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Minerals （inorganic (often crystalline) compounds）and Plants （small vegetable growth）

Research has shown that certain minerals are required by plants for normal growth and development. The

soil is the source of these minerals, which are absorbed （suck up; take up, take in） by the plant with the water from the soil.

Even nitrogen, which is a gas in its elemental （natural） state, is normally absorbed from the soil as nitrate ions(salt or ester of nitric acid{ oxidizing chemical compound that also contains nitrogen }). Some soils are notoriously

deficient in micro nutrients and are therefore unable to support most plant life. So-called serpentine soils, for

example, are deficient in calcium, and only plants able to tolerate low levels of this mineral can survive. In

modern agriculture(raising of crops and livestock), mineral depletion of soils is a major concern, since harvesting crops interrupts the recycling of nutrients back to the soil.

arrogation

n. taking of something unjustly

irrigation

n. act or process of artificially supplying an area land with water; application of liquid to a part of the body to cleanse or disinfect (Medicine)

nitrogen

n. colorless odorless gas, dominant element in the atmosphere, non-metallic element used in the production of fertilizers and explosives (Chemistry)

elemental

adj. simple; basic; of the four basic elements of nature

the four elements Earth, Water, Air, and Fire

THE FOUR ELEMENTS

In ancient times, considerable note was made of understanding the elements, for these were considered the building bricks of the Universe, and hence many believed that these were also part of the basic structure of themselves.

The Wise Beings of those times saw themselves as a reflection of the universe. They studied the stars and nature, and used the information they gleened, as a method of understanding their Creator and themselves.

All of us now live amongst nature, even those in towns and cities, and most of us are quietened by walking in the countryside or along the seashore.

Few of us take the time to really study it, yet if we care to follow these ancient beliefs, we may find that nature itself holds the key to much inner knowledge of our own nature, and the part we play in the great Cosmic Plan.

Every day we warm ourselves by Fire,

Wash ourselves in Water,

Feel the Wind in our hair,

Walk upon the Earth.

Yet many would be astounded to realise that those same elements could be interpreted as also functioning within ourselves. We are all made by the same laws, and these elements are not only felt around us, but can very certainly be seen to express themselves in many ways within our nature.

Because of this, the elements are considered by some to be very important and, by analogy, can be compared as follows:-

Air = Thought

Fire = Desire

Water = Emotions

Earth = Stability

There are many sayings that have arisen from this, and it is by no accident that we hear of such things as:-

Cool breeze of reason (AIR)

Flames of Passion (FIRE)

Swamped by emotion (WATER)

Solid as a rock (EARTH)

And there are many more analogies ,if we care to think about it.

The more we study nature, and compare it with ourselves, the more we can perhaps learn to know and understand each other, and the uniqueness of our own individuality.

Have you ever wondered why we say

"God the Father", and call the world we live upon "Mother Earth"?

Nature could be considered as the Bride and reflection of Creation

The Father the Creator,

The Mother the Nurturer of all in manifestation (fastidious) upon the Earth - both working in perfect polarity.

We are told that that everything in nature is made up of the 4 basic elements, and it is worth looking at how this can affect us too - as we will discover on the following pages.

Mineral deficiencies can often be detected by specific symptoms / syndrome such as chlorosis/ chlorophyll/ chlorosis (loss of chlorophyll

resulting in yellow or white leaf tissue), necrosis / necro: dead: necrophile (isolated dead patches), anthocyanin formation : (development of deep red pigmentation of leaves or stem), stunted growth, and development of woody tissue in an herbaceous

plant. Soils are most commonly deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen-deficient plants exhibit many of

the symptoms just described. Leaves develop chlorosis; stems are short and slender, and anthocyanin

discoloration occurs on stems, petioles, and lower leaf surfaces. Phosphorus-deficient plants are often stunted (stunt / astound / stout / stud/ tout),

with leaves turning a characteristic dark green, often with the accumulation of anthocyanin. Typically, older

leaves are affected first as the phosphorus is mobilized to young growing tissue. Iron deficiency is characterized

by chlorosis between veins in young leaves.

antho-flower / cyanin /"sʌɪənɪn/ n. M19. [f. CYAN- + -IN¹.] Chem. A violet anthocyanin present as a pigment in many flowers, e.g. cornflower, dahlia, violet.

