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IELTS 21 Academic · Test 4

Reading · Part 3

How Cities Grow Food

A Urban farming is often seen as a modern trend, but cities have always grown food. In the past, many households kept chickens and vegetable plots.

B Today, new methods are emerging. Vertical farms grow crops in stacked layers under LED lights, using far less water than fields. Rooftop gardens supply restaurants just a few floors below.

C Supporters say local growing reduces transport and gives residents fresh produce. Community gardens also bring neighbours together and improve wellbeing.

D Critics point out that vertical farms use a lot of electricity, and most only grow leafy greens and herbs. Staple crops such as wheat still need large areas of land.

E Most experts conclude that urban farming will not feed whole cities, but it can make food systems more resilient and help people understand where food comes from.

Questions 28–35: Complete the sentences below. Choose ONE WORD ONLY from the passage for each answer.
Questions 36–40: Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage? Choose TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN.

Urban farming is often seen as a modern trend, but cities have always grown 28.

Vertical farms grow crops in stacked layers under 29 lights, using far less water than fields.

Vertical farms grow crops in stacked layers under LED lights, using far less 30 than fields.

Supporters say local growing reduces transport and gives residents fresh 31.

Community gardens also bring neighbours together and improve 32.

Critics point out that vertical farms use a lot of 33, and most only grow leafy greens and herbs.

Staple crops such as wheat still need large areas of 34.

Most experts conclude that urban farming will not feed whole cities, but it can make food systems more 35 and help people understand where food comes from.

  1. 36

    Growing food in cities is a completely new idea.

  2. 37

    Vertical farms use less water than fields.

  3. 38

    Rooftop gardens are more profitable than vertical farms.

  4. 39

    Vertical farms mainly grow wheat.

  5. 40

    Experts think urban farming can make food systems stronger.

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