Reading comprehension on vadu mangai: in the passage, what is "Thadagam"?

Introduction / Context:
This reading comprehension question checks your ability to interpret a specific reference inside a passage about vadu mangai mangoes in and around Coimbatore. The term "Thadagam" appears in the passage, and you need to infer what exactly it refers to, based on the descriptions provided. Such questions assess careful reading and the skill of linking named entities to their definitions in the text.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The passage discusses the vadu mangai season being short due to poor rainfall.
• It mentions two distinct varieties available near Coimbatore.
• It states that the closest to Coimbatore, and the one that appears in the markets first, is the Thadagam variety.
• The second and more popular variety is from the Thirumoorthy Hills near Udumalpet.
• The context is clearly about types of vadu mangai mangoes, not festivals or language.

Concept / Approach:
In vocabulary in context questions, you should always look at the immediate sentence and its surrounding lines rather than relying on outside knowledge. Here, the word "variety" immediately follows "Thadagam", which is a strong clue. Since the passage is consistently talking about varieties of vadu mangai mangoes, the logical conclusion is that Thadagam is the name of one such variety.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Locate the sentence that contains the word "Thadagam" in the passage. Step 2: Read the full sentence: it says that the closest to Coimbatore, and the one that appears in the markets first, is the Thadagam variety. Step 3: Notice the word "variety" immediately after "Thadagam". The passage already mentions "two distinct varieties". Step 4: Observe that the overall topic is types of vadu mangai mangoes grown in different regions. Step 5: Link these clues together to see that Thadagam must be one of the vadu mangai varieties.

Verification / Alternative check:
Check whether any of the options fit the textual evidence. The passage does not mention any festival connected to Thadagam, nor does it switch from a discussion about mango varieties to a cultural festival. There is also no indication that Thadagam is a word meaning "monsoon" in the local language. The phrase "Thadagam variety" is a direct pointer that it is a type of mango. The passage also contrasts it with the variety from Thirumoorthy Hills, reinforcing that both are varieties of vadu mangai.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: A festival celebrated in Coimbatore is never mentioned in the passage, so this is an invented meaning. Option C: There is no evidence that Thadagam is a local term for monsoon; the surrounding sentences are about mango harvests. Option D: The passage talks about tender mangoes and varieties, not about prepared pickle products, so this does not match.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes overthink such questions and bring in outside knowledge about names or places. Another mistake is to ignore the word immediately following the term being tested; here "variety" is a crucial clue that many candidates may skip. Always rely on the textual context and do not assume meanings that the passage does not support. Look for repeated themes, like varieties, harvest, or season, and tie the unknown term to those themes.

Final Answer:
From the passage, "Thadagam" clearly refers to a variety of vadu mangai mangoes, so option B is correct.