Farmers might think the idea of growing food for fun sounds strange． But there are some people who do it all the time． They grow some vegetables because their natural color or shape is pleasing to see． They grow others because scientists have developed new colors or different sizes for traditional vegetables．
One example is the bell pepper． Seed companies sell seeds for several different kinds of bell peppers． One pepper is a weak yellow color when it begins to grow． Then its color changes to white． As it grows， it changes color two more times ﹣ to orange， then red． If you are not interested in peppers that change colors as they grow， you can grow some that remain on color． Each kind of pepper has its own special taste．
Another unusual plant is known as the yard﹣long bean or snake bean． It grows up to one meter in length． It is an important part of the food supply in areas of Asia． American farmers like it because it is different， yet tastes very much like the green beans they traditionally grow． Each bean has from ten to twenty seeds． The outside or pod can be eaten． Some of the very long beans are green outside but have black﹣and﹣white or red seeds．
Gourds （葫芦） are plants that people like to grow because of their many different shapes． They also have many uses． Some round gourds are dried， painted and made into containers． Others have long necks and big bodies． These are dried， cut and made into containers to pour drinking water．
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE ．
A. The new kinds of vegetables can sell better than the traditional ones．
B. Asian are fond of snake bean because of its different colors．
C. American farmers like bell pepper because of its different tastes．
D. People are willing to grow gourds due to their various shapes and functions．
2. People grow the bell pepper mainly to enjoy its ．
A. shapes
B. colors
C. flavors
D. vitamins
3. Which is the best title for the passage？
A. Growing Unusual Vegetables for Fun
B. Growing Food with Different Purposes
C. Growing different vegetables has different purposes
D. Farmers' Strange Ideas of Growing Food
【答案】1. D 2. B 3. A
【解析】
这是一篇说明文。但有一些人这样做。他们种植一些蔬菜,因为他们的自然颜色或形状是令人愉悦的。他们种植其他人因为科学家已经开发出新的颜色或大小不同传统的蔬菜。且文章列举中了三种种来娱乐的植物。
【1题详解】
细节理解题。最后一段第一句话“Gourds （葫芦） are plants that people like to grow because of their many different shapes. They also have many uses．”可知人们喜欢种植葫芦是因为它们有许多不同的形状和用途，故选D。
【2题详解】
推理判断题。根据第二段“As it grows，it changes color two more times ﹣ to orange， then red．”（随着它的生长，颜色再变两次﹣﹣变为橙色，再变为红色。）可知bell pepper生长过程中会不断变化颜色，故可推测人们种植bell pepper主要是为了欣赏它不断变化的颜色，故选B。
【3题详解】
主旨大意题。根据文章第一段Farmers might think the idea of growing food for fun sounds strange． But there are some people who do it all the time．农民们可能会觉得种植食物来娱乐听起来很奇怪．但是有些人总是这么做。下文举例讲述人们种植可供娱乐的植物，故选A。
