Read the passage below.

Harum manis mango is one of the fruits that has high economic demand and potential for
Malaysia export business especially for Perlis state in Malaysia. It is called Harum manis mango
because of its aroma and sweet taste. The Harum manis mango grows so well in Perlis, thanks
to the climate and suitable terrain for this type of fruit. Harum manis mango is so popular that it
is even pre-booked online, way before it ripens. It is known for its rich, sweet flavor and
succulent flesh. Moreover, it is the geographical area that makes the Harum manis mango so
distinctive. As the season of this mango is very limited, it is highly valued for export and
therefore attracts high prices. Its season starts in early April and ends in early June.

Perlis exported 3.1 metric tons of Harum manis mango to Japan in 2010 and has targeted
the export demand to increase to 100 metric tons by 2020. Harum manis mango tree is a yearly
fruit bearing trees and reproductive phase of the mango trees often starts from January and
ends nearly on June. This type of mango is highly sensitive to the climate and only grows in
Perlis and part of Surabaya in Indonesia. It requires a significant dry weather period to initial
flowering and the productive phase can be significantly affected by the change in the weather.

The Perlis State Department of Agriculture takes special interest in the cultivation
practices of this tree to ensure that the quality of the mango is maintained. A mango tree can
produce between 200 and 300 mangoes per year. The fruit that is picked is processed on the
same day. Using a grading machine, the fruit is graded according to its weight. It is then washed
and treated with hot water to ensure that the fruit is free of fungus. Once the fruit is dry, it is
stored for 72 hours. Subsequently, it is graded again, packed and sent for distribution.
The harvest season for the Harum manis mango is sort, only between for and six weeks per
year. Harum manis mango can be sold for between RM18 and RM30 a kilogramme and a
kilogramme of Harum manis is only one to three fruits. It is eagerly awaited not only by
Malaysians, but people from other countries like Japan and Thailand too.

Read the passage carefully and answer questions (a) (i).

a) Why does Harum manis mango grow well in Perlis?

________________________________________________________________ [1 mark]

b) What makes the Harum manis mango so distinctive?

 ______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
c) When is Harum manis mango season?
______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
d) Where is Harum manis mango grown?
______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]

e) Why is the fruit washed and treated with hot water?

______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]

f) How is the fruit processed after 72 hours stored?

______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]

g) Fill in the table with an appropriate word from the passage.

MEANING WORD

i) having special quality, style, characteristics

ii) something that is produced
iii) likely to be affected by
iv) the growing of plants

[4 mark]
h) How do you know that the fruit is also popular overseas?
______________________________________________________________ [1 mark]

i) Suggest two ways to promote local fruits.

i) _____________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
j)
k)
ii)_____________________________________________________________ [1 mark]

j) Why is it important to support local fruits? State two reasons.

i) _____________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
 ii)_____________________________________________________________ [1 mark]
[15 marks]

ANSWERS

a) The climate and suitable terrain for this type of fruit

b) The geographical area
c) It starts in early April and ends in early June
d) In Perlis and part of Surabaya in Indonesia
e) To ensure that the fruit is free of fungus
f) It is graded again, packed and sent for distribution
g) i- distinctive
ii- bearing
iii-sensitive
iv-cultivation
h) It is also eagerly awaited by people from other countries like Japan and Thailand too
i) Accept any suitable answers
j) Accept any suitable answers