Question

use the text to compare and contrast heirloom plants and hybrid plants. when planting a vegetable garden, gardeners might choose hybrid plants or heirloom plants. a hybrid vegetable is created when plant breeders cross - pollinate two different varieties of a plant to produce a vegetable containing the best traits. in the case of heirlooms, the plants are open - pollinated, which means insects or the wind—not plant breeders—pollinate the plants. unlike hybrid plants, which are being created all the time, a plant variety typically has to be at least fifty years old to be considered an heirloom. many gardeners claim that heirlooms have a better taste than hybrids. so why do people plant hybrids? hybrid plants usually yield vegetables that are ready to harvest at the same time. the vegetables also tend to have a uniform appearance. on the other hand, heirloom vegetables may ripen at different times, and their size may vary.

Explanation:

• For "Are open - pollinated": The text states "In the case of heirlooms, the plants are open - pollinated... Unlike hybrid plants...". So heirloom plants are open - pollinated.
• For "Usually at least fifty years old": The text says "a plant variety typically has to be at least fifty years old to be considered an heirloom". So this trait belongs to heirloom plants.
• For "Have a uniform appearance": The text mentions "Hybrid plants...the vegetables also tend to have a uniform appearance". So this is for hybrid plants.
• For "Harvest times may vary": The text says "heirloom vegetables may ripen at different times...". So this is for heirloom plants.

Answer:

• Are open - pollinated: Heirloom plants
• Usually at least fifty years old: Heirloom plants
• Have a uniform appearance: Hybrid plants
• Harvest times may vary: Heirloom plants