Vertical farming systems represent an innovative approach to urban agriculture that addresses food security in densely populated cities. These multi-s...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
Vertical farming systems represent an innovative approach to urban agriculture that addresses food security in densely populated cities. These multi-story facilities use hydroponic and aeroponic technologies to grow crops in controlled environments with minimal land use. While the concept has attracted significant attention from urban planners and environmental advocates, vertical farms remain economically challenging for widespread municipal adoption. Current operational costs are too high compared to traditional agriculture, and energy consumption for artificial lighting systems creates sustainability concerns. To overcome these barriers, agricultural engineers are developing more efficient LED systems and automated growing processes, while policy researchers are exploring subsidies and zoning incentives that could support urban farming initiatives.
Which choice best states the main idea of the text?
Vertical farming systems use hydroponic and aeroponic technologies more efficiently than traditional agriculture for producing crops in urban environments.
Further development and policy support for vertical farming systems is necessary before they can be widely implemented as urban food sources.
The growing interest from urban planners in vertical farming has led to increased municipal investment in multi-story agricultural facilities.
Vertical farming systems were designed to address food security concerns by using controlled environments and minimal land use in cities.
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Part A: Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| "Vertical farming systems represent an innovative approach to urban agriculture that addresses food security in densely populated cities." |
|
| "These multi-story facilities use hydroponic and aeroponic technologies to grow crops in controlled environments with minimal land use." |
|
| "While the concept has attracted significant attention from urban planners and environmental advocates, vertical farms remain economically challenging for widespread municipal adoption." |
|
| "Current operational costs are too high compared to traditional agriculture, and energy consumption for artificial lighting systems creates sustainability concerns." |
|
| "To overcome these barriers, agricultural engineers are developing more efficient LED systems and automated growing processes, while policy researchers are exploring subsidies and zoning incentives that could support urban farming initiatives." |
|
Part B: Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Vertical farming shows promise for urban food security but requires technological improvements and policy support before it can be widely adopted due to current economic challenges.
Argument Flow: The passage introduces vertical farming as an innovative solution to urban food security, then immediately presents the central tension while the concept attracts attention, economic barriers prevent widespread adoption. It supports this with specific cost and energy concerns, then concludes by showing how experts are actively working on both technological and policy solutions to overcome these barriers.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct answer should capture the passage central tension and resolution
- The passage presents vertical farming as promising but currently limited by economic challenges
- The key insight is that the passage does not just identify problems it emphasizes that solutions are being actively developed
- The main idea should reflect that vertical farming needs further development both technological and policy-wise before it can achieve its potential for widespread urban implementation
Vertical farming systems use hydroponic and aeroponic technologies more efficiently than traditional agriculture for producing crops in urban environments.
- Claims vertical farming is more efficient than traditional agriculture
- This contradicts the passage which explicitly states operational costs are too high compared to traditional agriculture
Further development and policy support for vertical farming systems is necessary before they can be widely implemented as urban food sources.
- Captures both the promise and the barriers identified
- Matches our prethinking about needing development and policy support
- Reflects the passage structure of current challenges requiring active solutions before widespread implementation
The growing interest from urban planners in vertical farming has led to increased municipal investment in multi-story agricultural facilities.
- Claims increased municipal investment has occurred
- The passage states vertical farms remain economically challenging for widespread municipal adoption with no evidence of actual increased investment
Vertical farming systems were designed to address food security concerns by using controlled environments and minimal land use in cities.
- Only describes what vertical farming was designed to do
- Misses the entire central tension about current barriers and needed solutions
- This is background information, not the main idea