Reading Sample Questions
Text: Indoor farming
In recent years, people have started to create more and more artificial environments. These are manmade places where the temperature and light are carefully controlled by machines. You can find them in cities, homes, shopping centres, and even underground shelters. While these environments may look like nature, they are completely man-made. Some people believe they can help us deal with climate change and food problems, but others are not so sure. One example is indoor farming. In some cities, companies are growing vegetables inside shipping containers or old underground rooms. These “vertical farms” use special lights and water systems to grow plants without soil, and plants can grow at different levels on top of each other. This method can produce food all year round, even in places where the weather is bad or land is limited. It also uses less water than traditional farming. In Singapore, giant glass buildings called domes protect rare plants from hot and dry conditions. These “gardens under glass” are popular with tourists and help to save some plant species from disappearing. They are carefully designed to use as little energy as possible. Similar buildings can be found in other parts of the world too, like in the UK and the Middle East. Artificial environments are also used for fun. Shopping malls and holiday centres now offer indoor ski slopes, tropical beaches, rain showers, and even virtual golf courses. People can enjoy experiences from around the world without leaving the building. In some cases, like in Dubai or Kazakhstan, entire indoor cities have been planned, with homes, shops and schools all under one roof. While these ideas may sound exciting or helpful, there are also problems. First, artificial environments can fail. Machines can break down or use more energy than planned. For example, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway was built to protect plant seeds from disasters. But it was damaged by melting permafrost just a few years after it opened. Another concern is fairness. Most of these controlled environments are expensive and can only be used by people in rich cities or countries. This creates a bigger gap between those who can afford protection and those who cannot. In a future with more extreme weather and rising food prices, this could become a serious problem.
Questions
1. Why might vertical farms be useful in cities?
A) They don’t need much space or good weather.
B) They clean city air while growing plants.
C) They can grow trees and fruits quickly.
D) They can stop buildings from flooding.
2. What is a man-made place that looks like nature?
A) a building where plants grow inside
B) a building with lots of windows
C) a room with flowers and plants
D) a park with trees and animals
3. What is the purpose of the glass domes in Singapore?
A) to give shade to city workers
B) to protect unusual plants from heat
C) to sell food to local people
D) to keep insects away from homes
4. Where can artificial environments be found?
A) In large forests
B) In cities and homes
C) In fields and lakes
D) In deserts and farms
5. The word concern in paragraph 6 is closest in meaning to:
A) mistake
B) worry
C) solution
D) difference
6. The word controlled in paragraph 1 is closest in meaning to:
A) managed
B) copied
C) cleaned
D) changed
7. The word rare in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to:
A) easy to find
B) not very common
C) cold and dry
D) very old
8. What can we suppose about indoor ski slopes and beaches?
A) They close during days of hot weather.
B) They let people try many things in one place.
C) They are made for young people only.
D) They use old machines for some sports.
9. What can we learn from the damage to the Seed Vault?
A) It was designed to handle changing weather.
B) Most artificial systems are cheap to repair.
C) Farmers no longer want to grow food outside.
D) Strong designs can fail when nature changes .
10. What problem may happen if people use only indoor nature?
A) They will eventually become tired of travel.
B) They may stop growing food altogether.
C) They may care less about nature inside.
D) They may think wild spaces are not needed.
11. Why do some people think artificial environments are unfair?
A) They cost too much for many people.
B) They are only found in rich countries.
C) They use energy that is too expensive for many people.
D) They are not available to people in poor areas.
12. In vertical farms, plants can grow in water and light systems instead of in ______.
(para. 2)
Insert a word above
13. The Seed Vault failed when frozen ground around it, called ______, began to melt.
Insert a word above
14. Artificial environments are usually built outside cities
A) True
B) False
C) NOT GIVEN
15. Vertical farms can grow food in every season.
A) True
B) False
C) NOT GIVEN
16. Artificial environments tend to use more energy than expected.
A) True
B) False
C) NOT GIVEN
