Wangari Maathai and the Trees
Written by Studio AM.
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Wangari Maathai grew up in rural Kenya and later studied biology in the United States. Back in Kenya, she listened to women describe problems in their communities. Streams were drying up, food was harder to obtain, and collecting firewood took longer.
In 1977, she founded the Green Belt Movement through the National Council of Women of Kenya. The movement encouraged women to grow seedlings, plant trees and care for them. Small payments for surviving trees helped support this work. Over time, participants planted tens of millions of trees.
Maathai also challenged the destruction of public green spaces and spoke up for democratic rights. Her campaigns brought conflict with the authorities. She was arrested and physically attacked, but continued organising and speaking publicly.
In 2004, she became the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The award recognised her environmental work alongside her efforts for democracy and peace. Her story connects practical work in local communities with wider political change.
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Question 1 of 4
What is the main idea of the passage?
The answer is B: Maathai linked community tree planting with environmental protection and democratic rights.
The passage follows the local tree-planting work and Maathai's wider public campaigns. Both are part of the recognition described at the end.
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Question 2 of 4
According to the passage, what did the women receive for their work?
The answer is C: A small payment for each tree that lived
The payments were linked to surviving trees, not simply the number planted.
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Question 3 of 4
Why might paying for surviving trees encourage more than planting alone?
The answer is A: It gives participants a reason to care for the trees after planting.
A tree must survive for the payment to follow. That gives ongoing care a practical value as well as the initial planting.
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Question 4 of 4
In the passage, what are 'seedlings'?
The answer is D: Very young plants
The movement grows seedlings and plants them as trees. A seedling is a very young plant.
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