Third, the temperature in cities is often slightly warmer than in surrounding rural areas. This is called the "urban heat island effect." Buildings, roads, and other structures absorb heat during the day and release it slowly at night. The warmer temperatures allow bees to start foraging earlier in the spring and continue later into the autumn. This extra time means they can collect more food and produce more offspring.
Second, urban environments generally use fewer pesticides than farmland. Farmers often spray chemicals to protect their crops from insects. These chemicals can be deadly to bees. In cities, however, the use of such chemicals is more restricted, especially in public parks and community gardens. As a result, urban bees face fewer direct threats from pesticides. toefl junior reading comprehension practice test pdf
Scientists have discovered that cities are becoming important refuges for certain bee species that are declining in rural areas. For example, the common blue-banded bee, once rarely seen near farms, is now frequently spotted in city gardens in Australia. Similarly, in London, the number of bee species found in urban gardens is often higher than in nearby farmlands. Third, the temperature in cities is often slightly
Conservationists are now encouraging city dwellers to help by planting bee-friendly flowers like lavender, sunflowers, and marigolds on balconies and windowsills. Some cities have also started "bee highways"—corridors of flowering plants that connect green spaces across the city. These efforts not only help bees but also increase biodiversity and make cities more beautiful. This extra time means they can collect more
You can copy this content into a word processor, format it, and save it as a for practice. TOEFL Junior Reading Comprehension Practice Test Time: 25 minutes Number of questions: 20 Directions: Read the passage carefully. Then answer the questions based on the information given. Passage: The Hidden World of Urban Bees When you think of bees, you probably imagine green meadows, colorful wildflowers, and quiet countryside. However, an increasing number of bees are making their homes in some of the busiest cities in the world. From rooftop gardens in New York City to balconies in Tokyo, urban bees are thriving. But why would bees choose the city over the countryside? And how can they survive among skyscrapers, traffic, and millions of people?