III. Reading Comprehension: Choose the best answer in each question.

Few people realized that, starting in the 1920s, scientists began to develop “super-plants.” Unlikenatural plants, these plants were developed to withstand pollution, drought, dirty soil, and poor light.Super-plants were first created with chemical changes in the plants, then with genetic changes. Someplants created this way include most new roses, and some new cotton and corn. Giant pumpkins, tomatoes,and strawberries are being developed now, as well as new flowers. These super-plants were designed tothrive in home gardens, but the techniques have created plants that resist disease, require less care, and,more importantly, grow larger seeds and fruits on fewer nutrients and less water. So what began as aneffort to make stronger houseplants may end up as a major way to increase the garden crops.