雅思阅读真题（Part 2）
植物之间如何交流对话
本篇也叫：植物会说话吗、植物之间怎么交流、植物聊天、植物沟通、植物释放化学信号、植物挥发物交流
Part 2 · 考频：中频 · 最近考试：2025.12.24华南理工大学
本篇为雅思阅读真题（Part 2）《How do plants talk to each other?》，共 13 题，2025.12.24华南理工大学雅思考试真题回忆，页面提供完整原文、题目、答案与解析，并支持在线机考模式免费练习。本页同时提供 Markdown 版本 供 AI 助手与搜索引擎直接读取。
文章探讨植物之间是否存在交流。1983年科学家发现枫树受虫害后释放化学信号警告邻近枫树，但遭质疑；2000年后Richard Karban等人证实鼠尾草等植物通过挥发性有机化合物（VOCs）向邻近植物传递防御信息，并讨论这种交流对植物自身的进化意义。
Research shows that plants communicate and interact with each other in surprisingly subtle and sophisticated ways.
A
In 1983, plant scientists Jack Schultz and Ian Baldwin reported that healthy young maple trees increased their defense systems when exposed to maples that had been damaged by plant-eating (herbivorous) insects. The injured trees, they suggested, were alerting neighbors to the presence of a predator by releasing chemical signals into the air. But the plant research community did not accept this. The results were difficult to replicate, critics pointed out. Many also questioned how a trait could be evolutionarily stable if it benefited neighboring plants but not the plant releasing the signal. By the late 1980s, most ecologists felt that Schultz and Baldwin’s ideas had been discredited.
B
A decade later, however, a number of more carefully designed experiments began to yield convincing indications to the contrary. In 2000, evolutionary ecologist Richard Karban showed that wild tobacco plants became resistant to herbivores when grown in close proximity to sagebrush plants whose leaves had been damaged by cutting. This change appeared to be in response to chemicals – known as volatile organic compounds or VOCs – released by the sagebrush plants. Other researchers soon reported similar VOC-induced defense responses in several other plants, including lima bean, broad bean, barley, and corn. And in 2006, Karban showed that VOCs released by damaged sagebrush induce herbivore resistance in plants growing at distances of up to 60 cm, well within the range of sagebrush neighbors in nature.
C
But the question still remains: ‘Why should a plant waste valuable resources on a function which has no obvious advantage for it?’ One hypothesis is that external communication channels are merely an extension of within-plant signaling. In sagebrush, lima bean, and poplar, VOCs released from damaged parts of a plant induce resistance in intact sections of the same plant, suggesting that each individual plant uses the signals to coordinate its own physiological responses to protect itself. Karban agrees, saying, ‘The interplant signaling we see may be a result of plants co-opting that process.’ Alternatively, VOC-based signaling between plants may have been favored because it enhances the ‘extended fitness’ of the sender by aiding related plants of the same species: a strategy known as kin selection.
D
Over the past few years, a team led by Ariel Novoplansky of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel seems to have found proof that distress signals can be passed through the plants’ roots. They planted garden pea plants in rows and subjected the first in each row to conditions similar to those experienced in a drought. They then evaluated the response by measuring the microscopic holes on leaves, known as pores, which react when there is a shortage of water. After fifteen minutes, the stressed plant was seen to be closing its pores, followed by all of its neighbors, one by one. Importantly, in a control setup where root contact between neighboring plants was blocked, pores stayed open. Meanwhile, David Johnson’s team at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland have been studying the labyrinths of hair-like fungi that occur around the roots of most plants. These fungi are involved in an important two-way relationship: in exchange for sugars, they provide plants with much-needed phosphorus and nitrogen. Research in which broad bean plants were infested with aphids – small herbivorous insects – revealed that these networks also served as a channel for warning neighboring plants of the infestation.
