IELTS has four parts: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. The Reading test checks if you can understand a passage, find specific details and follow how ideas are developed from one paragraph to the next.
New Agriculture in Oregon US is about farmers and scientists who are trying to grow good crops with less water and fewer chemicals. It covers integrated pest management (IPM), a government report that criticised how IPM is promoted, and several experiments with onions and pears. Many people speak in the passage, so keeping track of who said what is half the job.
This page gives you a practice version of that passage, 13 questions and the full new agriculture in Oregon reading answers with explanations. The passage is reworded and the questions are original, so they won’t match a published paper word for word.
Here’s the official answer key for your reference:
Question
Answer
1
E - Art Pimms
2
D - Paul Jepson
3
C - Bill Bowler
4
A - Tony Brown
5
F - Steve Black
6
D - Paul Jepson
7
B - Patrick Leahy
8
G - Rick Hilton
9
NO
10
YES
11
NO
12
YES
13
NOT GIVEN
These are the answers for New Agriculture in Oregon US Reading Answers. You can now attempt the practice test below and then check your answers with the explanations to understand how each response is supported by the passage.
New Agriculture in Oregon US IELTS Reading Passage for Practice
This IELTS reading test passage focus on the the the concept can farmers use less water and fewer toxic chemicals and still grow top-quality crops? In Oregon, some already do. This passage looks at what they changed, what the researchers found, and why the rest of the country has been slower to follow.
Read it carefully, then answer the questions. Aim to finish in about 20 minutes.
New Agriculture in Oregon, US
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A Farmers in Oregon are finding ways to grow good crops with fewer inputs. In the east, onion growers have moved to a system that saves water and keeps topsoil on the field. They still produce “super-colossal” onions, the top size grade. In the south, pear growers have cut their use of some of the most toxic pesticides by as much as two-thirds, and the fruit is still first class. Across the state, range managers have used insects that feed on tansy ragwort, a poisonous weed, to bring it under control. This has saved the livestock industry as much as $4.8 million a year.
B These results came from growers working with researchers at Oregon State University (OSU), who test new farming methods, among them integrated pest management (IPM). Elsewhere in the United States, IPM has done less well. A recent report by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) found that IPM can cut pesticide use sharply, but that the federal government has not done enough to promote it. Farmers have their own complaint. They say the government hasn’t made the new options appealing. Tony Brown of the National Farmers Association says changing how pests are controlled on a farm costs a great deal, and that farmers would adopt new practices willingly if tax breaks covered some of the cost. The report adds that, although the use of the riskiest pesticides has fallen, they still make up over 40 percent of all pesticides used, and total pesticide use has gone up by 40 million kilograms since 1992. Patrick Leahy, who asked for the report, said the country’s food is still the safest and best in the world, but that farmland is being overloaded with strong, toxic chemicals while safe alternatives are not used enough. Green groups don’t agree about food safety. Bill Bowler of Green Action says that eating food grown with such chemicals day after day can’t be good for consumers.
C The GAO report singles out Oregon’s apple and pear growers, who have had growing success with the new techniques. Oregon is well ahead of the rest of the country, but OSU scientists are taking the criticism seriously. Paul Jepson, a professor of entomology and the new director of OSU’s Integrated Plant Protection Centre (IPPC), says they must keep developing practices that cut environmental risk and still give good products.
D The IPPC brings together scientists from OSU’s Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Oregon farmers. Their aim is to create farming systems that save water and soil and use fewer pesticides. After the GAO report, the Centre is putting more weight on linking research with real farm practice, to help Oregon agriculture both environmentally and economically.
E Jepson says the report was right to criticise agencies for not explaining the aims of IPM clearly. In his view, the challenge is to improve communication in both directions, so that researchers learn from growers what works and what doesn’t. Research from OSU, he says, has to be used in the field and not sit unread in scientific journals.
F In Oregon, growers and scientists work side by side to try out new practices. A few years ago, researchers at OSU’s Malheur Experiment Station began testing drip irrigation to replace old ditches. The ditches wasted water and carried soil and fertiliser into streams. The drip system cut water and fertiliser use in half, kept topsoil in place and protected water quality.
G The new system also grew very large onions, graded “super-colossal”, which restaurants and food processors value highly. Art Pimms, a Malheur researcher, says growers are finding that gentler practices can give excellent results. The new methods help the environment, and they help growers succeed.
