The Moonflower and Its Night Visitor
Written by Studio AM.
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As evening cools, a moonflower opens a pale, trumpet-shaped bloom. Its strong scent spreads through the dark. These features attract night-flying visitors, including large moths that can reach nectar deep inside the flower.
A moth approaches by following odor and visual contrast. It hovers near the bloom and unrolls a long feeding tube called a proboscis. As the moth drinks, its head or body brushes the flower's pollen. At another bloom, some pollen may touch the receptive surface that enables fertilization.
The exchange can benefit both organisms. The moth seeks food; the flower's traits make pollen transfer more likely. A visitor may take nectar without carrying useful pollen, and weather can keep moths away.
Moonflowers also have a limited schedule. Individual blooms often open for one night and close after morning arrives. Timing scent, pale color, nectar, and flower shape around nocturnal animals concentrates the plant's effort. Pollination is therefore more likely when the moth's feeding time overlaps with the flower's brief opening.
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Questions
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Question 1 of 4
What is the main idea of the passage?
The answer is C: Moonflowers use nighttime scent, color, shape, and timing to increase pollen transfer by visiting moths.
The passage links coordinated flower traits with moth behavior while noting the interaction is not guaranteed.
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Question 2 of 4
Why is the flower pale and strongly scented?
The answer is D: Those traits help nocturnal visitors locate it in darkness.
The opening and conclusion connect visual contrast and scent with night-active animals.
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Question 3 of 4
What is a “proboscis”?
The answer is A: a moth’s long feeding tube
The second paragraph directly names the unrolled feeding tube as a proboscis.
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Question 4 of 4
How long does an individual bloom often remain open?
The answer is B: for one night
The final paragraph says individual blooms often open for one night.
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