Question

Read the following text.

(1)	Reduction in green areas has caused various environmental problems. People squeezed between concrete structures are looking for various ways to meet their longing for green. One of the ways to do so, is vertical gardens and green walls. Vertical gardening is a unique method of gardening where plants are grown in a vertical position or upward, rather than in the traditional method of planting them on the ground.
(2)	The purpose of vertical gardens and green walls, which arises from the studies of different disciplines (landscape architects, architects, engineers, etc.), is to close the cold image of concrete and increase the visual value. In these systems, nature and structures are integrated, and thus, urban areas and the desired environment have become intertwined.
(3)	Vertical garden case studies often show that, though functionality should be in the foreground when vertical gardens are planned, they are generally made as aesthetic elements in the city's underpasses and city squares and decorative elements in residences without seeking functionality.
(4)	Experts support that the visual quality and evaluation of landscape architecture are determined based on the satisfaction of the users. Hence, a survey questionnaire was prepared for residents of varied age groups from of a metropolitan city. The given Table 1, displays these responses:
	Table 1 - Total number of participants : 400 No. Survey statements Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree Vertical gardens - 1 improve quality of life of people in urban areas 191 138 43 9 19 2 reduce noise pollution 128 164 77 25 6 3 increase air quality -indoors and outdoors 172 147 51 28 2 4 reduce energy and water consumption 58 47 125 68 2 5 positively impact global warming 114 144 106 30 6 6 have a relaxing and calming effect 161 177 44 7 11 7 cost too much 86 107 152 42 13 8 make plants look beautiful 195 139 44 6 16 9 add naturalness to the environs 135 173 55 25 12 10 are among the determining factor to visiting a place 59 133 141 54 13 11 are inconvenient indoors 9 84 123 126 48 12 can be applied in every place 71 132 97 77 23 13 have a functional feature 81 207 100 10 2 14 distract drivers 34 101 106 131 28 15 funds are best used for social issues 57 72 100 130 41
(5)	The study acknowledged that vertical gardening has the potential to transform urban spaces into green, sustainable areas, and further research should explore the impact of vertical gardening on the environment and human well-being.

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above.

i. Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of paragraphs 1 & 2.   (1)

We can say that the situation of people living in concrete structures is comparable with a fish living in a fishbowl, and the need for vertical gardens to the need for decorations in the fishbowl because ______.

ii. Fill the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your understanding of paragraph 2.   (1)

The statement that urban spaces have become more closely connected with the desired natural surroundings through the incorporation of nature and structures in vertical gardens and green walls is a _______ (fact/ opinion) because it is a _______ (subjective judgement/ objective detail).

iii. Justify the following, in about 40 words.   (2)

While the survey results suggest that vertical gardens may be effective in improving the quality of life in urban areas, further research and evaluation may be necessary to fully understand their effectiveness and potential drawbacks.

iv. Based on the survey results, which two concerns should a city government, looking to install vertical gardens, address?   (1)

v. In Table 1, statement 3, "Vertical gardens increase air quality - indoors and outdoors," received the most neutral responses from participants, with 51 respondents indicating a neutral stance. State any one inference that can be drawn from this.   (1)

vi. Select the option that correctly displays what ‘intertwined’ signifies. (Reference-Paragraph 2)   (1)

(i)	(ii)	(iii)	(iv)	(v)

1. (i), (iv) and (v)
2. Only (ii)
3. Only (iii)
4. (ii) and (v)

vii. Infer one benefit and one drawback of vertical gardening in comparison to other solutions, such as community gardens or parks. (Answer in about 40 words)      (2)

viii. Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage?     (1)

1. Vertical gardening has minimal impact on the environment or human well-being.
2. Vertical gardening is a sustainable practice that can transform urban spaces into green areas.
3. The impact of vertical gardening on the environment and human well-being has already been thoroughly explored.
4. The study needs to include experts from horticultural firms to offer any recommendations for further research.

Answer 1

i. We can say that the situation of people living in concrete structures is comparable with a fish living in a fishbowl, and the need for vertical gardens to the need for decorations in the fishbowl because a fish needs decorations such as plants or rocks, to simulate a natural environment and improve its quality of life, people living in urban areas need green spaces such as vertical gardens to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.

ii. The statement that, urban spaces have become more closely connected with the desired natural surroundings through the incorporation of nature and structures in vertical gardens and green walls is a opinion because it is a subjective judgement.

iii. It is True because most participants strongly agreed or agreed that vertical gardens can improve the quality of life, increase air quality, and have a relaxing and calming effect. However, the survey does not provide information on the long-term effectiveness of vertical gardens or their potential impact on other aspects of urban life, such as traffic or community engagement.

iv. A city government looking to install vertical gardens should consider addressing these concerns:

• Cost of installation and maintenance
• Areas of installation should be where driver distraction is less of an issue.

v. 

1. Participants may not be fully informed or aware of the effects of vertical gardens on air quality, which could contribute to a neutral response.
2. The perceived effect of vertical gardens on air quality may vary based on the specific location or environment in which they are installed.
3. It is possible that participants did not have a strong opinion or preference regarding the effect of vertical gardens on air quality, which resulted in a neutral response.

vi. Only (ii)

vii. Advantages of vertical gardens over other green spaces -

• They can be installed in small spaces, making them ideal for urban areas with limited space.
• They also offer aesthetic and design benefits, as they can be customized to fit specific architectural styles or preferences.

Disadvantages of vertical gardens over other green spaces -

• May not provide as much space for outdoor recreation as community gardens or parks do.
• The cost of installation and maintenance may be higher than for other types of green spaces.

viii. Vertical gardening is a sustainable practice that can transform urban spaces into green areas.