Comprehension [ 23 ] Upper Intermediate & Advanced

23 - ] Comprehension

Upper Intermediate & Advanced 

Read the following passage , then answer the questions below . Do not look back at the passage . Compare your answers to the Answer Key . Check any incorrect answers by reading the passage .

                From 1950 to 1980 , the so-called “Green Revolution” swept the world . World food production doubled with the introduction of a new approach to agriculture . It involved the large-scale cultivation of new types of grain ( wheat , corn , and rice ) , and the extensive use of chemicals and farm machinery .

                 These features were the cause of the early , enormous success of this “revolution” . However , the “Green Revolution” methods no longer appear to be so successful . Though the population continues to grow , food production has failed to keep up with it .

                There are a number of reasons for this . One reason lies in the expense of the new farming methods . The new kinds of grain produce much more than traditional grains , but only under certain conditions . In order to get maximum production , farmers must use large amounts of expensive chemical fertilizers . They also need to use expensive chemical insecticides since the new grains are more easily damaged by insects . Expensive watering systems are also necessary for these grains , especially in drier areas . Many farmers cannot afford to buy all the chemicals and equipment .

                  Erosion is another reason for the lower grain production . The large-scale farming of a single crop creates the perfect conditions for erosion . In dry areas , especially , the loss of top soil has lowered the productivity of the land . In these areas , also , grain production has been limited by the lack of water . The new types of grain , in fact , require much more water than the grains people used to grow .

                   Yet another reason for lower production lies in the nature of the chemicals that farmers have used . Though these fertilizers and pesticides raise production levels at first , they must be used in increasing amounts after that . Many farmers cannot afford to buy more , and so production decreases . These chemicals have other effects that are expensive in the long run . They flow into the ground water , causing pollution and health problems . As people learn about these problems , they put pressure on farmers to further limit their use of chemicals .

                 Finally , the Green Revolution has brought about social and political conflict that has interfered with food production . The problem lies in the cost of the new agricultural methods . Only the larger landowners can afford to make the necessary investments for maximum production of the new grains . With their profits , the large landowners then buy land from the smaller farmers . This way , the large landowners become ever richer and the number of landless poor people increases . Social tensions naturally increase in this situation .

                 Clearly , it is time to question the methods of the Green Revolution . Governments and farmers need to look at the overall picture and long-term effects . They need to find new methods that will better meet the needs of the world’s hungry people and will also be less destructive .

Circle the best answers to the following questions . Do not look back at the passage .

1 . This passage is about

( A ) how the Green Revolution increased grain production .

( B ) the environmental effects of the Green Revolution .

( C ) some negative aspects of the Green Revolution .

( D ) the success of the Green Revolution .

2 . The production of grain worldwide has

( A ) not kept up with the world population .

( B ) increased faster than the population has increased .

( C ) more than doubled in recent years .

( D ) decreased by half in recent years .

3 . The new types of grain are  

( A ) easier to cultivate than the traditional kinds .

( B ) more expensive to cultivate than the traditional kinds .

( C ) cheaper to cultivate than the traditional kinds .

( D ) better tasting than the traditional kinds .

4 . Erosion is often the result of

( A ) traditional methods of farming .

( B ) the costliness of farm equipment .

( C ) the use of too much water in farming .

( D ) single crop farming on a large scale .

5 . Chemical fertilizers and insecticides

( A ) rarely have any effect on people .

( B ) can cause large-scale erosion .

( C ) are both expensive and damaging .

( D ) are not always necessary with the new types of grain .

6 . In some regions , the new farming methods have

( A ) increased the differences between rich and poor .

( B ) increased the size of the middle class .

( C ) encouraged small farmers to produce more .

( D ) increased the profits of both rich and poor .

7 . We can infer from this passage that traditional farming methods were probably

( A ) more expensive .

( B ) less damaging to people and the environment .

( C ) preferred by the large landowners .

( D ) the cause of many social problems .

8 . The Green Revolution methods are

( A ) the most productive that we know .

( B ) damaging only to farmers .

( C ) often unproductive and destructive .

( D ) the only way to solve the problem of world hunger .

Answer Key

1 . C 2 . A 3 . B 4 . D 5 . C 6 . A 7 . B 8 . C