Reading Skill

We usually expect flowers to have an attractive smell. However, this isn't true of all of them. The flowering plant called the Titan Arum only produces flowers every ten years or so - but when it does, the smell is so (21) ....

• A messy

• B disgusting

• C frightening

• D painful

that most people say they can't stand

being near the flower, unless they hold their noses. They say that it's the worst smell they have ever (22)

• A experienced

• B met

• C realised

• D felt

The plant, which can grow to over 100 cm tall, is able to produce heat. As this happens, the bad smell is created. But the smell does have a purpose. It's intended to encourage all kinds of insects to travel (23) ... distances to visit the flowers.

• A far

• B broad

• C wide

• D long

The flowers always (24)

..... a lot of interest

• A aim

• B offer

• C demand

• D attract

because they are produced so

(25)

• A rarely

• B slightly

• C hardly

• D lately

Scientists wanting to study the plant need to (26)

out their research before the flowers disappear again for another ten years.

• A take

• B find

• C carry

• D start