Table of Contents
BEST IELTS General Reading Test 573
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST 573 – PASSAGE – 3
IELTS GENERAL READING TEST – 573
READING PASSAGE – 3
The Rise of Urban Gardening
In the midst of high-rise buildings, concrete roads, and limited green space, a quiet revolution is taking place: urban gardening. As cities continue to grow and populations increase, many people are turning to rooftops, balconies, community plots, and vertical planters to grow their own food. This modern movement is not just about plants—it reflects a growing desire for sustainability, self-sufficiency, and connection to nature.
Urban gardening has seen a dramatic rise in the past decade, particularly in densely populated cities like New York, Tokyo, and Mumbai. In these cities, traditional gardening is almost impossible due to limited space. Urban dwellers, however, are finding innovative ways to grow vegetables, herbs, and even fruits in containers, hydroponic towers, and recycled materials. Some apartment buildings are now designed with dedicated green roofs where residents can plant collectively.
IELTS General Reading Test
Dr. Karen Miles, an environmental sociologist, suggests that urban gardening represents a shift in how city residents view food and space. “In the past, food was something people purchased without much thought. Today, many are curious about where their food comes from and how it is grown,” she says. According to Miles, people are also discovering the therapeutic benefits of gardening—such as reduced stress, increased mindfulness, and even improved mental health.
Community gardens are at the heart of the movement. These shared spaces are often created on vacant lots or underutilised land. Residents work together to grow food, learn skills, and build friendships. In cities where isolation is common, community gardens foster a sense of belonging and cooperation. Some municipal governments are supporting these projects through grants and land-sharing agreements.
IELTS General Reading Test
Of course, urban gardening comes with its challenges. Space limitations are obvious, but there are also concerns about soil contamination, pests, and irregular sunlight. To tackle these, many urban gardeners turn to raised beds, soil testing, and crop rotation techniques. In areas with extreme weather, gardeners have adopted greenhouse-style covers or indoor systems with artificial lighting.
An increasing number of businesses are also participating in the trend. Cafés, schools, and office buildings are setting up herb gardens and edible walls. Restaurants often use produce grown on-site to enhance their sustainability profile. In London, one restaurant even cultivates mushrooms in a repurposed underground tunnel. These initiatives reduce food miles and allow businesses to educate customers about sustainability.
IELTS General Reading Test
Another factor driving urban gardening is the concern about food security. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many cities faced temporary shortages of fresh produce due to supply chain disruptions. As a result, people began planting their own food to supplement what they could buy. This sparked an increase in online gardening tutorials, seed sales, and interest in permaculture practices.
While urban gardening cannot replace traditional agriculture, experts believe it can play a complementary role in the global food system. Small-scale urban plots may not feed entire cities, but they can increase awareness, reduce waste, and empower individuals to take part in a more sustainable future. Whether it’s a tomato plant on a balcony or a full-scale community greenhouse, urban gardening offers more than food—it offers hope, healing, and connection in the heart of the city.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 29–33
Match each statement with the person or organisation it relates to.
Write the correct letter, A–D.
A. Dr. Karen Miles
B. Municipal governments
C. Businesses
D. Gardening experts
29. Believe gardening can help improve people’s emotional well-being.
30. Support gardening efforts by offering financial or land resources.
31. Use urban gardens to reduce the distance food travels.
32. Think city gardening can contribute to larger food sustainability goals.
33. Say people now care more about how food is grown.
IELTS General Reading Test
Questions 34–40
Do the following statements agree with the information in the passage? Write:
TRUE – if the statement agrees with the text
FALSE – if the statement contradicts the text
NOT GIVEN – if there is no information on this
34. Urban gardening has declined in popularity in rural areas.
35. Some buildings are designed to include shared garden spaces.
36. Community gardening projects often lead to neighbour disputes.
37. Urban gardeners may face problems with sunlight and pests.
38. Artificial lighting is used in some city-based indoor gardens.
39. Restaurants with gardens often grow rice and wheat on rooftops.
40. Urban gardening became more popular during the pandemic due to supply issues.
IELTS General Reading Test
IELTS General Reading Test
ANSWERS
29. A
30. B
31. C
32. D
33. A
34. NOT GIVEN
35. TRUE
36. FALSE
37. TRUE
38. TRUE
39. FALSE
40. TRUE
IELTS General Reading Test