E
Monica Gagliano of the University of Western Australia believes that plants may even use sounds to alert their neighbors. In one study, she demonstrated that chili plant seedlings grown next to fennel plants developed more quickly than seedlings grown with other chili plants. Gagliano and her colleagues suspect the chili plants were compensating for the presence of the fennel, which is known to release chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plants. Remarkably, however, all known plant communication pathways – airborne volatiles, root contact, and common fungal networks – were blocked. The results suggested for an alternative explanation. ‘We think this other channel of communication might be acoustic,’ says Gagliano. But behavioral ecologist Carel ten Cate of the University of Leiden in the Netherlands points out that taking advantage of such benefits would require sensory mechanisms yet to be described in plants. Despite widespread skepticism, Gagliano has received some encouragement. Richard Karban, for example, is cautiously enthusiastic. ‘Whether or not the explanation she favors is the right one,’ he says, ‘I think that she’s gotten results that, as a field, we need to come to grips with.’
F
Researchers believe that knowledge of this phenomenon could even actually be applied to agriculture, and lead to the cultivation of hardier crops. All agree that there is still much work to be done. ‘Applying our limited knowledge of plant-communication mechanisms to agriculture is a big jump,’ says Johnson, ‘but it is definitely on the horizon.’ Nevertheless, one message has emerged loud and clear from those studying this new realm of botanical interaction: despite not possessing eyes, ears, or a nervous system, plants are anything but uncommunicative. ‘When I did my PhD in the late 1980s, all this stuff was considered very weird,’ recalls Ariel Novoplansky. ‘Today, there is no doubt.We now recognise that plants are capable of some very sophisticated exchanges of information with other plants. This idea is not strange anymore.’
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答案：the widespread rejection of an idea
原文定位：But the plant research community did not accept this. The results were difficult to replicate, critics pointed out. Many also questioned how the trait could be evolutionarily stable. By the late 1980s
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落A描述了1983年Schultz和Baldwin关于受损枫树释放化学信号警告邻居的观点，以及该观点随后被科学界广泛质疑和否定的过程：“But the plant research community did not accept this... By the late 1980s, most ecologists felt that Schultz and Baldwin’s ideas had been discredited.” 这对应标题 The widespread rejection of an idea（一个观点被广泛否定）。
答案：evidence leading to renewed belief in a theory
原文定位：volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落B描述了十年后，经过更严谨设计的实验开始提供令人信服的证据，支持植物间存在化学信号通讯的观点：“A decade later, however, a number of more carefully designed experiments began to yield convincing indications to the contrary.” 这对应标题Evidence leading to renewed belief in a theory（导致一个理论重新被相信的证据）。
答案：a suggested benefit to the sender of plant communication
原文定位：But the question still remains: ‘Why should a plant waste valuable resources on a function which has no obvious advantage for it?’ One hypothesis is that external communication channels are merely an extension of within-plant signaling;Alternatively, VOC-based signaling between plants may have been favored because it enhances the ‘extended fitness’ of the sender by aiding related plants of the same species: a strategy known as kin selection
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落C探讨了植物为何会进行这种看似利他的通讯，并提出一种解释：这种信号可能通过帮助同物种的亲缘植物来提升发送者的“广义适合度”，即亲缘选择：“Alternatively, VOC-based signaling between plants may have been favored because it enhances the ‘extended fitness’ of the sender by aiding related plants of the same species: a strategy known as kin selection.” 这对应标题A suggested benefit to the sender of plant communication（对植物通讯发送者的一种可能益处）。
答案：sending messages underground
原文定位：Over the past few years, a team led by Ariel Novoplansky;seems to have found proof that distress signals can be passed through the plants’ roots;Importantly, in a control setup where root contact between neighboring plants was blocked, pores stayed open. Meanwhile, David Johnson’s team;have been studying the labyrinths of hair-like fungi that occur around the roots of most plants;Research;revealed that these networks also served as a channel for warning neighboring plants of the infestation
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落D描述了以色列和苏格兰的两个研究团队分别通过根系接触和真菌网络证实了植物间的地下信息传递：“...distress signals can be passed through the plants’ roots... these networks also served as a channel for warning neighboring plants...” 这对应标题 Sending messages underground（在地下传递信息）。
