EXCERCISES

9 Write questions for these answers.
1. ..........................................................................................................................................
To both the plant and the tuber.
2. ..........................................................................................................................................
About five thousand varieties.
3. ..........................................................................................................................................
In southern Peru.
4. ..........................................................................................................................................
Spanish sailors.
5. ..........................................................................................................................................
Fibre, vitamins and minerals.
6. ..........................................................................................................................................
Solanine and chaconine.
7. ..........................................................................................................................................
In the inedible parts, such as the leaves, stems, sprouts and fruits.
8. ..........................................................................................................................................
To slow the natural process of decomposition and maintain toxic substances at a low level.

10 Listen to the text about the poisonous effects of nightshades and decide if the sentences are true or false. Correct the false ones.

1. No kind of shrub belongs to the Solanaceae family.
☐ T ☐ F
2. Most nightshades are edible.
☐ T ☐ F
3. 3,000 varieties are used in our diet.
☐ T ☐ F
4. Black pepper is not a nightshade.
☐ T ☐ F
5. Some people are likely to suffer allergic reactions.
☐ T ☐ F
6. Solanine is an alkaloid.
☐ T ☐ F
7. Solanine is only found in Solanaceae.
☐ T ☐ F
8. Some chemicals contained in nightshades seem to have a positive impact on human health.
☐ T ☐ F

11 Translate.

Le solanacee sono un gruppo di piante comuni, quali pomodori, patate, peperoni, melanzane, tabacco e alcune piante medicinali. L’origine di tale parola è oscura. Si credeva che tali piante crescessero di notte e non alla luce del giorno. Mentre alcune varietà di questa famiglia sono commestibili, altre sono velenose. In passato alcune sono state addirittura impiegate nella stregoneria.

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GLOSSARY

edible : commestibile
nightshade : solanacee
sailor : marinaio
spongy : spugnoso
sprout : germoglio
sprouting : germogliamento
starchy : ricco di amido
underneath : al di sotto