Read the passage carefully and then choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives. Manja, the glass coated string used for flying kites, poses a threat not only to humans, animals and birds but also to trees. A study by the oldest botanical garden in the country has revealed that it poses a serious danger to trees. When torn kite strings get stuck in trees, they can help creepers climb and eventually block sunlight to the tree top. According to a research paper, the abandoned kite strings act as a primary support for tender climbers, which then spread and cover the whole treetop. Question: Abandoned, torn kite strings stuck in trees benefit whom?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Creepers

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is based on a short reading comprehension passage about manja, the glass coated string used for kite flying, and its impact on the environment. The passage describes an unexpected and harmful relationship between abandoned kite strings and trees. The specific question here asks which entity benefits from torn kite strings stuck in trees. This tests the candidate's ability to locate direct information and understand cause and effect in a scientific description.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Manja is described as glass coated string used for flying kites.
  • It poses threats to humans, animals, birds, and trees.
  • The research paper explains that abandoned kite strings become support for tender climbers or creepers.
  • The climbers use these strings to reach and cover the treetop, which ultimately harms the tree.
  • The question: Abandoned, torn kite strings stuck in trees benefit whom.


Concept / Approach:
The passage clearly states that the torn kite strings act as an excellent primary supporting platform for tender climbers, giving them an easy passage to reach the tree top. Climbers or creepers are plants that normally need external support to grow upwards. In this context, the benefit goes to the creepers, not to trees, animals, birds, or humans. Although the tree is physically used as a host, it does not benefit; in fact, it suffers because its treetop is covered and sunlight is blocked. The approach is to distinguish between the organism that uses the string positively and the organisms that are harmed.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the sentence in the passage that mentions how torn strings interact with other organisms.Step 2: Note the key phrase: abandoned kite strings act as a primary supporting platform for tender climbers.Step 3: Understand that tender climbers are creepers, which are a type of climbing plant.Step 4: Recognise that the trees are harmed when the climbers, supported by the strings, cover the treetop and block sunlight.Step 5: Conclude that the entity that gains a benefit from the presence of the torn strings is the creepers.


Verification / Alternative check:
If we quickly test each option against the passage, humans, animals, and birds are already stated as being under threat from manja, which means they are harmed, not benefited. Trees are described as being at great risk because the climbers, supported by the strings, eventually block sunlight and can kill the tree. Only creepers gain an advantage, since the strings allow them to reach the treetop more easily than they otherwise could. This analysis confirms that creepers are the beneficiaries in the described interaction.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Humans: The passage explicitly states that manja threatens humans, especially in accidents involving neck or hand injuries, so humans do not benefit. Birds: Birds are also mentioned as victims, often injured or killed by the sharp strings, so they are not beneficiaries. Trees: Trees are harmed when their crowns are covered and sunlight is blocked, so the trees definitely do not benefit. Only creepers receive support and a growth advantage from the abandoned strings.


Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates might quickly assume that trees benefit because the strings are attached to them, or they may misread benefit as affect. Others may pick birds or humans because they recall earlier parts of the passage mentioning threats, without focusing on the line about who uses the strings as support. Reading carefully and distinguishing between harm and benefit is crucial. Whenever a question asks who benefits, it is important to identify the organism that gains an advantage, not simply the one that is in contact with the object.


Final Answer:
The abandoned, torn kite strings stuck in trees benefit Creepers, which use the strings as support to climb.

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Discussion & Comments

avenue17

Thanks for the help in this question. I did not know it.

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