Much of the research on nutrient deficiencies is based on growing plants hydroponically, that is, in soilless

liquid nutrient solutions. This technique allows researchers to create solutions that selectively omit certain

nutrients and then observe the resulting effects on the plants. Hydroponics has applications beyond basic

research, since it facilitates the growing of greenhouse vegetables during winter. Aeroponics, a technique in which

plants are suspended and the roots misted with a nutrient solution, is another method for growing plants without

soil.

hydroponics

■  plural noun [treated as sing.] the process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid, with added nutrients but without soil.

Solution:　     a liquid mixture in which the minor component (the solute) is uniformly distributed within the major component (the solvent).

While mineral deficiencies can limit the growth of plants, an overabundance of certain minerals can be toxic / poisonous / venomous

and can also limit growth. Saline (salt / alkaline:alkali n. soluble base, any of a class of bases which neutralize acids to form salts (Chemistry)

) soils, which have high concentrations of sodium chloride and other salts, limit

plant growth, and research continues to focus on developing salt-tolerant varieties of agricultural crops. Research

has focused on the toxic effects of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and aluminum; however, even

copper and zinc, which are essential elements, can become toxic in high concentrations. Although most plants

cannot survive in these soils, certain plants have the ability to tolerate high levels of these minerals.

Scientists have known for some time that certain plants, called hyperaccumulators, can concentrate minerals

at levels a hundredfold or greater than normal. A survey of known hyperaccumulators identified that 75 percent

of them amassed nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese, lead, and cadmium are other minerals of choice.

Hyperaccumulators run the entire range of the plant world. They may be herbs, shrubs, or trees. Many members

of the mustard / monster /family, spurge family, legume family, and grass family are top hyperaccumulators. Many are found

in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, where accumulation of high concentrations of metals may afford

some protection against plant-eating insects and microbial pathogens.

Kingdom, division , class, order, family , genius , species (species / species / species)

Mercury, Venus , Earth, Mars, Jupiter , Saturn, Uranus, Neptune , play

Only recently have investigators considered using these plants to clean up soil and waste sites that have been

contaminated by toxic levels of heavy metals–an environmentally friendly approach known as phytoremediation: phyto: plant phytobiology

.

This scenario begins with the planting of hyperaccumulating species in the target area, such as an abandoned

mine or an irrigation pond contaminated by runoff (excess liquid that drains or flows into streams). Toxic minerals would first be absorbed by roots but later

relocated to the stem and leaves. A harvest of the shoots would remove the toxic compounds off site to be burned

or composted to recover the metal for industrial uses. After several years of cultivation and harvest, the site would

be restored at a cost much lower than the price of excavation and reburial, the standard practice for remediation

of contaminated soils. For examples, in field trials, the plant alpine pennycress removed zinc and cadmium from

soils near a zinc smelter, and Indian mustard, native to Pakistan and India, has been effective in reducing levels

of selenium salts by 50 percent in contaminated soils.

compost

n. decayed organic matter or dung used for fertilizing land

field trial

1 : a trial of sporting dogs in actual performance
2 : a trial of a new product in actual situations for which it is intended

smelter

n. establishment for smelting, place where metal is obtained by melting or fusing ore; one who smelts ore

Paragraph 1: Research has shown that certain minerals are required by plants for normal growth and

development. The soil is the source of these minerals, which are absorbed by the plant with the water from the

soil. Even nitrogen, which is a gas in its elemental state, is normally absorbed from the soil as nitrate ions. Some

soils are notoriously deficient in micro nutrients and are therefore unable to support most plant l ife. So-called

serpentine soils, for example, are deficient in calcium, and only plants able to tolerate low levels of this mineral

can survive. In modern agriculture, mineral depletion of soils is a major concern, since harvesting crops

interrupts the recycling of nutrients back to the soil.

