Question

used under license. from the pages of time. this text was written in 2006.
rare trees for sale
by jeremy caplan
to preserve a threatened, ancient species, botanists are marketing its
offspring.
①
to save an endangered tree, put it up for sale. and whatever you do, don’t tell
anyone where it is. that’s how an australian consortium is protecting the
wollemi pine tree, a rare species that dates back to the era of dinosaurs. fewer
than 100 full - grown trees remain, and by selling plants grown from their
cuttings, wollemi pine international hopes to raise funds for preservation and
stop the poachers who could destroy the species forever.
②
the excitement over the wollemi started in 1994 when a hiker named david
noble stumbled upon the previously unknown tree while exploring wollemi
national park, a wilderness area that covers more than a million acres outside
sydney. experts at sydney’s royal botanic gardens pronounced the finding a
new genus and decided to keep the trees’ location secret, since poachers would
value its scarcity and thus commercial value.
after figuring out how to grow healthy, versatile plants from small cuttings,
preservationists started marketing baby trees to reduce the potential for black-
market sales. the consortium has already sold 50,000 in australia. starting
nov. 15, the plants will ship to gardeners in the u.s. through the national
geographic society for $99 apiece.
based on the information in the text, what makes the wollemi pine tree
so unique?
a the rare tree was discovered in a national park by visitors
hunting for exotic plants.
b the rare tree dates back to the time of the dinosaurs.
c the wollemi trees are rare and beautiful plants.
d the national geographic society is helping to sell the rare trees.

Explanation:

• Option A: The text says the tree was discovered by a hiker (David Noble) exploring, not visitors hunting for exotic plants, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: The text states "a rare species that dates back to the era of dinosaurs", which shows its uniqueness related to its ancient origin from dinosaur times.
• Option C: While the tree is rare, the text emphasizes its ancient origin (dating to dinosaurs) as a key unique aspect, not just being rare and beautiful. So C is not the best choice.
• Option D: The National Geographic Society is involved in selling the trees in the US, but this is about distribution, not what makes the tree unique. So D is incorrect.

Answer:

B. The rare tree dates back to the time of the dinosaurs.