IELTS Reading Practice Test 1
**The Rise of Urban Farming**
Urban farming, also known as urban agriculture, is a growing trend in cities worldwide. As populations in urban areas continue to rise, so does the demand for food. Urban farming is a solution that seeks to address food insecurity and reduce the environmental impact of food production. This practice involves cultivating, processing, and distributing food within city boundaries. Urban farming can take many forms, from rooftop gardens and community plots to vertical farms and hydroponic systems.
One of the primary benefits of urban farming is its ability to provide fresh, locally-grown produce to city dwellers. In many cities, fresh produce is either expensive or difficult to access, particularly in low-income areas. Urban farms can help bridge this gap by producing food close to where people live, reducing the need for transportation and the associated carbon emissions.
In addition to improving food security, urban farming offers a range of environmental benefits. Growing food in cities reduces the need for large-scale agricultural operations, which are often associated with deforestation, habitat loss, and soil degradation. Furthermore, urban farms can utilize unused or underutilized spaces, such as vacant lots or rooftops, turning them into productive green spaces. This helps to increase biodiversity in urban areas and can improve air and soil quality.
Another innovative aspect of urban farming is the use of technology. Vertical farming, for example, involves growing crops in stacked layers, often in controlled indoor environments. This method uses less space and water than traditional farming, making it ideal for densely populated urban areas. Similarly, hydroponics—a method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water—allows for food production in places where soil quality is poor or non-existent.
Despite the many benefits of urban farming, there are also challenges. One significant issue is the limited space available in cities, which can make it difficult to scale up food production to meet the needs of large populations. Additionally, urban farms can face regulatory hurdles, such as zoning laws that restrict agricultural activities in certain areas. Another challenge is the cost of setting up and maintaining urban farms, particularly when using advanced technologies like vertical farming or hydroponics.
Nevertheless, the potential of urban farming is being recognized by city planners and policymakers worldwide. In cities like New York, Singapore, and Tokyo, urban farming initiatives are being integrated into sustainable development plans. These cities are investing in urban agriculture not only as a means of improving food security but also as a way to address environmental and social issues.
As the world’s population continues to grow and urbanize, the need for innovative and sustainable food systems will only increase. Urban farming offers a promising solution to some of the challenges facing modern cities, helping to create more resilient, sustainable, and food-secure urban environments.
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#### Questions:
**Questions 1-5:**
**Complete the summary below.**
Choose **NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS** from the passage for each answer.
Urban farming is a practice that focuses on growing, processing, and distributing food within (1) _____________. It helps reduce food insecurity by providing fresh produce in cities and minimizing (2) ____________ emissions from transportation. Urban farming also helps to utilize underused urban spaces, improving (3) _____________ and contributing to better air and soil quality. Technologies like (4) ____________ farming and hydroponics make it possible to grow food efficiently in areas with limited space. However, challenges include limited urban (5) _____________ and regulatory obstacles.
**Questions 6-9:**
**Do the following statements agree with the information given in the passage?**
Write:
- **TRUE** if the statement agrees with the information.
- **FALSE** if the statement contradicts the information.
- **NOT GIVEN** if there is no information on this.
6. Urban farming is more expensive than traditional agriculture.
7. Urban farming can reduce the need for large-scale agricultural operations.
8. New York has banned urban farming in certain areas of the city.
9. Urban farms in low-income areas are more successful than those in wealthy neighborhoods.
**Questions 10-13:**
**Answer the questions below using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS from the passage.**
10. What kind of farming is done using stacked layers in a controlled environment?
11. Which type of farming does not require soil to grow plants?
12. In addition to food security, what other type of issue are cities addressing with urban farming?
13. Name one city mentioned in the passage that is investing in urban farming.
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#### Answers:
**Questions 1-5:**
1. city boundaries
2. carbon
3. biodiversity
4. vertical
5. space
**Questions 6-9:**
6. NOT GIVEN
7. TRUE
8. FALSE
9. NOT GIVEN
**Questions 10-13:**
10. vertical farming
11. hydroponics
12. environmental (issues)
13. New York
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This passage and the accompanying questions follow the format of an IELTS Reading test, offering a variety of question types to help you practice the skills needed for the exam.
