Carrots are grown on farm and in small family gardens throughout the world. They are easy to grow and easy to harvest. They have a pleasing taste.

When people think about carrots, a picture of a long, thin, orange- colored vegetable usually comes to mind. But carrots come in many different sizes and shapes, and not all carrots are orange.

Carrots should be grown in sandy soil that does not hold water for a long time. The soil also should have no rocks. Weather, soil, and age affect the way carrots taste. Experts say warm days, cool nights, and the right soil temperature are the best conditions for growing great carrots. Most people do not know that carrots can be grown during the winter months. If the weather is not cold enough to freeze the ground, you can grow and harvest carrots the same way as you do during the summer months. If the ground does freeze in your part of the world, just cover your carrot garden with some plant leaves or straw. This will prevent the ground from freezing.

Carrots need time to produce and develop their sugar. This gives them their taste. If they are harvested too early, they will not have enough sugar. However, carrots become wood - like and lose their sweetness if you wait too long to harvest them from the ground. The best way to decide if a carrot is ready to be harvested is by its color. Usually, the brighter the color, the better the taster.

1. Why are carrots widely grown throughout the world?

A. Because carrots come in many different sizes and shapes.

B. Because carrots are easy to grow and easy to harvest.

C. Because carrots can only be grown during the winter months.

D. Because carrots have attractive colors.

2. If carrots are harvested too late, __________.

A. they'll become wood - like and lose their sweetness

B. they will not have enough sugar

C. their color will become brighter

D. they' 11 have a more pleasing taste

3 .The underlined word "affect" in the third paragraph probably means__________.

A. make             B. lead             C. get              D. cause to change

4. Which statement is TRUE according to the passage? __________.

A. Carrots grow better in rocks than in sandy soil.

B. Carrots will freeze in winter, even though they are covered by straw.

C. The way carrots taste has something to do with the weather, the soil and their age.

D. Carrots are grown in water.

5. The best title(標(biāo)題)of the passage would be__________.

A. How to Harvest Carrots                B. Carrots

C. How to Cook Carrots                  D. Different Weather, Different Size