THE PRODUCTION OF COFFEE

1 All great coffee comes from the same tree, Coffea arabica. The distinguishing taste of coffee is a product of the climate, air, and soil in which it is grown. The perfect climate for coffee production exists between the latitudes of 25 degrees north and 25 degrees south of the equator. The coffee plant is particular about temperature, and changes of more than 20 degrees in twenty-four hours, or temperatures of over 70 degrees Fahrenheit, tend to have harmful effects on production. In general, coffee trees are comfortable where people are. If people feel too cold or hot, especially during flowering and fruit development, the trees are not likely to do well.
2 Altitude is an important factor, and most coffee-producing countries grade their coffees according to the altitude at which they were grown. The best-tasting coffees are grown at between five and eight thousand feet in elevation, in the thin air and rocky soil of places such as the mountain ridges of Central America and Africa.
3 Coffee trees require certain nutrients to produce beans in economically viable quantities; thus, soil chemistry is carefully watched in commercial operations. A soil rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will yield a coffee more complex in character. Nitrogen in soil gives rise to coffee's sparkling acidity; potassium produces fuller-bodied coffees; and phosphorus, while having no bearing on coffee in the final cup, helps the tree to develop a healthy root system. Generally, the more balanced the soil, the better the coffee.
4 Caring for the coffee tree is critical to the character of the final product. Stock for new coffee trees is usually grown from seeds produced by trees already growing on the farm. After the seeds germinate, the seedlings are transferred to nursery beds, which are typically kept under mesh netting that filters out direct sunlight. Young seedlings grow slowly, are very delicate, and require careful replanting. The transfer from nursery to plantation is a critical part of the process, and a seedling that is mishandled at this stage may die after it is replanted. Most varieties take at least three years before they begin producing fruit.

单选题 It can be inferred that the best coffee would come from which region?
A. A mountainous region close to the equator
B. A region with a large coffee-drinking population
C. A coastal region with a moderate amount of rainfall
D. A region with an average temperature of 70 degrees F

单选题 The word bearing in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to
A. opinion
B. influence
C. stress
D. dependence

单选题 Which sentence below best expresses the essential information in the highlighted sentence in paragraph 4?
A. Coffee trees require a large amount of care because they are delicate.
B. The most important step in coffee production is selecting the stock.
C. People care more about the taste of coffee than the appearance of the tree.
D. The quality of the finished coffee depends on the care given to the tree.

多选题 An introductory sentence for a brief summary of the passage is provided below. Complete the summary by selecting the THREE answer choices that express the most important ideas in the passage. Some sentences do not belong in the summary because they express ideas that are not presented in the passage or are minor ideas in the passage. This question is worth 2 points.

A. Coffee is best grown in climates within specific latitudes and at certain altitudes.
B. Coffee is graded according to the altitude at which it is grown.
C. Some people prefer rich, full-bodied coffees, while others like coffees that taste clean and crisp.
D. The best commercial coffee is grown in soil containing a balance of essential chemical nutrients.
E. A special kind of mesh netting filters out direct sunlight over nursery beds.
F. Coffee growers must carefully cultivate the coffee plant through all stages of its life. NSION