How the Cactus Survives
Written by Studio AM.
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A desert can go months, even years, without rain. Under a burning sun, most plants would dry out and die. Yet a desert cactus can thrive there. Over many generations, desert cacti have developed features that help them collect and store water.
Its thick, rounded stem works like a tank. When rain finally comes, the stem swells and fills, storing water for the dry months ahead. A waxy skin covers the plant and seals that water in, so little escapes into the hot air.
Most plants have wide, flat leaves, but wide leaves lose water fast. The cactus has traded its leaves for sharp spines. The spines lose almost no water, and they guard the juicy stem from thirsty animals.
Shallow roots spread out wide, just under the surface, ready to drink in any rain before it sinks away. These features help many desert cacti manage a scarce supply of water, alongside other needs such as growth and reproduction.
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Questions
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Question 1 of 4
What is the main idea of the passage?
The answer is A: How cactus features save water
Each feature of the cactus is shown to serve one goal: saving water.
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Question 2 of 4
According to the text, what does the cactus have instead of wide, flat leaves?
The answer is B: Sharp spines
The text says "the cactus has traded its leaves for sharp spines."
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Question 3 of 4
Why does the cactus have shallow roots that spread out wide?
The answer is B: To drink in rain quickly before it sinks away
The text says the roots are "ready to drink in any rain before it sinks away."
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Question 4 of 4
In this passage, “thrive” most nearly means
The answer is B: grows well and strong
Thrive means grow well or do well in the conditions, rather than merely stay alive.
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