Urbanization and Its Challenges - TOEFL Reading Practice Test with Answers

In the TOEFL iBT^® exam, mastering the academic texts in English is very important for acing in the TOEFL Reading section. This segment mirrors the challenges of reading in English-speaking academic environments, assessing skills like identifying main ideas, extracting details, making inferences, and recognising text structure. Consistent practice is the key to excelling in this section. 

Our practice tests closely mimic the format and writing style of the actual exam, ensuring that you feel prepared and self-assured on  the test day. Therefore, join us in taking the TOEFL Practice Test centered on the passage 'Urbanization and Its Challenges' to familiarise yourself with the test format and note the areas for improvement!

Reading Instructions

• You have 15 minutes to read the following passage and answer all 9 questions related to it.  
• Most questions are worth 1 point, but the last question is worth more. The directions indicate how many points you will receive for that specific question. 
• The specific section/paragraphs have been provided again with the question for ease of understanding and quick solution.
• Some questions include a word or phrase that is highlighted in the question as well as in the paragraph for quick reference. 

Urbanization and Its Challenges 

In the past, numerous factors have contributed to urbanization, such as economic opportunity, industrialization, and technological advances. People from different rural areas migrate to cities due to the work opportunities offered by the emergence of industries as well as an improvement in communication and transportation facilities.

However, it could lead to many challenges such as the strain on infrastructure. As cities expand, there is a rising need for basic services like transportation, sanitation, and water supply. Due to the inability to meet this demand, many cities experience issues with pollution, poor waste management, and traffic jams.

Since more people are relocating into urban areas, there is a huge demand for housing, leading to an increase in property prices and rents. As a result, there is a growth of slums, or unofficial settlements, where living conditions are poor. Moreover, the expansion of urban areas may encroach on natural habitats, causing environmental harm and a decline in biodiversity.

As cities grow, they have the potential to draw people from a wider cultural and ethnic backgrounds. With this diversity, it can improve urban life, but can also lead to unrest and inequality. The divide between different social groups gets wider as a result of impoverished areas facing more difficulties and richer residents enjoying better facilities.

According to a study done by the UN, urbanization is a globally increasing trend.By the early 2020s, the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) estimates with more than 55% of the world's population will be living in urban regions, and by the year 2050, this percentage is expected to rise to almost 68%.

Targeted initiatives are being put into effect in order to provide affordable and adequate housing for all residents, including the ones who migrated from towns. Policies that support low-income households and promote the development of affordable housing should be placed into effect by governments and urban developers. This might involve putting in place regulations governing rent control to keep housing costs reasonable while offering tax credits or other financial incentives to developers in order to encourage them to build affordable homes. Repurposing vacant homes and restoring undeveloped areas may also help meet the demand for housing while enhancing local communities. Fair and inclusive housing policies are necessary to reduce social inequalities and stop unauthorized settlements from expanding quickly.

Directions: Once you have read the passage, answer the following questions.

Paragraph 1 

In the past, numerous factors have contributed to urbanization, such as economic opportunity, industrialization, and technological advances. People from different rural areas migrate to cities due to the work opportunities offered by the emergence of industries as well as an improvement in communication and transportation facilities.

1. According to Paragraph 1, which of the following factors is NOT mentioned as contributing to urbanization?
   1. Economic opportunity
   2. Industrialization
   3. Technological advances
   4. Climate change

Paragraph 2

However, it could lead to many challenges such as the strain on infrastructure. As cities expand, there is a rising need for basic services like transportation, sanitation, and water supply. Due to the inability to meet this demand, many cities experience issues with pollution, poor waste management, and traffic jams.

1. In Paragraph 2, what can be inferred about the impact of expanding cities on infrastructure?
   1. Expanding cities improve the efficiency of existing infrastructure.
   2. Expanding cities reduce the need for basic services like transportation and sanitation.
   3. The increasing demand for basic services in expanding cities can lead to problems such as pollution and traffic congestion.
   4. Expanding cities typically eliminate issues with waste management and water supply.

1. The word “strain” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to
   1. Relief
   2. Pressure
   3. Repair
   4. Organization

Paragraph 3

Since more people are relocating into urban areas, there is a huge demand for housing, leading to an increase in property prices and rents. As a result, there is a growth of slums, or unofficial settlements, where living conditions are poor. Moreover, the expansion of urban areas may encroach on natural habitats, causing environmental harm and a decline in biodiversity.

1. The word “encroach” in paragraph 3 is closest in meaning to
   1. Expand
   2. Protect
   3. Intrude
   4. Restore

Paragraph 4

As cities grow, they have the potential to draw people from a wider cultural and ethnic backgrounds. With this diversity, it can improve urban life, but can also lead to unrest and inequality. The divide between different social groups gets wider as a result of impoverished areas facing more difficulties and richer residents enjoying better facilities.

