67. Reading Skills Comprehension: Trees of Southern Asia

TREES OF SOUTHERN ASIA

Of all the trees of southern Asia, the banyan is unique, not only for the manner of its growth but for the area of shade it provides from the burning sun. Its close relationship with man has evolved over the years to make the banyan a popular meeting place, a focal point of worship and a source of practical materials for commerce.

 Known as the ‘strangler fig’ because of its unusual manner of growth, the banyan is an epiphyte or air plant that has its birth in the branches of a host tree and lives on airborne moisture and nutrients. Banyan seeds are deposited by birds, bats or monkeys in the rich soil collected in the crevices of host-tree branches.

As the banyan grows, it sends aerial roots down the trunk of the supporting tree. In time, the roots that reach the ground choke the host tree by preventing its trunk from enlarging.

 The two best-known species of banyans are the Indian (Ficusbenghalensis), one of the world’s largest tropical trees; and the Chinese (Ficusretusa), a smaller species with fewer aerial roots) Reader’s Digest

1. Based on your reading of the passage above, answer the questions given below:

(a) The banyan tree is unique in the following two ways:  

 (b) How is the banyan closely connected with the man? Give two reasons.

2. Replace the underlined words in the sentences where they are used without changing the meaning of the phrase.

 (a) burning sun ———————————-

(b) popular meeting place ————————–

3. Based on your reading of the passage above, answer the questions given below:

(a) In what ways is the banyan tree unique?                                                                                      

 (b) How does the banyan tree take birth and grow

(c) Why is the banyan tree a popular meeting place?  

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