H Next, the Malheur researchers tried straw mulch. It held the soil in place and kept the ground moist with less watering. The scientists also found, unexpectedly, that mulched soil became a home for beetles and spiders that eat onion thrips, a notorious pest of commercial onions. That finding could reduce the need for pesticides. Steve Black, an onion farmer in Oregon, says he never thought the old artificial pest controls could be replaced without losing good results, yet the results have gone beyond his expectations.
I OSU researchers across the state are trying to reduce the reliance on broad-spectrum chemical sprays, which are toxic to many living things, humans included. Rick Hilton, an entomologist at OSU’s Southern Oregon Research and Extension Centre, says consumers are rightly pushing the industry to move away from chemicals, but they still want perfect-looking fruit. Perfect pears are an important product in Oregon and have usually needed a lot of chemicals. The industry now faces tough competition from overseas, so new methods have to make economic sense as well as environmental sense. Hilton is testing a growth regulator that interferes with the moulting of codling moth larvae. Another study used pheromone dispensers to disrupt the moths’ mating. Together with other IPM methods, these have let pear growers cut organophosphates by two-thirds and other synthetic pesticides by even more, with no loss of fruit quality. These studies are part of the IPPC’s wider effort to find farming practices that serve both the economy and the environment.
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New Agriculture in Oregon US Reading Practice Questions
Now test yourself. The questions ask you to link people to their opinions, and to decide if statements agree with the views in the passage.
Watch out for paraphrasing. The questions rarely use the same words as the passage.
Questions 1–8: Matching Features
Look at the following statements and the list of people below.
Match each statement with the correct person, A–G.
Write the correct letter A–G in boxes 1–8.
Note: You may use any letter more than once.
Farmers would readily accept new practices if they got financial help.
Eating food grown with toxic chemicals as a regular habit cannot be healthy.
Research from the university must be put to use on farms and not just published.
Replacing artificial pest controls gave better results than he had expected.
Customers want less use of chemicals, but they still expect fruit to look flawless.
The country’s food is safe and of high quality, but too many powerful chemicals are used on farmland.
Environmentally friendly practices can bring growers excellent results.
Communication with growers about the aims of pest management needs to improve.
List of People
A. Tony Brown B. Patrick Leahy C. Bill Bowler D. Paul Jepson E. Art Pimms F. Steve Black G. Rick Hilton
Questions 9–13: Yes, No, Not Given
Do the following statements agree with the views or claims of the writer in the passage?
Write
YES if the statement agrees with the views of the writer NO if the statement contradicts the views of the writer NOT GIVEN if it is impossible to say what the writer thinks about this
Oregon’s pear growers have reduced their use of the most toxic pesticides and still grow high-quality fruit.
The federal government has done a good job of promoting integrated pest management across the country.
Straw mulch lowers the amount of watering that onion fields need.
Competition from overseas producers has had no effect on Oregon’s pear industry.
Onion thrips cause more damage than any other pest in Oregon.
New Agriculture in Oregon US Reading Answers with Explanation
Done with the questions? Use the new agriculture in Oregon reading answers with location below to check each response. You’ll see where each answer sits in the passage, and where the common traps are.
Answers 1–8: Matching Features
Answer 1: A. Tony Brown Paragraph B says Tony Brown thinks farmers would take up the new practices willingly if tax breaks offset the cost. “Financial help” is the question’s word for tax breaks. Watch out for Patrick Leahy, who is also in the same paragraph. He talks about overuse of chemicals, not about money for farmers. Answer location: Paragraph B, sentences 5 and 6
Answer 2: C. Bill Bowler Bowler is the Green Action spokesman. He says that regularly eating food grown with toxic chemicals can’t be healthy. The question says “regular habit”, and the passage says “day after day”. Same meaning. Answer location: Paragraph B, last sentence
Answer 3: D. Paul Jepson In Paragraph E, Jepson says OSU’s research has to be used in the field and not sit unread in scientific journals. “Published” in the question is the same idea as “in journals”. Note that this paragraph is about Jepson only. Answer location: Paragraph E, last sentence
Answer 4: F. Steve Black Paragraph H quotes Black, the onion farmer. He didn’t think artificial pest controls could be replaced without losing good results, but the results went beyond his expectations. That is the same as “better results than he had expected”. Answer location: Paragraph H, last sentence
