READING 02

It has long been known that when exposed to light under suitable conditions of temperature
and moisture, the green parts of plants use carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release
oxygen to it. These exchanges are the opposite of those that occur in respiration. The process
is called photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, carbonhydrates are synthesized from carbon
dioxide and water by the chloroplasts of plant cells in the presence of light. In most plants, the
water used in photosynthesis is absorbed from the soil by the roots and translocated through
the xylem of the root and stem to the leaves. Except for the usually small percentage used in
respiration, the oxygen released in the process diffuses out of the leaf into the atmosphere
through the stomates. Oxygen is the product of the reaction. For each molecule of carbon
dioxide used, one molecule of oxygen is released. A summary chemical equation for
photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O = C6 H12 O6 + 6O2
As a result of this process, radiant energy from the sun is stored as chemical energy. In turn,
the chemical energy is used to decompose carbon dioxide and water. The products of their
decomposition are recombined into a new compound, which is successively built up into
more and more complex substances. After many intermediate steps, sugar is produced. At the
same time, a balance of gases is preserved in the atmosphere.
1. Which title best expresses the ideas in this passage?
a)
b)
c)
d)

A Chemical Equation
The Process of Photosynthesis
The Parts of Vascular Plants
The Production of Sugar

2. In photosynthesis, water
a)
b)
c)
d)

must be present
is produced in carbonhydrates
is stored as chemical energy
interrupts the chemical reaction

3. Which process is the opposite of photosynthesis?

a)
b)
c)
d)

Decomposition
Synthesization
Diffusion
Respiration

4. The combination of carbon dioxide and water to form sugar results in an excess of
a)
b)
c)
d)

water
oxygen
carbon
chlorophyll

5. The word stored is closest in meaning to

a)
b)
c)
d)

retained
converted
discovered
specified

6. In photosynthesis, energy from the sun is

a)
b)
c)
d)

changed to chemical energy

conducted from the xylem to the leaves of green plants
not necessary to the process
released one to one for each molecule of carbon dioxide used

7. The word their refers to

a)
b)
c)
d)

radiant energy and chemical energy

carbon dioxide and water
products
complex substances

8. The word successively is closest in meaning to

a)
b)
c)
d)

with effort
in a sequence
slowly
carefully

9. Besides the manufacture of food for plants, what is another benefit of photosynthesis?
a)
b)
c)
d)

It produces solar energy.

It diffuses additional carbon dioxide into the air.
It maintains a balance of gases in the atmosphere.
It removes harmful gases from the air.

10. Which of the following is NOT true of the oxygen used in photosynthesis?
a)
b)
c)
d)

Oxygen is absorbed by the roots.

Oxygen is the product of photosynthesis.
Oxygen is used in respiration.
Oxygen is released into the atmosphere through the leaves.

ANSWERS:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

B
A
D
B
A

6. A
7. B
8. B
9. C
10. A