Question

which of these is the best summary of the passage?
(a) houseplants are plants that people keep inside their homes. people have owned houseplants throughout history. houseplants can have different needs depending on the type of plant, and they offer many benefits for people.
(b) houseplants can have different appearances. snake plants have leaves that resemble swords, while fiddle - leaf figs have leaves shaped like violins. all these plants are good for people. their leaves can clean the air.
(c) houseplants come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors. ancient works of art show that greeks and romans planted indoor gardens. later, american and english homes featured houseplants. today, millions of people own them.
(d) growing houseplants is smart. houseplants may have beautiful flowers, drooping flowers, or spiny needles. some houseplants can grow in many places throughout a home. houseplants have been in people’s homes for thousands of years.

Explanation:

To determine the best summary, we analyze each option:

• Option a: Covers the definition of houseplants, their historical ownership, different needs, and benefits. This provides a broad and accurate overview of the passage's main points.
• Option b: Focuses on appearances and air - cleaning, missing other key aspects like history and general benefits.
• Option c: Emphasizes variety and historical ownership but lacks information about plant needs and benefits.
• Option d: Mixes points about growing, appearance, and history in a less coherent and less comprehensive way.

Answer:

a. Houseplants are plants that people keep inside their homes. People have owned houseplants throughout history. Houseplants can have different needs depending on the type of plant, and they offer many benefits for people.