1. According to paragraph 1, what is true of plants that can grow in serpentine soil?

○They absorb micronutrients unusually well.

○They require far less calcium than most plants do.

○They are able to absorb nitrogen in its elemental state.

○They are typically crops raised for food.

Paragraph 2: Mineral deficiencies can often be detected by specific symptoms such as chlorosis (loss of

chlorophyll resulting in yellow or white leaf tissue), necrosis (isolated dead patches), anthocyanin formation

(development of deep red pigmentation of leaves or stem), stunted growth, and development of woody tissue in

an herbaceous plant. Soils are most commonly deficient in nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen-deficient plants

exhibit many of the symptoms just described. Leaves develop chlorosis; stems are short and slender, and

anthocyanin discoloration occurs on stems, petioles, and lower leaf surfaces. Phosphorus-deficient plants are

often stunted, with leaves turning a characteristic dark green, often with the accumulation of anthocyanin.

Typically, older leaves are affected first as the phosphorus is mobilized to young growing tissue. Iron deficiency is

characterized by chlorosis between veins in young leaves.

2. The word ―exhibit‖ in the passage is closest in meaning to

○fight off

○show

○cause

○spread

3. According to paragraph 2, which of the following symptoms occurs in phosphorus-deficient plants but not

in plants deficient in nitrogen or iron?

○Chlorosis on leaves

○Change in leaf pigmentation to a dark shade of green

○Short, stunted appearance of stems

○Reddish pigmentation on the leaves or stem

4. According to paragraph 2, a symptom of iron deficiency is the presence in young leaves of

○deep red discoloration between the veins

○white or yellow tissue between the veins

○dead spots between the veins

○characteristic dark green veins

Paragraph 3: Much of the research on nutrient deficiencies is based on growing plants hydroponically, that is,

in soilless liquid nutrient solutions. This technique allows researchers to create solutions that selectively omit

certain nutrients and then observe the resulting effects on the plants. Hydroponics has applications beyond basic

research, since it facilitates the growing of greenhouse vegetables during winter. Aeroponics, a technique in which

plants are suspended and the roots misted with a nutrient solution, is another method for growing plants without

soil.

5. The word ―facilitates‖ in the passage is closest in meaning to

○slows down

○affects

○makes easier

○focuses on

6. According to paragraph 3, what is the advantage of hydroponics for research on nutrient deficiencies in

plants?

○It allows researchers to control what nutrients a plant receives.

○It allows researchers to observe the growth of a large number of plants simultaneously.

○It is possible to directly observe the roots of plants.

○It is unnecessary to keep misting plants with nutrient solutions.

7. The word ―suspended‖ in the passage is closest in meaning to

○grown

○protected

○spread out

○hung

Paragraph 5: Scientists have known for some time that certain plants, called hyperaccumulators, can

concentrate minerals at levels a hundredfold or greater than normal. A survey of known hyperaccumulators

identified that 75 percent of them amassed nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese, lead, and cadmium are other

minerals of choice. Hyperaccumulators run the entire range of the plant world. They may be herbs, shrubs, or

trees. Many members of the mustard family, spurge family, legume family, and grass family are top

hyperaccumulators. Many are found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, where accumulation of high

concentrations of metals may afford some protection against plant-eating insects and microbial pathogens.

8. Why does the author mention ―herbs‖, ―shrubs‖, and ―trees‖?

○To provide examples of plant types that cannot tolerate high levels of harmful minerals.

○To show why so many plants are hyperaccumulators.

○To help explain why hyperaccumulators can be found in so many different places.

○To emphasize that hyperaccumulators occur in a wide range of plant types.

