The following text discusses sustainable agriculture.
Permaculture design mimics natural ecosystems to create productive agricultural systems. Food forests, for example, layer trees, shrubs, and ground cover to maximize growing space while cycling nutrients naturally. Polyculture plantings reduce pest pressure by disrupting insect patterns. Critics argue these methods cannot scale to feed global populations, though proponents point to successful large-scale implementations.
Which choice best describes the overall structure of the text?
It defines an approach, provides examples, and presents a debate about its viability.
It argues definitively that permaculture is superior to conventional farming.
It traces the historical development of sustainable agriculture.
It provides instructions for establishing a food forest.
Correct Answer: A
Choice A is the best answer. The text defines permaculture, provides examples (food forests, polyculture), and presents the debate (scalability critics vs. proponents).
- Evidence: The text defines the concept: "mimics natural ecosystems." It gives examples: "Food forests," "Polyculture." It presents debate: "Critics argue... though proponents point to..."
- Reasoning: The structure covers Definition -> Illustration -> Evaluation.
- Conclusion: This matches "defines an approach, provides examples, and presents a debate."
💡 Strategy: Track the flow: What is it? -> What does it look like? -> Does it work?
Choice B is incorrect because the text is balanced, not argumentative. Choice C is incorrect because history isn't traced. Choice D is incorrect because no instructions are provided.