Potato Reading Answers

Jul 23, 2024

Potato Reading Answers is an academic reading answers topic. Potato Reading Answers have a total of 7 IELTS questions in total. In the questions, you have to tell whether the statement is true or false.

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

Check: Get 10 Free IELTS Sample Papers
Check: Register for IELTS Coaching - Join for Free Trial Class Now

Section 1

Read the Passage to Answer the Following Questions

Potato

The potato is a source vegetable native to the Americas, a starchy tuber of the plant Solanum tuberosum, and the plant itself, a persistent in the family Solanacee. Wild potato species can be found all over the Americas, from the United States to southern Chile. The potato was initially believed to have been tamed by indigenous peoples of the Americas self-reliantly in several locations, but later genetic testing of the extensive variety of cultivars and wild species outlined a single origin for potatoes.

In the area of present-day southern Peru and extreme northwestern Bolivia, from a species in the Solanum brevicaule complex, potatoes were tamed about 7,000-10,000 years ago. In the Andes region of South America, where the species is indigenous, some close relatives of the potato are cultured. Potatoes were familiarized to Europe from the Americas in the concluding half of the 16th century by the Spanish. Over 99% of currently cultivated potatoes worldwide descended from varieties that initiated in the lowlands of south-central Chile, which have

displaced previously widespread varieties from the Andes. Today they are a vital food in many parts of the world and an essential part of much of the world's food supply.

As of 2014, potatoes were the world's fourth-largest food crop after maize (corn), wheat, and rice. Subsequent times of selective breeding, there are now over 1,000 different types of potatoes The importance of the potato as a food source and culinary element differs by region and is still changing. It remains an important crop in Europe, especially Northern and Eastern Europe where per capita production is still the maximum in the world, while the quickest expansion in production over the past few decades has happened in southern and eastern Asia, with China and India leading the world in overall production as of 2018.

Normal potato tubers that have been grown and kept properly produce glycoalkaloids in amounts small enough to be insignificant to human health, but if green sections of the plant (namely sprouts and skins) are exposed to light, the tuber can gather a high enough concentration of glycoalkaloids to negatively affect human health. Being a nightshade like tomatoes, the vegetative and fruiting parts of the potato comprise the toxin solanine and are not fit for human consumption.

Section 2

Solution and Explanation

Questions 21-26

Do the following statements agree with the information given in the Reading Passage?

YES - If the statement agrees with the claims of the writer.
NO - If the statement contradicts the claims of the writer.
NOT GIVEN - If it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this.

The wild potato was first devoured by a South American.

Answer: NOT GIVEN
Explanation: The passage provides information on the domestication and origin of the potato but does not mention who first consumed it. There is no mention of the first consumption of wild potatoes by South Americans or any other group, making it impossible to confirm or deny the statement.

Wild potato species can be sporadically found in the Americas.

Answer: NO
Supporting statement:“.......Wild potato species can be found all over the Americas, from the United States to southern Chile...........”
Keywords: species, Americas
Keyword Location: para 1, lines 2-3
Explanation: The passage clearly says that wild potato species are widely distributed across the Americas. This statement contradicts the claim that they can be sporadically found, as the text suggests a continuous presence throughout the continent, indicating they are commonly found rather than sporadically.

Spanish took potatoes from America to Europe in the latter part of 16th century.

Answer: YES
Supporting statement:“........Potatoes were familiarized to Europe from the Americas in the concluding half of the 16th century by the Spanish...........”
Keywords: Europe, 16th century
Keyword Location: para 2, lines 5-6
Explanation: The passage explicitly mentions that the Spanish introduced potatoes to Europe in the latter part of the 16th century. This directly supports the statement that the Spanish were responsible for bringing potatoes to Europe during this time period.

At Present potato is an indispensable food in many countries.

Answer: YES
Supporting statement:“.........Today they are a vital food in many parts of the world and an essential part of much of the world's food supply.........”
Keywords: food, many parts
Keyword Location: para 2, lines 8-9
Explanation: The passage confirms that potatoes are a crucial food source in many regions globally, highlighting their importance in the world’s food supply. This supports the statement that potatoes are indispensable in many countries today.

The significance of the potato as a nutrition resource and cooking ingredient varies by territory.

Answer: YES
Supporting statement:“........The importance of the potato as a food source and culinary element differs by region and is still changing...........”
Keywords: source, Culinary
Keyword Location: para 3, lines 2-3
Explanation: The passage indicates that the role of potatoes in diet and cooking varies depending on the region. This supports the statement that the significance of potatoes as a nutritional resource and cooking ingredient differs by territory, acknowledging the regional variations and changes over time.

Elevated intensity of glycoalkaloids in potato does not impinge humans.

Answer: NO
Supporting statement:“..........if green sections of the plant (namely sprouts and skins) are exposed to light, the tuber can gather a high enough concentration of glycoalkaloids to negatively affect human health.........”
Keywords: glycoalkaloids, negatively
Keyword Location: para 4, lines 2-3
Explanation: The passage explains that high levels of glycoalkaloids in potatoes can harm human health. This directly contradicts the statement that elevated glycoalkaloid levels do not affect humans, as the text makes it clear that such concentrations can have negative health effects.

Read More IELTS Reading Related Samples