Listening Answers

Note: The listening answers are at the bottom of this page.

Organic farming has become one of the fastest growing trends in agriculture recently. Over the past ten years, sales of organic products have increased a staggering 20 percent, with retail sales per year of more than 9 billion dollars. Farmers have realised that organic farming is an incredibly cost-effective method because it can potentially be used to control costs, as well as to appeal to higher-priced markets.

Apart from these monetary benefits, organic farming also naturally results in positive ecological outcomes for the environment. Organic farming relies on practices that do not harm the environment, and for this reason, chemicals and synthetic medicines are prohibited. All kinds of agricultural products can be produced organically, including grains, meat, eggs, and milk.

In order for agricultural products to be certified as organic, they must be grown and processed according to regulations established by the Department of Agriculture. Certification involves two stages: the submission of a system plan and an inspection of processing facilities. The certification process is a stringent one and must be undertaken every year.

In spite of these rigorous requirements, some people remain concerned about the safety of organic food. However, research has shown that organic produce contains lower levels of both chemicals and bacteria than food which is produced using conventional farming methods.

Last but not least, organic farms are better for wildlife that those run conventionally. Scientists have discovered that organic farms contain more species of plants, birds, and insects due to the fact that the absence of chemicals from pesticides and fertilisers makes these areas richer habitats for animals.

Listening Answers

1) What have farmers realised about organic farming?

a. It is more costly than conventional farming.

b. It is more cost-effective than conventional farming. [CORRECT]

c. It results in lower profits than conventional farming.

2) In what way does organic farming benefit the environment?

a. It does not use chemicals. [CORRECT]

b. It uses only synthetic materials.

c. It can be used to control produce.

3) What comment did the speaker make about the certification process?

a. Most farmers can pass it easily.

b. It involves a great deal of processing.

c. It involves quite strict standards. [CORRECT]

4) Which concern do some people have about organic food?

a. cost

b. safety [CORRECT]

c. production methods

5) How does organic farming improve wildlife?

a. It results in a greater variety of species. [CORRECT]

b. It reduces the amount of insects.

c. It increases livestock.

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