9. The word ―afford‖ in the passage is closest in meaning to

○offer

○prevent

○increase

○remove

Paragraph 6: Only recently have investigators considered using these plants to clean up soil and waste sites

that have been contaminated by toxic levels of heavy metals–an environmentally friendly approach known as

phytoremediation. This scenario begins with the planting of hyperaccumulating species in the target area, such as

an abandoned mine or an irrigation pond contaminated by runoff. Toxic minerals would first be absorbed by

roots but later relocated to the stem and leaves. A harvest of the shoots would remove the toxic compounds off

site to be burned or composted to recover the metal for industrial uses. After several years of cultivation and

harvest, the site would be restored at a cost much lower than the price of excavation and reburial, the standard

practice for remediation of contaminated soils. For examples, in field trials, the plant alpine pennycress removed

zinc and cadmium from soils near a zinc smelter, and Indian mustard, native to Pakistan and India, has been

effective in reducing levels of selenium salts by 50 percent in contaminated soi ls.

10. Which of the sentences below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in the

passage? Incorrect choices change the meaning in important ways or leave out essential information.

○Before considering phytoremediation, hyperaccumulating species of plants local to the target area must

be identified.

○The investigation begins with an evaluation of toxic sites in the target area to determine the extent of

contamination.

○The first step in phytoremediation is the planting of hyperaccumulating plants in the area to be cleaned

up.

○Mines and irrigation ponds can be kept from becoming contaminated by planting hyperaccumulating

species in targeted areas.

11. It can be inferred from paragraph 6 that compared with standard practices for remediation of

contaminated soils, phytoremediation

○does not allow for the use of the removed minerals for industrial purposes

○can be faster to implement

○is equally friendly to the environment

○is less suitable for soils that need to be used within a short period of time

12. Why does the author mention ―Indian mustard‖?

○To warn about possible risks involved in phytoremediation

○To help illustrate the potential of phytoremediation

○To show that hyperaccumulating plants grow in many regions of the world

○To explain how zinc contamination can be reduced

Paragraph 5: Scientists have known for some time that certain plants, called hyperaccumulators, can

concentrate minerals at levels a hundredfold or greater than normal. ■A survey of known hyperaccumulators

identified that 75 percent of them amassed nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, manganese, lead, and cadmium are other

minerals of choice.■Hyperaccumulators run the entire range of the plant world. ■They may be herbs, shrubs, or

trees. ■Many members of the mustard family, spurge family, legume family, and grass family are top

hyperaccumulators. Many are found in tropical and subtropical areas of the world, where accumulation of high

concentrations of metals may afford some protection against plant-eating insects and microbial pathogens.

13. Look at the four squares [■] that indicate where the following sentence could be added to the passage.

Certain minerals are more likely to be accumulated in large quantities than others

Where could the sentence best fit?

14. Directions: An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided belo

the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the pa

answer choices do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in th

are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

Plants need to absorb certain minerals from the soil in adequate quantities for normal growth and

development.

●

●

●

Answer Choices

○Some plants are able to accumulate extremely high levels of certain minerals and thus can be used to clean

up soils contaminated with toxic levels of these minerals.

○Though beneficial in lower levels, high levels of salts, other minerals, and heavy metals can be harmful to

plants.

○When plants do not absorb sufficient amounts of essential minerals, characteristic abnormalities result.

○Because high concentrations of sodium chloride and other salts limit growth in most plants, much research

has been done in an effort to develop salt-tolerant agricultural crops.

○Some plants can tolerate comparatively low levels of certain minerals, but such plants are of little use for

recycling nutrients back into depleted soils.

○Mineral deficiencies in many plants can be cured by misting their roots with a nutrient solution or by

transferring the plants to a soilless nutrient solution.

参考答案：

1.○2

2.○2

3.○2

4.○2  

5.○3

6.○1

7.○4

8.○4

9.○1

10.○3

11.○4

12.○2

13.○1

14. Some plants are able to  

Though beneficial in lower…

When plants do not…