Question

in the indigenous intercropping system known as the three sisters, maize, squash, and beans grow in a —— web of relations: maize provides the structure on which the bean vines grow; the squash vines cover the soil, discouraging competition from weeds; and the beans and their root “nodules” fix nitrogen by enriching the soil with essential nitrogen.
1 mark for review
which choice completes the text with the most logical and precise word or phrase?
a indecipherable
b ornamental
c obscure
d intricate

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the context of the Three Sisters (maize, squash, bean) agricultural system. The blank describes the "seed of redundant maize" (likely a typo, maybe "seed of... maize" or the role of maize). Let's analyze each option:

• A. Indecipherable: Means unreadable or not understandable. Doesn't fit the agricultural context of a crop's role. Eliminate.
• B. Ornamental: Refers to decorative purposes. The Three Sisters system is functional (soil coverage, competition reduction, nitrogen), not decorative. Eliminate.
• C. Obscure: Means unclear or hidden. Doesn't relate to the crop's role in the system. Eliminate.
• D. Intricate: Here, maybe a misread (or typo, perhaps "intercropping" - but the option is "intricate"). Wait, re - evaluating: The Three Sisters system has an intricate (complex, well - designed) structure where maize, squash, and bean work together. Wait, no, the blank is about the seed of redundant maize? Wait, maybe the original text has "redundant" as a typo, maybe "companion" or "intercropped". But among the options, "intricate" could describe the system's structure, but the blank is about the seed? Wait, maybe the text is "maize, squash, and beans grow in an ______ web of relations: maize provides...". If that's the case, "intricate" (complex, detailed) fits the web of relations in the agricultural system. The other options don't make sense: indecipherable (can't be decoded), ornamental (decorative), obscure (hidden) don't fit the functional, complex relationship in the Three Sisters system. So "intricate" is the best fit.

Answer:

D. intricate