centers to surrounding rural environs. “It’s small scale agriculture with an urban focus,” Niebler says. “Any
urban population, large or small, can practice sustainable agriculture, improve food security and protect the
environment, which ultimately results in resilient food systems and communities.”
SAgE is a part of the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program,
which is providing the project with $157,375 over two years. ATE’s goal is to support projects that strengthen
the skills of technicians who work in industries regarded as vital to the nation’s prosperity and security. The
support largely goes to community colleges that work in partnership with universities, secondary schools,
businesses and industries, as well as government agencies, which design and implement model workforce
initiatives.
The SAgE project focuses on the environmental, socioeconomic, political and cultural issues related to
sustainable food systems within Puget Sound watersheds through student and community education and
research, and technological innovation. The curriculum offers courses that cover such issues as agricultural
ecology, urban food systems, food politics and ethics, soil science, sustainable food production and
technology, the integration of food and forests, and career opportunities.
“We’ve created a curriculum that is fundamental in nature, addressing the principles of sustainable
agriculture and what a food system is – how it functions both locally and globally,” Niebler says. “These
courses are challenging, robust and inspirational. One of the really wonderful things about them is that we
offer service learning opportunities, where students volunteer a portion of their time to working with local
partner organizations. They can do a research project, or a service learning option. The ideal would be to
prompt students into careers that involve sustainable practices in an urban agriculture setting.”
Adapted from “
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
” by Marlene Cimons
Question 55: It is stated in the passage that Jason Niebler ______.
A. preserves the core urban landscape B. provides food for Seattle’s population
C. studies at Seattle Central Community College D. directs the SAgE Initiative
Question 56: It can be inferred from the passage that the conventional idea of urban agriculture ______.
A. focuses mainly on agriculture within and beyond the Puget Sound region
B. aims at food production and consumption in both rural and urban regions
C. is associated with production only in metropolitan urban areas
D. concerns with food production in any city’s surrounding areas
Question 57: The word “concentric” in paragraph 2 is closest in meaning to ______.
A. coming from different places B. having the same size
C. going in different directions D. having the same center
Question 58: Which of the following is supposed to be an outcome of the SAgE’s new land use planning?
A. Dependence on distant food products
B. Increased food production in large scale farms
C. Employment opportunities for local residents
D. Modernized farming practices in rural environs
Question 59: The phrase “in partnership with” in paragraph 4 probably means ______.
A. together with B. in addition to C. in place of D. instead of
Question 60: The curriculum of SAgE at Seattle Central Community College offers courses covering the
following EXCEPT ______.
A. agricultural ecology B. career opportunities
C. urban system development D. integration of food and forests
Question 61: In Niebler’s opinion, the courses offered by the SAgE project are ______.
A. functional but impractical B. robust but unpromising
C. challenging and costly D. hard but encouraging
Question 62: The word “them” in paragraph 6 refers to ______.
A. courses B. opportunities C. principles D. students
Question 63: Which of the following is NOT true according to the passage?
A. The curriculum that the SAgE project designs is fundamental in nature.
B. The SAgE project alone will offer students sufficient jobs in urban agriculture.
C. ATE helps to improve the skills of technicians in the nation’s major industries.
D. Resilient food systems can be attributed to sustainable agricultural practices.
Question 64: Which of the following best describes the author’s tone in the passage?
A. Skeptical B. