Q 01/05

Cotton fibre is almost pure what?

A) Lignin

B) Protein

C) Cellulose

D) Keratin

Answer · why

C) Cellulose

It carries only minor traces of waxes, fats, pectins and water.

Q 02/05

What is the protective case in which cotton fibre grows around the seeds called?

A) A pod

B) A boll

C) A husk

D) A capsule

Answer · why

B) A boll

In the wild the fluffy fibre helps the plant disperse its seeds.

Q 03/05

The cotton genus Gossypium belongs to which group of plants, alongside hibiscus and okra?

A) The mallows

B) The legumes

C) The nettles

D) The grasses

Answer · why

A) The mallows

The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa.

Q 04/05

The word 'cotton' comes from which language's word 'qutn'?

A) Persian

B) Sanskrit

C) Arabic

D) Greek

Answer · why

C) Arabic

That in turn derives, ironically, from a Hebrew word for a garment made of linen.

Q 05/05

Which country is the world's largest producer of cotton?

A) Brazil

B) The United States

C) Egypt

D) India

Answer · why

D) India

India and China each grow around 17 to 18 million tonnes a year, mostly for their own textile industries; the US is the biggest exporter.