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reading comprehension 2

 


Not all of us are blessed with sprawling mansions that have huge lawns . Infact most of us live in small houses which may , if we are lucky , be on the ground floor of a large apartment block. But if you live on the top floor or if you have an independent home with a terrace to boot , then you may wish to express your sense of creativity in the shape and form of a terrace garden . whatever be the case, here's how you can create a bit of magic around you .

Good gardens are the results of two things - great plants and an eye for design . And in order to make a design work , you must first know the answers of some basic questions .For example you must know which place gets the first rays of the morning sun and which gets the sun later  in the day .This becomes crucial in your selection of what plants will grow where . After you have answered these questions it is time to think of a clear , intelligent lay out - whether it is geometric or informal- remember that circulation holds the key to garden design and that strong lines on the ground create a structure that is capable of holding together a loose collection of plants .

Flowers are fleeting - they come and go as the season change - leaves, on the other hand stay with us through any kind of weather . Be careful not to arrange pots with the same kind of leaf textures together : the arrangement will get and look boring . Put dissimilar leaves next to each other : spiky against round , small against large - so that plants stand out from one another . 

A nutritious manure , proper spacing , good air flow between pots and a positioning that ensures the right amount of sunlight every day are all factors that must be taken into account .

To keep the shape as well as to produce good blooms , pruning is essential . Cut out old wood regularly and remember to water twice a day , especially in the hot weather early morning and evening. Some plants like bougainvillea do not require much watering - so do read up about the plants you have before you begin treating all of them alike !

An important point to keep in mind is colour . Be careful of colour boredom- too much of one colour , specially white makes for dead tones. it's nice to have a flow of colour with the right accents and high notes . If you have a wall on one side  of your terrace , You could go  in for  a creeper That spreads all across it to form a living wall .Or you could use the space for hanging flower baskets . A bank of bougainvillea climbing over the wall is another good idea.

Large containers on one side of the terrace could be home to miniature and patio roses Or indeed showcase smaller plants such as alyssum and pansies . You could have a series of pots containing flowers which could be placed on stands at different levels. What looks marvelous is a cluster of assorted palms surrounded by pots of prickly cactus and the whole effect finished off with a selection of shallow pots with colourful plants in them . Very eye catching indeed ! The possibilities are endless!  

1.Give the meaning of each of the following words as used in the passage . One word answers or short phrases will be accepted .

(i) Sprawling

(ii) layout

(iii) fleeting

2. Answer the following question briefly

a. What type of houses do most of us live in ?

b. Why is it essential to have a terrace garden?

c. What should be kept in mind in keeping leaves in interesting order?

d. What pattern of colour holds our interest ?

e. How pots should be used in the terrace garden ?

f. What looks marvelous on the terrace? 

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