1. According to Paragraph 4, how might the increasing cultural and ethnic diversity in growing cities challenge social harmony?
   1. By ensuring equal access to high-quality facilities for all residents
   2. By creating opportunities for all social groups to benefit equally from urban growth
   3. By widening the divide between impoverished areas and wealthier residents, leading to potential unrest and inequality
   4. By reducing the number of social groups and fostering greater unity

1. The word “impoverished” in paragraph 4 is closest in meaning to : 
   1. Wealthy
   2. Poor
   3. Diverse
   4. Developed

Paragraphs 5

According to a study done by the UN, urbanization is a globally increasing trend.By the early 2020s, the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) estimates with more than 55% of the world's population will be living in urban regions, and by the year 2050, this percentage is expected to rise to almost 68%.

1. In paragraph 5, what is the primary focus of the study conducted by the UN's Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA)?
   1. Industrialization impacts on rural areas
   2. Global economic trends
   3. Urbanization trends and population distribution
   4. Climate change effects on urban development

1. According to Paragraph 5, what can be inferred about the future trend of urbanization?
   1. Urbanization is expected to decrease after 2050.
   2. The proportion of people living in urban areas is predicted to grow significantly.
   3. The UN anticipates that rural populations will grow faster than urban populations.
   4. Urban regions are expected to maintain a population of less than 55% through 2050.

Paragraph 6

Targeted initiatives are being put into effect in order to provide affordable and adequate housing for all residents, including the ones who migrated from towns. (A) Policies that support low-income households and promote the development of affordable housing should be placed into effect by governments and urban developers. (B) This might involve putting in place regulations governing rent control to keep housing costs reasonable while offering tax credits or other financial incentives to developers in order to encourage them to build affordable homes. (C) Repurposing vacant homes and restoring undeveloped areas may also help meet the demand for housing while enhancing local communities. (D) Fair and inclusive housing policies are necessary to reduce social inequalities and stop unauthorized settlements from expanding quickly.

1. Directions: Review the excerpt from the passage provided above. The letters (A), (B), (C), and (D) denote where the subsequent sentence could be incorporated.
   
   Implementing zoning laws that promote mixed-use development can also be beneficial.
   
   Where would the sentence most appropriately belong?
   1. Choice A
   2. Choice B
   3. Choice C
   4. Choice D

Hold on!  Before checking your answers and matching them, explore the TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus!

Answer Key with Explanation for TOEFL Reading Passage - Urbanization and Its Challenges

1.  Answer: D

Explanation:  The correct answer is option D. According to paragraph 1, it highlights the list where cities industrialization, economic opportunity, and technological advancements are mentioned as causes of urbanization. However, it doesn’t mention anything about climate change as one of the contributing elements.

2. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is option C. In Paragraph 2, it discusses and explains how the growth of cities increases the need for fundamental services, and that, if left, it leads to problems like traffic congestion, pollution, and inadequate waste management. This implies that these issues can in fact result from cities growing, making the option C as the correct answer.

3. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The meaning of the word, in context to the information given in the paragraph, refers to the pressure or burden placed on infrastructure as cities expand. It does not mean relief, repair, or organization.

4. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is option C. In Paragraph 3, the word means to intrude upon or gradually invade natural habitats, causing environmental harm. It does not resonate with the other options provided with the question. Therefore, the answer is option C.

5. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is option C. Paragraph 4 suggests that with an increasing diversity, there could be a possibility where it can lead to greater social division and inequality, especially as the divide between poorer and wealthier areas widens.

6. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The word refers to a state of being very poor or lacking in financial resources, which is used to describe areas that are facing more difficulties due to economic disadvantages. 

7. Answer: C

Explanation: The correct answer is option C. In Paragraph 5, it  focuses on the study's findings which are related to the increasing trend of urbanization and the population distribution between urban and rural areas. Therefore, the option C is the closest answer.

8. Answer: B

Explanation: The correct answer is option B. The information given in the paragraph indicates that the proportion of the global population living in urban areas is expected to increase from 55% in the early 2020s to nearly 68% by 2050, implying a significant growth trend.

9. Answer: A

Explanation: The correct answer is option A. This is an Insert Text question where you are required to select the appropriate place to insert the provided sentence within the passage. The sentence about implementing zoning laws fits best in Choice A, where it complements the discussion about policies supporting low-income households and the development of affordable housing. Zoning laws can be part of broader housing policies aimed at managing urban growth and enhancing community development.

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