Flax Plant in New Zealand Reading Answers

Aug 13, 2024

Flax plant in New Zealand Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Flax plant in New Zealand Reading Answers has a total of 7 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to choose the correct heading for the given statements.

Candidates should read the IELTS Reading passage thoroughly to recognise synonyms, identify keywords, and answer the questions below. IELTS Reading practice papers, which feature topics such as Flax plant in New Zealand Reading Answers. Candidates can use IELTS reading practice questions and answers to enhance their performance in the reading section.

Section 1

FLAX PLANT IN NEW ZEALAND

A. Harakeke or Flax is unique to New Zealand and is one of the most ancient plant species. One can recognise the tall, green, sword-like leaves of flax that can be found growing throughout New Zealand. Common flax is found throughout the country, especially in wet areas, while mountain flax is found both at higher altitudes and along exposed coastlines. Flax bushes will often support a large community of animals, providing shelter and an abundant food resource.

B. Tui, bellbirds/korimako, saddlebacks/take, short-tailed bats/pekapeka, geckos and several types of insects enjoy nectar from the flax flower. Flax snails, a rare land snail living only in the Far North, often shelter under flax bushes. These snails don't eat any part of the flax, but rather they munch on fallen leaves from native broadleaved trees. Harakeke was the name given to this plant by Mâori. The first European traders called it h-flax because its fibres were similar to that of true flax found in other parts of the world Although we still call it flax today, Harakeke is a lily.

C. Common flax grows up to three metres high and its flower stalks can reach up to four metres. It has seedpods that stand upright from the stems. Mountain flax never grows as large as common flax, rarely reaching more than 1.6 metres high, and its seedpods hang down. Within the two flax species, there are numerous different varieties of flax. Some have drooping, floppy leaves while others grow as stiff and upright as spears. Flax flowers can vary in colour from yellow to red to orange.

D. Flax was a valuable resource to Europeans during the nineteenth century because of its strength. It was New Zealand's biggest export by far until wool and frozen mutton took over later in the century. Today, flax is used in soaps, hand creams, shampoos and a range of other cosmetics. Flaxseed oil can also be found for sale. There have even been experiments to make flax into wine! Different varieties were specially grown for their strength, softness, colour and fibre content. The uses of the flax fibre were numerous and varied. Clothing, mats, plates, baskets, ropes, bird snares, lashings, fishing lines and nets were all made from flax leaves. Floats or rafts were made out of bundles of dried flower stalks. The abundant nectar from flax flowers was used to sweeten food and beverages. Flax also had many medicinal uses. The sticky sap or gum that flax produces is applied to boils and wounds and used for toothache. Flax leaves were used in binding broken bones and matted leaves were used as dressings. Flax root juice was routinely applied to wounds as a disinfectant.

E. Traditionally when harakeke leaves were removed from the plant, only the older leaves on the outside were taken. It was believed the three inner layers of the plant represented a family. The outer layer represented the grandparents, whereas the inner layer of new shoots, the child, remained and was to be protected by the next inner layer of leaves, the parents.

F. Flax is generally a very common plant throughout New Zealand, but many of the special forms that were cultivated by Mâori for weaving were nearly lost during the twentieth century. Luckily, a few growers maintained their collections of special flaxes over the years. These cultivars have been in strong demand again due to a revival of interest in flax weaving over the last 20 years. Landcare Research now holds national collections of unique cultivars and distributes plants to weaving groups and marae throughout the country. Flax makes an excellent garden plant. It will attract native birds such as bellbirds/korimako and tui and provide wonderful

shelter.

Questions 22-27

Choose the correct heading for each section from the list of headings below.

LIST OF HEADINGS

I. Leaves and their removal

Il. Flax species

III. Fauna and flax plant

IV. Uses of flax

V. Ecological niche

VI. Escaping extinction

22. Section A

Answer: V

Supporting statement: “......Flax bushes will often support a large community of animals, providing shelter and an abundant food resource......”

Keywords: niche, shelter

Keyword Location: para A, Lines 5-6

Explanation: Section A describes how flax plants serve an important ecological role by providing shelter and food for various animals. This highlights the ecological niche that flax occupies in New Zealand, making "Ecological niche" the correct heading for this section.

23. Section B

Answer: III

Supporting statement: “.......Tui, bellbirds/korimako, saddlebacks/take, short-tailed bats/pekapeka, geckos and several types of insects enjoy nectar from the flax flower......”

Keywords: nectar, animals

Keyword Location: para B, Lines 1-2

Explanation: Section B focuses on the relationship between various animals (fauna) and the flax plant, particularly how they interact with it for nectar and shelter. This directly relates to the heading "Fauna and flax plant."

24. Section C

Answer: II

Supporting statement: “......Within the two flax species, there are numerous different varieties of flax. Some have drooping, floppy leaves while others grow as stiff and upright as spears......”

Keywords: species, varieties

Keyword Location: para C, Lines 4-5

Explanation: Section C provides detailed information about the different species of flax found in New Zealand, including their physical characteristics. This section is well-categorized under the heading "Flax species."

25. Section D

Answer: IV

Supporting statement: “......Flax was a valuable resource to Europeans during the nineteenth century because of its strength. It was New Zealand's biggest export by far until wool and frozen mutton took over later in the century......”

Keywords: resource, export

Keyword Location: para D, Lines 1-2

Explanation: Section D outlines the various uses of flax, both historically and in modern times, ranging from its role in export to its application in making clothing, baskets, and even medicinal uses.

26. Section E

Answer: I

Supporting statement: “.....Traditionally when harakeke leaves were removed from the plant, only the older leaves on the outside were taken.......”

Keywords: removal, traditional

Keyword Location: para E, Line 1

Explanation: Section E discusses the traditional method of removing flax leaves, specifically how only the older leaves were taken and the significance of this practice. This aligns with the heading "Leaves and their removal."

27. Section F

Answer: VI

Supporting statement: “.....Luckily, a few growers maintained their collections of special flaxes over the years. These cultivars have been in strong demand again due to a revival of interest in flax weaving over the last 20 years........”

Keywords: extinction, revival

Keyword Location: para F, Lines 2-4

Explanation: Section F highlights how special forms of flax, once nearly lost, have been preserved and are now in demand again due to a renewed interest in flax weaving. This narrative fits well with the heading "Escaping extinction."

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