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.
What is the main purpose of the passage?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → To give information about the mango tree, its fruit and its uses
The passage only gives facts.
- It first describes the tree, its leaves and its flowers. Then it describes the fruit, which is called the “King of Fruits”.
- It then tells how the tree grows and how its parts are used. The last part lists the vitamins in mangoes.
- The writer gives no opinion and asks nothing of the reader. So the purpose is to inform.
Why the Other Options are Incorrect?
Option 1: To persuade farmers to grow more mango trees — Incorrect. Not mentioned: The passage does tell where mango trees grow well. But it never asks farmers to grow more of them. To persuade means to make someone agree to do something.
Option 2: To compare the mango with other tropical fruits — Incorrect. Not mentioned: No other fruit is named in the passage. The whole passage is about the mango alone.
Option 4: To warn readers about the diseases of mango trees — Incorrect. Not mentioned: The passage speaks of ailments of the stomach and skin in people. It says nothing about diseases of the tree.