IELTS Reading Mini-Mock 2
📖
Reading Mini-Mock 2
⏱️ 15:00

The Rise of Vertical Farming

As urban populations grow and arable land becomes scarce, vertical farming has emerged as a promising solution. This method involves cultivating crops in stacked layers, often within controlled indoor environments. By using hydroponics and LED lighting, vertical farms can produce food year-round with minimal water and land usage. Cities like Tokyo and New York have adopted vertical farming to reduce food miles and improve sustainability.

Despite its advantages, vertical farming faces challenges. High energy costs, technical complexity, and limited crop variety are common concerns. Critics argue that the technology is not yet scalable for staple crops like wheat or rice. However, ongoing research and investment are driving innovation, and proponents believe vertical farming could play a key role in future food security.

📝 Questions 1-12

1. What is one benefit of vertical farming?

2. Vertical farming is widely used for wheat and rice.

3. Match the paragraphs to their main idea (A or B):

A. Benefits and adoption
B. Challenges and future

Paragraph 1:
Paragraph 2:

4. Complete the summary (ONE word only):

Vertical farms use and lighting to grow crops.

5. Complete the sentence:

Cities mentioned for vertical farming include .

6. Which city is mentioned for adopting vertical farming?

7. Select the TWO technologies explicitly mentioned in the text:

8. What is one challenge of vertical farming?

9. Critics believe vertical farming is scalable for all crops.

10. Complete the table (ONE word only):

Year-round production = costs
Sustainability = Limited

11. Fill in the flowchart step:

Urban demand → Innovation → → Food security

12. Why are cities adopting vertical farming?

Estimated Band Score

0.0

Correct: 0 / 12

📚 Answer Explanations

💡 Look at the reading passage on the left! The sentences containing the correct answers have been highlighted in gold for your review.

  1. Q1: B – Vertical farming enables year-round food production.
  2. Q2: False – Critics say it’s not scalable for wheat or rice.
  3. Q3: A – Paragraph 1: Benefits and adoption; B – Challenges and future.
  4. Q4: Vertical farms use hydroponics and LED lighting.
  5. Q5: Tokyo and New York are mentioned as examples.
  6. Q6: Tokyo is listed as a city adopting vertical farming.
  7. Q7: Hydroponics and LED lighting are mentioned; solar panels and genetic engineering are not.
  8. Q8: High energy costs are one of the main challenges.
  9. Q9: False – Critics argue vertical farming is not scalable for all crops.
  10. Q10: energy costs and limited crop variety are listed as challenges.
  11. Q11: research and investment drive innovation toward food security.
  12. Q12: B – Cities adopt vertical farming to reduce food miles and improve sustainability.