Answer 5: G. Rick Hilton Paragraph I says Hilton believes consumers are right to push the industry to cut chemicals, but they still want perfect-looking fruit. “Flawless” is the question’s word for “perfect-looking”. Don’t mix this up with Bill Bowler, who speaks about health and not about appearance. Answer location: Paragraph I, sentence 2
Answer 6: B. Patrick Leahy Leahy asked for the GAO report. In Paragraph B he says the country’s food is the safest and best in the world, but that farmland is overloaded with strong, toxic chemicals. Both halves of the statement are in his comment, which makes it a good match. Answer location: Paragraph B, sentence 9
Answer 7: E. Art Pimms Paragraph G says Pimms, a Malheur researcher, believes growers are finding that gentler practices can give excellent results. “Environmentally friendly” is the question’s way of saying “gentler” in this case. Steve Black also talks about good results, but he is describing his own farm. Answer location: Paragraph G, sentence 2
Answer 8: D. Paul Jepson In Paragraph E, Jepson says the challenge is to improve communication to and from growers. This is the second answer for Jepson, and that’s allowed. The instructions say a letter may be used more than once. Answer location: Paragraph E, sentences 1 and 2
Answers 9–13: Yes, No, Not Given
Answer 9: YES Paragraph A says southern Oregon pear growers cut some of the most toxic pesticides by up to two-thirds and still produce top-quality pears. Paragraph I repeats the point. So the statement agrees with the passage. Answer location: Paragraph A, sentence 3; Paragraph I, last sentences
Answer 10: NO Paragraph B says the GAO report found that the federal government has not been effective in promoting IPM. The statement says it has done a good job. That’s the opposite, so the answer is No. Answer location: Paragraph B, sentence 3
Answer 11: YES Paragraph H says straw mulch kept the ground moist with less irrigation. “Less watering” in the statement matches “less irrigation”. Same idea. Answer location: Paragraph H, sentence 2
Answer 12: NO Paragraph I says the pear industry now faces tough competition from overseas, so new methods have to make economic sense. The statement says there has been no effect. That contradicts the passage. Answer location: Paragraph I, sentence 5
Answer 13: NOT GIVEN Paragraph H calls onion thrips a notorious pest of commercial onions. But it never compares them with other pests, and it doesn’t say how much damage they do. The words “more than any other pest” are a clue, since the passage gives no comparison. So you can’t say Yes or No. Answer location: Paragraph H, no information on this
Important Vocabulary for New Agriculture in Oregon, US IELTS Reading Passage
This passage has a lot of farming and science words. The questions often replace them with simpler ones, so learn the main ones before you try again.
Word
Meaning
Integrated pest management (IPM)
A way of controlling pests that uses many methods and fewer chemicals
Pesticide
A chemical used to kill pests
Topsoil
The top layer of soil, where most plants grow
Drip irrigation
A system that gives water to plants slowly, drop by drop
Mulch
A layer of material, like straw, spread on the ground to keep it moist
Thrips
Tiny insects that damage crops
Codling moth
A moth whose larvae damage fruit such as pears and apples
Pheromone
A scent that animals use to communicate, such as to attract a mate
Organophosphates
A group of strong chemical pesticides
Entomologist
A scientist who studies insects
Benign
Gentle, not harmful
Livestock
Farm animals, such as cattle and sheep
Try using three or four of these words in your own sentences. It helps you remember them, and you’ll recognise their paraphrases faster in the test.
How to Approach New Agriculture in Oregon, US IELTS Reading Questions?
This passage has a lot of names, organisations and numbers, and it can feel crowded. The good news is that the questions point you to clear landmarks. Work out what each question wants, find the right paragraph, and then read that part carefully.
Here are a few simple ways to approach the new agriculture in Oregon IELTS reading answers:
1. Identify Keywords and Their Synonyms
Underline the main words in the question and think of other words with the same meaning. The passage will probably use those.
In the question
In the passage
financial help
tax breaks to offset the expenditure
regular habit
day after day
flawless fruit
perfect-looking fruit
better results than expected
results have gone beyond his expectations
lowers the amount of watering
less irrigation
So don’t search for the exact words. Search for the idea.
2. Match Researchers with Their Opinions
For matching features, first make a short list of the people and what each one is known for. For example: Brown speaks for farmers and talks about cost, Leahy asked for the report, Bowler speaks for the green groups, Jepson leads the IPPC, Pimms and Black are in Malheur, and Hilton works on pears.
Then read each statement and ask, “Who would say this?” Scan for names first, and then read the words around them. Be careful, because several people can talk about the same topic. Brown, Leahy and Bowler are all in Paragraph B, but each has a different view. And remember that a name can be the answer more than once.
