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Urban Gardens and Bees
IELTS Listening practice, 10 questions.
A lecture about bees and food production in cities.
Read the questions first, then play the recording once.
Transcript
Dr Hall: Today I would like to talk about an unexpected idea in city planning, which is the use of urban gardens to support bees. Many people think of bees as living in the countryside, but in recent years cities have become important places for them.
Dr Hall: There are several reasons. In the countryside, large farms often grow only one crop, so bees have flowers for just a few weeks in the year. In a city, there are parks, balconies, roof gardens and even window boxes, and they offer a wider mix of flowers that bloom over a longer season.
Dr Hall: A second reason is the use of chemicals. Farmers often spray crops to kill insects, and some of these sprays also harm bees. In city gardens, the use of chemicals is generally lower, although this depends on the habits of the gardener.
Dr Hall: A study in one large city counted the bees in twenty gardens. It found that gardens with at least ten kinds of flowers had twice as many bees as gardens with only a lawn. Even a small garden of four square metres made a difference.
Dr Hall: Cities also have some disadvantages for bees. There are fewer places for wild species to nest, because bare soil and old walls are often replaced with concrete. Some councils are now installing small nesting boxes made of wood with drilled holes, and these have been used by several species.
Dr Hall: What can ordinary residents do? First, plant flowers with open shapes, such as daisies and sunflowers, which are easy for bees to reach. Second, leave a small area of the garden uncut, so that wild plants can grow. Third, provide a shallow dish of water with stones in it, so that the bees can drink without drowning.
Dr Hall: In conclusion, cities are not a replacement for the countryside, but they can offer a safe place for bees. This matters because many of our fruits and vegetables depend on bees for pollination, and a healthy bee population is good for food production everywhere.