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Information and IdeasEasyMain idea about a plant's timing

Information and Ideas practice question

Dandelion clocks — the round seed heads children blow on — open only in dry weather. On damp mornings the head stays closed, and the seeds stay put; on a dry afternoon it opens fully, and the first breeze carries the seeds away. The plant, in effect, waits for flying conditions.

Which choice best states the main idea of the text?

  1. A. Dandelion seed heads open only in conditions that will carry the seeds away.Correct
  2. B. Dandelion seeds are spread mainly by children.
  3. C. Dandelions grow best in damp weather.
  4. D. Dandelion seed heads never open.

Answer: A. Dandelion seed heads open only in conditions that will carry the seeds away.

Closed when damp, open when dry and breezy — the text's point is the plant's timing, summed up in 'waits for flying conditions'.

Why the other answers are wrong

B. Dandelion seeds are spread mainly by children.
Children blowing on the heads are mentioned in passing; the wind does the spreading.
C. Dandelions grow best in damp weather.
The text is about seed dispersal, not growth, and damp keeps the head closed.
D. Dandelion seed heads never open.
The head opens fully on a dry afternoon.

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