答案：some obstacles to plant communication
原文定位：Monica Gagliano;believes that plants may even use sounds to alert their neighbors;all known plant communication pathways – airborne volatiles, root contact, and common fungal networks – were blocked;We think this other channel of communication might be acoustic,’ says Gagliano. But behavioral ecologist Carel ten Cate;points out that taking advantage of such benefits would require sensory mechanisms yet to be described in plants. Despite widespread skepticism
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落E描述了Monica Gagliano关于植物可能通过声音交流的推测，但同时也提到了其他科学家（如Carel ten Cate）的质疑，指出这需要植物具备尚未被描述的感知机制，暗示了这种通讯方式存在障碍：“But behavioral ecologist Carel ten Cate... points out that taking advantage of such benefits would require sensory mechanisms yet to be described in plants.” 这对应标题Some obstacles to plant communication（植物通讯的一些障碍）。
答案：potential advantages for farmers
原文定位：Researchers believe that knowledge of this phenomenon could even actually be applied to agriculture, and lead to the cultivation of hardier crops;Applying our limited knowledge of plant-communication mechanisms to agriculture is a big jump,’ says Johnson, ‘but it is definitely on the horizon
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落F描述了研究人员认为对植物通讯现象的了解可能应用于农业，培育出更具抗逆性的作物：“Researchers believe that knowledge of this phenomenon could even actually be applied to agriculture, and lead to the cultivation of hardier crops.” 这对应标题Potential advantages for farmers（对农民的潜在好处）。
答案：roots
原文定位：Over the past few years, a team led by Ariel Novoplansky of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel seems to have found proof that distress signals can be passed through the plants’ roots
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落D中提到：“They planted garden pea plants in rows and subjected the first in each row to conditions similar to those experienced in a drought.”
答案：drought
原文定位：They planted garden pea plants in rows and subjected the first in each row to conditions similar to those experienced in a drought
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落D中提到：“They planted garden pea plants in rows and subjected the first in each row to conditions similar to those experienced in a drought.”
答案：fungi
原文定位：Meanwhile, David Johnson’s team at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland have been studying the labyrinths of hair-like fungi that occur around the roots of most plants
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落D中提到：“Meanwhile, David Johnson’s team... have been studying the labyrinths of hair-like fungi that occur around the roots of most plants.”
答案：aphids
原文定位：Research in which broad bean plants were infested with aphids – small herbivorous insects – revealed that these networks also served as a channel for warning neighboring plants of the infestation
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落D中提到：“Research in which broad bean plants were infested with aphids – small herbivorous insects – revealed that these networks also served as a channel for warning neighboring plants of the infestation.”
答案：C David Johnson
原文定位：Applying our limited knowledge of plant-communication mechanisms to agriculture is a big jump,’ says Johnson, ‘but it is definitely on the horizon
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落F中提到：“Researchers believe that knowledge of this phenomenon could even actually be applied to agriculture, and lead to the cultivation of hardier crops.” 随后，David Johnson (C) 说：“Applying our limited knowledge of plant-communication mechanisms to agriculture is a big jump... but it is definitely on the horizon.” 这直接对应了“研究可能有一天帮助改善我们的食物供应”这一陈述。
答案：A Richard Karban
原文定位：The interplant signaling we see may be a result of plants co-opting that process
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落C中提到：“One hypothesis is that external communication channels are merely an extension of within-plant signaling.” 随后，Richard Karban (A) 说：“The interplant signaling we see may be a result of plants co-opting that process.” 这直接对应了“植物通讯可能是作为帮助单一植物的内部机制的结果而发生”这一陈述。
答案：B Ariel Novoplansky
原文定位：When I did my PhD in the late 1980s, all this stuff was considered very weird,’ recalls Ariel Novoplansky. ‘Today, there is no doubt. We now recognise that plants are capable of some very sophisticated exchanges of information with other plants. This idea is not strange anymore
解析：依据的阅读原文是： 段落F的最后，Ariel Novoplansky (B) 回顾道：“‘When I did my PhD in the late 1980s, all this stuff was considered very weird,’ recalls Ariel Novoplansky. ‘Today, there is no doubt... This idea is not strange anymore.’” 这直接对应了“近几十年来，人们对植物通讯的态度发生了巨大变化”这一陈述。