Reading Comprehension
Few of us think twice about how much it costs to sprinkle a little spice on our food. But there is one
spice – the most expensive one in the world – that can cost more than $1,000 per pound. It has been used
in kitchens, as well as in artwork and cosmetics, for thousands of years. The color of this spice is
beautiful and unique. Buddhist monks use it as the official color of their prayer robes. What makes this
spice, called saffron, so treasured?
Saffron comes from a small flower called a crocus. Each blossom grows three tiny red threads, or
stigmas, which are then dried and sold as saffron threads. The dried threads can also be ground and sold
as powder. It takes 75,000 crocus blossoms, or 225,000 stigmas, to produce one pound of dried saffron.
That’s a patch of flowers the size of a football field! In addition, the tiny stigmas must be picked by hand.
Saffron is prized for its rich color and powerful flavor, which some people compare to bitter honey.
Just a pinch of the powdered spice is enough to flavor a pound of rice and give it a deep golden color.
Even though crocus stigmas are red, the spice turns foods or liquids into a golden yellow.
Throughout history, saffron has also been used as a medicine. According to modern studies, saffron
may even lift a person’s mood. This precious spice may come at a high price, but many people believe it
is worth every penny.
18. The first paragraph is mainly intended to --------------------.
a. describe the flavor of saffron
b. tell an amusing story about saffron
c. prove that saffron is overpriced
d. introduce the uses of saffron
(1 نمره)
آزمون زبان انگلیسی پایه یازدهم نوبت اول به صورت دیجی فرم
