Question

a garden may seem like a perfectly peaceful place. but to scientists, it’s a battlefield!
day after day, tomato plants face swarms of insects that can kill them. aphids are teeny tiny insects that attack in groups. day and night, they suck the sweet juice from the tomato plants’ leaves, stems, and roots. aphids also spread disease as they move from plant to plant.
aphids attack a tomato plant.
which statement is supported by both “tricky tomatoes” and “killer tomatoes!”?
tomato plants can feel insects eating their leaves.
insects suck sweet juice from tomato plants.
insects are a big threat to tomato plants.
tomato plants communicate about insects.

Explanation:

To determine the correct statement, we analyze each option:

• Option 1: The passage does not mention tomato plants "feeling" insects eating leaves. Eliminate.
• Option 2: The text says "they suck the sweet juice from the tomato plants’ leaves, stems, and roots" (where "they" refers to aphids, a type of insect). This matches.
• Option 3: While insects are a threat, the key detail from both "Tricky Tomatoes" and "Killer Tomatoes!" likely relates to the direct action of insects sucking juice, not just being a threat. Eliminate.
• Option 4: The passage does not mention tomato plants communicating about insects. Eliminate.

Answer:

B. Insects suck sweet juice from tomato plants.