Thirty-Foot Flower

What can you do with a thirty-foot flower? You can’t keep it at home in a little flower pot, that’s for sure. However, scientists say that there are many uses for the sunflower, which has been known to grow as tall as thirty feet. Native Americans have been using this plant as a source of nutrition for years. Only recently have others been realizing its value.
The seeds of the sunflower are high in protein, calcium, and vitamin D. Birds love these seeds, as do many people. Grinding the seeds makes a delicious flour. Oil can be obtained from the seed and used for cooking. The stems can be used to make paper, fuel, or fertilizer. Even the roots are edible. They can be eaten raw, baked, fried, or sliced in a salad.
A red rose may be more romantic, but it doesn’t have nearly as many uses as the sunflower.

1. Ground sunflower seeds can make

(a) flowers.
(b) flour.
(c) roses.
(d) smaller sunflowers.

2. Cooking oil can come from

(a) sunflower stems.
(b) sunflower roots.
(c) oil flowers.
(d) sunflower seeds.

3. People do not eat

(a) the roots of a sunflower.
(b) a sunflower’s stem.
(c) food cooked in oil.
(d) sunflower seeds.

4. The main idea of this selection is

(a) roses are romantic.
(b) the sunflower has many uses.
(c) some plants can be eaten.
(d) sunflowers have vitamins.

5. A source of nutrition

(a) is full of nuts.
(b) can help you grow.
(c) contains sunshine.
(d) has no food value.

6. If something is edible, it is

(a) educated.
(b) dirty.
(c) all right to eat it.
(d) left over from dinner.

7. Sunflower seeds are

(a) high in the sky.
(b) not very useful.
(c) poisonous unless cooked.
(d) high in protein.

8. In the use of sunflowers,

(a) no one knew what to do.
(b) Native Americans led others.
(c) the plant’s height was trouble.
(d) rainflowers were preferred.

Answer Key: 1. b; 2. d; 3. b; 4. b; 5. b; 6. c; 7. d; 8. b