Read the following passage and answer the questions.
Mango trees are evergreen trees with thick trunks and a wide canopy. They can grow to a height of 100 feet or more, depending upon the climate and the richness of the soil.
The leaves are leathery and dark green, about 5–16 inches long. The flowers grow in large clusters, each with several hundred small white flowers. Most of the flowers function as male flowers, but some are bisexual and form fruits after pollination. Pollination takes place through flies, wasps, bees and even ants.
The mango is called the “King of Fruits” because of its creamy, rich taste and aromatic flavour. The fruit varies in size and shape, with shades of red and yellow or dull green. It can be oval, round, heart-shaped, kidney-shaped, or long and slender. It has a single flat, large seed with a fleshy layer around it.
Saplings take three to five years to bear fruit, and the fruits take 100–150 days to mature. These trees grow well in areas that are exposed to full sun. They flourish in well-drained, fertile soil. Young mango trees need extra watering during dry periods.
In Ayurveda, the bark, leaves, flowers and fruits are used to treat many ailments of the stomach and skin. The gum is used to heal cracked heels. The bark has tannins that are used for dyeing. The ripe fruit is eaten as it is and used to make juices, chutneys, desserts and jams. The unripe fruit is used to make pickles.
Mangoes contain vitamins A, B, C, E and K and minerals such as magnesium, potassium and manganese. One cup of mango provides nearly 70% of the daily need for vitamin C, which helps the immune system. Mangoes also contain plenty of water and dietary fibre that help to solve digestive problems.
How do mango trees form their fruits?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Through pollination of their bisexual flowers
The passage says that some flowers “are bisexual and form fruits after pollination”.
- A bisexual flower has both male and female parts. Pollination is the carrying of pollen from flower to flower.
- Here flies, wasps, bees and ants do this work. After pollination, these flowers form the fruit.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 2: Through their male flowers alone — Incorrect. Contradicted: Most flowers “function as male flowers”. But the passage says it is the bisexual flowers that “form fruits”.
Option 3: Through wild animals that eat the fruit — Incorrect. Not mentioned: The passage names only small insects like flies and bees, which help in pollination. It says nothing about wild animals eating the fruit.