivid red colors to convince herbivorous insects that they are healthy and robust and would be easily able to mount chemical defenses against infestation…’ Here, the writer means to say red color act as a warning signal as it convince herbivorous insects. Thus, the answer is E.
Questions 19-22
Complete the notes below.
Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Write your answers in boxes 19-22 on your answer sheet.
Why believe the ‘light screen’ hypothesis?
- The most vividly colored red leaves are found on the side of the tree facing the 19………………….
Location: H paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword is ‘vividly colored’ and its reference is there in the second line of the paragraph. ‘One is straightforward: on many trees, the leaves that are the reddest are those on the side of the tree which gets most sun…’ Here ‘reddest’ and ‘vividly colored red’ means the same. Thus, these are found on the side of the tree facing the sun.
Answer: Sun
- The 20………………….surfaces of leaves contain the most red pigment.
Location: H paragraph
Explanation: The location of the answer is in the third line of the paragraph. ‘Not only that, but the red is brighter on the upper side of the leaf…’ Here, ‘red is brighter on the upper side’ has been written as ‘upper surface of leaves contain the most red pigment’. Thus, the answer is clear.
Answer: Upper
‘Autumn leaves’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 10
- Red leaves are most abundant when daytime weather conditions are 21………………….and sunny.
Location: H paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword is ‘weather conditions’ and its reference is there in the fourth line of the paragraph. ‘It has also been recognized for decades that the best conditions for intense red colours are dry, sunny days and cool nights, conditions that nicely match those that make leaves susceptible to excess light…’ Here, ‘red leaves are most abundant’ and ‘intense red colours’ means the same. Thus, these are abundant when the weather is dry and sunny.
Answer: Dry
- The intensity of the red colour of leaves increases as you go further 22…………………..
Location: H paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword is ‘intensity’ and it helps to find an answer in the second last line of the paragraph. ‘And finally, trees such as maples usually get much redder the more north you travel in the northern hemisphere…’Here, ‘intensity increases…’ and ‘get much redder’ means the same. Thus, the writer states that intensity increases as we travel north.
Answer: North
Questions 23-25
Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?
In boxes 23-25 on your answer sheet, write
TRUE if the statement agrees with the information
FALSE if the statement contradicts the information
NOT GIVEN if there is no information on this
23. It is likely that the red pigments help to protect the leaf from freezing temperatures.
Location: D paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘freezing’ helps to locate an answer in the first line of the paragraph. ‘Some theories about anthocyanins have argued that they might act as a chemical defense against attacks by insects or fungi, or that they might attract fruit-eating birds or increase a leaf’s tolerance to freezing…’ Here, the question statement contradicts the passage statement. The writer states that red pigments increase a leaf’s tolerance to freezing not protect them from freezing temperature.
Answer: False
‘Autumn leaves’- Reading Answer Explanation- CAM – 10
24. The ‘light screen’ hypothesis would initially seem to contradict what is known about chlorophyll.
Location: F paragraph
Explanation: The main keyword ‘light screen’ helps to find an answer in the first two lines of the paragraph. ‘Perhaps the most plausible suggestion as to why leaves would go to the trouble of making anthocyanins when they’re busy packing up for the winter is the theory known as the ‘light screen’ hypothesis. It sounds paradoxical…’ Here, ‘paradoxical’ and ‘seem to contradict’ means the same.
Answer: True
25. Leaves which turn colors other than red are more likely to be damaged by sunlight.
Location: I paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the first two lines of the paragraph. ‘What is still not fully understood, however, is why some trees resort to producing red pigments while others don’t bother, and simply reveal their orange or yellow hues …’ Here, this statement shows that writer was in dilemma about the coloration. But there is no any confirm result which leaves are more damaged by sunlight. Thus, no information available.
Answer: Not Given
Question 26
Choose the correct letter A, B, C or D.
Write the correct letter in box 26 on your answer sheet.
For which of the following questions does the writer offer an explanation?
A why conifers remain green in winter
B how leaves turn orange and yellow in autumn
C how herbivorous insects choose which trees to lay their eggs in
D why anthocyanins are restricted to certain trees
Location: B paragraph
Explanation: The answer to this question is in the last two lines of the paragraph. ‘As chlorophyll is depleted, other colors that have been dominated by it throughout the summer begin to be revealed. This unmasking explains the autumn colors of yellow and orange…’ Here, this statement states how leaves turn orange and yellow in autumn. Thus, the answer is B.
Answer: B
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