【雅思真题】栏目更新了2025年10月18日雅思考试中的一道阅读真题——《The Evolution of the Tomato》，以下为雅思阅读真题的具体题目：

2025年10月11日雅思考试阅读真题：

《The Evolution of the Tomato》

　　Few foods have travelled such a remarkable evolutionary journey as the tomato. Today, it is a central ingredient in cuisines around the world, yet its origin is both ancient and surprisingly complex. Scientists and historians have long been fascinated by how this once tiny fruit became a global staple.

　　Early archaeological evidence suggests that the tomato was first domesticated in South America thousands of years ago. Wild tomato plants still grow in the coastal highlands of the Andes, particularly in present-day Peru and Ecuador. These wild species produced fruits no larger than peas—far from the plump red varieties we know today. The first tomatoes were most likely collected by local tribes for their flavor and nutritional value, though they were initially more bitter than sweet.

　　The modern tomato owes much of its transformation to genetic change. Botanists believe the original ancestor was similar to the currant tomato, a species with small, bright-red fruit. Over centuries, through both natural selection and human cultivation, certain plants developed a mutation that led to larger, fleshier fruits. Farmers in early Mesoamerican civilizations such as the Aztecs and Mayans are thought to have noticed and preserved these variants. Eventually, they bred plants with smoother skin, higher sugar content, and deeper color—qualities that made the fruit more appealing for consumption and trade.

　　When Spanish explorers reached the Americas in the 16th century, they encountered this new crop and brought it back to Europe. However, Europeans were initially skeptical. The tomato, being part of the nightshade family, was believed to be poisonous. Some even associated it with witchcraft or disease. It took nearly two centuries before the tomato gained acceptance in European cooking, especially in Mediterranean countries such as Italy and Spain.

　　Modern genetic research continues to reveal more about the tomato’s development. Scientists have identified specific genes that control fruit size, flavor, and resistance to infections caused by bacteria or fungi. Interestingly, these genes have evolved in different ways depending on the climate and soil of each region where tomatoes are grown. This explains why varieties from Italy, Mexico, and China taste so distinct, despite belonging to the same species.

　　In recent years, agricultural biotechnology has played a major role in improving the tomato’s resilience and nutritional profile. Through precise gene editing, researchers are now able to enhance natural compounds like lycopene—an antioxidant known to reduce the risk of certain diseases—without altering the tomato’s traditional flavor. While this approach has sparked ethical debates, it continues the long story of humanity’s effort to refine one of nature’s most versatile plants.

　　2025年10月18日雅思考试阅读真题题目

　　Questions 1–8: Multiple Choice

　　Choose the correct letter A–G.

　　1. What does the passage mainly discuss?

　　A. The health benefits of eating tomatoes

　　B. The global popularity of tomatoes in cuisine

　　C. The cultural symbolism of tomatoes

　　F. The historical and genetic development of the tomato

　　2. Where were the earliest domesticated tomatoes found?

　　A. In the Andes region of South America

　　3. What was the main difference between ancient and modern tomatoes?

　　A. Their color

　　B. Their sugar content

　　E. Their size

　　4. What was the role of early Mesoamerican farmers?

　　A. They imported tomato seeds from Europe

　　B. They used tomatoes mainly for trade

　　C. They prevented tomatoes from being cultivated

　　D. They selectively bred plants with better traits

　　5. Why did Europeans hesitate to eat tomatoes at first?

　　A. They thought tomatoes might be toxic

　　B. They belonged to the nightshade family

　　6. What factor contributes to different regional tomato flavors?

　　A. The cooking methods used

　　B. The farming tools available

　　C. The local climate and soil conditions

　　7. What have modern scientists discovered about tomato genetics?

　　A. Tomatoes evolved from apples

　　B. Mutations have made them less healthy

　　D. Certain genes control fruit traits and resistance

　　8. What is one focus of recent biotechnological research?

　　A. Improving nutrition without changing taste

　　A. Enhancing health properties through gene editing

　　Questions 9–13: Fill in the Blanks

　　Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

　　9. Early evidence for tomato domestication comes from __________ findings.

　　10. Wild tomatoes were first found growing in the __________ mountains.

　　11. The earliest ancestor of the tomato resembled the __________ variety.

　　12. The increase in fruit size was caused by a genetic __________.

　　13. Scientists have identified genes that make tomatoes more resistant to __________.

　　【雅思真题】2025年10月18日雅思考试中的一道阅读真题———《The Evolution of the Tomato》，到这里结束了，欢迎大家进入说客英语官网的雅思真题栏目，了解更多的雅思真题，或者进入雅思考试栏目，了解雅思考试报名官网、雅思考试报名时间、雅思考试报名费用等雅思考试指南。