2024 Specimen Paper 1 - Esl

Exercise 1
Read the article about an unusual type of plant called the living stone
plant, and then answer the questions.
All about living stone plants
Living stone plants don’t really look much like typical plants, but
instead resemble small stones lying on the surface of the ground.
Their scientific name, Lithops, comes from a word in the language
of Ancient Greece meaning ‘stone’. These interesting plants are
common in the wild in South Africa, but they are sold in garden
centers all over the world.
So what does a living stone plant look like? It has two thick leaves
in the shape of an oval with a gap between them, which creates
the impression of a couple of stones lying closely together. This
part of the plant is called the head. The leaves store a large
amount of water, which makes them potentially useful for a variety
of wildlife. A fat layer of outer skin prevents insect attacks,
however. Also, the gray or green color of the leaves helps to
emphasize their stone-like appearance, which reduces the
chances of them being eaten by small animals.
They are popular houseplants as they grow fairly easily indoors

and are quite unusual. Although they sometimes grow in grass in
their natural habitat, these tiny plants are generally found in
deserts, so it is best to grow them in sandy soil. They are also
often found growing naturally on and around different types of
rocks, which provide shade for part of the day. It is therefore
important to protect the plants from strong sunlight when they are
not in their native environment.
The majority of living stone plants use a long root, called a tap root,
to reach down into the ground to locate water. There are also
some types of living stone plants which don’t have a tap root and
these plants rely on absorbing mist through their leaves to get the
majority of the water they need. Although the tap roots can be up
to 15 centimeters in length, the section of plant that is visible
generally grows to a height of only two centimeters. It’s crucial for
home gardeners to use a container of sufficient depth, as most of
the plant is located under the ground.
Living stone plants grow incredibly slowly both in the wild and at
home, so it is essential to be patient. The good news is that
healthy plants can live for up to fifty years. The plants flower
annually, producing seeds which, in their natural environment,
survive in the ground for months while they wait for suitable
growing conditions. As soon as rain begins to fall, new plants start
to grow.
Question 1
In which country can you find living
stone plants growing naturally?
South Africa
................................................................................................................ [1]
Question 2
What is each plant’s pair of leaves known as?
The head
................................................................................................................ [1]
Question 3
How does the thick skin of the leaves protect the plant?
Prevent insect attacks
............................................................................................................... [1]
Question 4
What is the main source of water for living stone plants without a long
root?
Absorbing mist through their leaves
................................................................................................................ [1]
Question 5
How tall is the part of the plant that is above ground?
2 cm
................................................................................................................ [1]
Question 6
What advice does the writer give to people who want to grow
living stone plants? Give three details.
1. Be patient 2. Grow them in sandy soil 3. protect them from strong sunlight
.....................................................................................................................
................................................................................................. [3] [Total: 8]

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Exercise 1

They are popular houseplants as they grow fairly easily indoors

living stone plants? Give three details.

................................................................................................. [3] [Total: 8]

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