IELTS Vocabulary for Academic Reading – Crop-growing

In this IELTS Vocabulary lesson for academic reading, I look at a paragraph from the IELTS 11 book by Cambridge University Press (Test 1 Reading 1) on crop-growing skyscrapers. We analyze the high-level vocabulary and expressions in this paragraph as well as how the words are used to improve the cohesion of the paragraph.

I recommend doing this kind of exercise with as many reading tests as you can. They are very useful for learning new vocabulary and improving all four of your IELTS skills.

Sample Reading Test Paragraph

By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the Earth’s population will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about three billion people by then. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming methods continue as they are practised today. At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use. Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. What can be done to ensure enough food for the world’s population to live on?

IELTS Academic Reading Vocabulary Highlights

1. population
2. urban centres
3. conservative estimates
4. demographic trends
5. hectares
6. at present
7. is suitable for
8. raising crops
9. some 15%
10. has been laid waste by
11. poor management practices
12. ensure
13. live on

Vocabulary Highlights – Cohesion

By the year 2050 (1), nearly 80% of the Earth’s population (2) will live in urban centres. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population (2) will increase by about three billion people by then (3). An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% larger than Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food (4) to feed them (3), if traditional farming methods (4) continue as they (3) are practiced (4) today. At present (1), throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops (4) is in use. Historically, some 15% of that (3) has been laid waste by poor management practices. What can be done to ensure enough food for the world’s population (2) to live on?

1. time markers
2. synonyms
3. referencing
4. vocabulary group

Suggestions for IELTS Academic Reading Vocabulary Practice

Put the words and phrases you don’t know onto flash cards.

• One side is the sentence without the word/phrase.
• The other side is the word/phrase.

After reading the paragraph several times, try to rewrite the paragraph by only looking at the vocabulary words/phrases you have selected. Compare your version with the original to see what is different.

Look up more example sentences using a dictionary or search engine (like Google). After that, write your own example sentences.

More IELTS Vocabulary Lessons