3. Understand the Difference Between Yes, No, and Not Given
Yes/No/Not Given questions are about the writer’s views or claims. They are not about plain facts. If the passage supports the statement, it’s Yes. If it says the opposite, it’s No. If you can’t tell either way, it’s Not Given.
Take Question 10 and Question 13. In Question 10, the passage clearly says the government has not done enough, so it’s No. In Question 13, the passage never compares thrips with other pests, so it’s Not Given. Ask yourself, “Can I point to a sentence that supports or contradicts this?” If you can’t, it’s Not Given.
Watch for words like “all”, “only”, “no effect” and “more than any other”. They often change the answer.
4. Scan for Specific Details About Farming Methods
The passage describes several methods, and each belongs to a different place. Use them as landmarks:
Drip irrigation and “super-colossal” onions → Paragraphs F and G
Straw mulch, beetles and spiders → Paragraph H
Growth regulator and pheromone dispensers → Paragraph I
Tansy ragwort and insects → Paragraph A
Once you find the clue, read the whole sentence around it. A matching word on its own doesn’t always mean you’ve found the answer.
5. Check Your Answers Against the Passage
Before you move on, go back to the sentence that gave you the answer. Does it really say what you wrote?
When you finish, check each answer once more. Did you match the right person? Did you pick Yes when the passage only hinted at it? Small slips like these can lose you marks you had already earned. And spend about 20 minutes on one passage. If you get stuck, mark the question and come back.
Looking for more IELTS Reading practice? Read these answer guides to practise different passage topics and question types:
New Agriculture in Oregon, US shows how farmers and scientists can work together to cut water and chemical use without losing quality. The ideas are not hard, but the passage has many people and organisations, and it’s easy to mix them up. Names, places and numbers are your best landmarks.
When you check the new agriculture in Oregon reading answers, don’t only look at what you got wrong. Look at how you got there. Did you match the wrong person? Did you mix up No and Not Given? Spotting that is what improves your score. For more practice, try a few more New Agriculture in Oregon, US IELTS reading answers sets, and time yourself each time.
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Important IELTS Exam Resources
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What is the New Agriculture in Oregon US IELTS Reading passage about?
It’s about Oregon growers and OSU scientists testing new farming methods like integrated pest management. The passage also covers a government report that criticised how IPM is promoted, and experiments with onions and pears.
How can I use the New Agriculture in Oregon US reading answers for practice?
Do the whole set first, with a timer running. Then check your answers using the explanations and the answer location. Don’t look at the key halfway through. Use the answers to learn why each one fits.
What question types are in this practice set?
Matching Features and Yes/No/Not Given. The first needs you to link people to opinions, and the second needs you to judge the writer’s views. Read the instructions before you start each one.
Is this the official New Agriculture in Oregon US IELTS reading test?
No. The passage is a reworded practice version and the questions are new, so they won’t match a published paper. Use it to practise the same skills before you try the real one.
How long should I spend on New Agriculture in Oregon US IELTS reading test passage?
About 20 minutes. The full IELTS Reading test gives you 60 minutes for three passages and 40 questions, and there’s no extra time to copy answers over. A timer helps you build the right pace.
What’s the difference between No and Not Given?
No means the passage says the opposite of the statement. Not Given means it doesn’t say anything about the point. In Question 13, the passage never compares thrips with other pests, so it’s Not Given.
How do I match people with their opinions in this passage?
Scan for each name, then read the words around it. Make a short note of what each person is known for. Brown speaks about cost, Jepson about communication and research, and Hilton about consumers and pears.
Can the same person be the answer to more than one matching question?
Yes, if the instructions say so, and they do in this set. In our practice test, Paul Jepson answers both Question 3 and Question 8. Never rule out an option because you’ve already used it.
How do I find New Agriculture in Oregon US reading answers with location faster?
Use names, numbers and methods as landmarks, like Malheur, straw mulch, 40 million kilograms or two-thirds. Find the clue, then read the full sentence. A short label for each paragraph helps too.
What should I do after getting an answer wrong?
Go back to the passage and find the sentence behind the right answer. Ask why you missed it. Maybe you matched the wrong person, or picked Yes when it was Not Given. Write it down and watch for the same mistake next time.
Sunita Kadian, co-founder and Academic Head at Yuno Learning is an expert in IELTS and English communication. With a background in competitive exam preparation (IELTS, GMAT, CAT, TOEFL), interview pre...
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