Watermelon

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/watermelon

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Citrullus lanatus
2. What is the geographic origin?Northeastern Africa, likely the Kalahari Desert region
3. Where did watermelon come from?Watermelon first grew in the deserts of northeastern Africa, like the Kalahari. It was cultivated in ancient Egypt over 5,000 years ago.
4. Why is watermelon good for staying hydrated?Watermelon is made of about 90-92% water, so it helps keep the body cool and hydrated on hot days.

Cucurbitaceae: The plant family that includes watermelons, cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins.
Pepo: A botanical classification for berries with a hard rind, characteristic of the Cucurbitaceae family.
Lycopene: A potent antioxidant pigment responsible for the red color of watermelon flesh, linked to health benefits.
Induced Polyploidy: A process used to create seedless watermelons by altering the plant's chromosome number.