NIMCET 2020 — English PYQ

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the questions:

A Lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae living among filaments of multiple fungi in a symbioticrelationship. The combined lichen has properties different from those of its component organisms. Lichens come in manycolours, sizes and forms. The properties are sometimes plant-like, but lichens are not plants. Lichens may have tiny leaflessbranches, flat leaflike structures or flakes that lie on the surface like peeling paint or other growth forms.

Lichens occur from sea level to high alpine elevations, in many environmental conditions and can grow on almost any surface.Different kinds of lichens have adapted to survive in some of the most extreme environments on earth such as Arctic, Tundra,hot dry deserts, rocky coasts, and toxic slag heaps. They can even live inside solid rocks, growing between the grains.

It is estimated that 6% of the earth's land surface is covered by lichens. Some of them are considered to be the oldest livingthings. They are among the first living things to grow on fresh rock exposed after an event such as a landslide. The long-life spanand slow but regular growth rate of some lichens can be used to date events.

Identify the one word opposite to SPAN in meaning: