Companion planting is an ancient gardening practice where certain plants are grown together for mutual benefit. Just like people, plants can be good or bad neighbors to each other. Planning your garden with this idea can help prevent pests, improve flavors, and increase harvests. However, planting the wrong things together may slow down growth or attract more insects.
The science behind companion planting involves how plants interact with soil and pests. All plants need nitrogen (氮), but some require more than others. Leafy vegetables like lettuce need a lot of nitrogen. Meanwhile, plants such as peas and beans actually add nitrogen back into the soil. Therefore, a basic rule is to plant nitrogen-needing crops next to nitrogen-fixing ones. Herbs also play an important role. Many herbs drive away harmful insects and attract helpful ones like ladybugs. Plants such as dill and parsley (欧芹) bloom with small flowers that attract these natural protectors.
A well-known example of companion planting is called the “Three Sisters”. It involves growing corn, beans, and squash (南瓜属植物) together. The cornstalk serves as a natural pole for the beans to climb. The squash spreads its wide leaves at the base, keeping weeds down and shading the soil. The beans, in return, provide nitrogen that helps the squash grow.
Some plants are natural partners. Tomatoes, basil, peppers, and parsley grow very well together. Basil helps drive pests away from tomatoes and peppers, while parsley attracts beneficial insects. Interestingly, tomatoes produce more fruit when basil grows nearby, and peppers become more flavorful. Besides helping each other grow, these plants also happen to taste delicious together.
However, not all plants make good neighbors. For example, beans and strawberries do not grow well near garlic or onions. These onion-family plants can slow the growth of beans and affect the taste of strawberries. Also, it is better not to plant onions or garlic too close together, as they may share pests and diseases more easily. By avoiding these combinations, you can prevent problems and help each plant thrive in your garden.
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1.1.What is a possible consequence if companion planting is poorly planned??
A Faster plant growth.
B Improved soil nutrition.
C More harmful insects.
D Increased crop yield.
解析：选C。1.C细节理解题。题干问“如果伴生种植规划不当，可能导致什么后果”。文章第一段第四句明确提到：“However, planting the wrong things together may slow down growth or attract more insects.”（然而，将不合适的植物种在一起可能减缓生长或吸引更多昆虫。）选项中“More harmful insects”与此处“attract more insects”对应，故C正确。A、B、D均为正面结果，与题意相反。故选C。
2.2.The underlined term “these natural protectors” in Paragraph 2 refers to ________.
A small flowers
B leafy vegetables
C harmful pests
D beneficial insects
解析：选D。2.D词意指代题。划线短语“these natural protectors”出现在第二段末尾。前一句提到：“Many herbs drive away harmful insects and attract helpful ones like ladybugs. Plants such as dill and parsley bloom with small flowers that attract these natural protectors.” 根据逻辑，“these natural protectors”指代的是前一句中“helpful ones like ladybugs”，即“有益昆虫”。故D（beneficial insects）正确。
3.3. Why is the “Three Sisters” example mentioned in the text?
A To describe an ancient gardening story.
B To illustrate a successful planting model.
C To compare different crop yields.
D To stress the importance of single crops.
解析：选B。3.B推理判断题。题干问“为什么文中提到‘三姐妹’的例子”。第三段详细描述了玉米、豆类和瓜类如何相互配合形成互利关系。该例子紧接在伴生种植的原理介绍之后，旨在用一个经典案例具体说明伴生种植如何成功运作，因此是为了“阐述一个成功的种植模式”，故B正确。A项“描述古老园艺故事”偏离说明文目的；C项“比较不同作物产量”未提及；D项“强调单一作物重要性”与例子体现的协作精神相反。故选B。
4.4.What can we conclude about planting beans and garlic close to each other?
A Both will grow better.
B Garlic will taste worse.
C Beans will be negatively affected.
D Pests will be kept away effectively.
解析：选C。4.C细节理解题。文章最后一段第二句指出：“For example, beans and strawberries do not grow well near garlic or onions. These onion-family plants can slow the growth of beans and affect the taste of strawberries.” 可知，大蒜会抑制豆类的生长，即C项的豆类会受到负面影响。A、D均为正面影响，与原文信息相反。B项（大蒜的口感会变更差）并未在文中提及。故选C。
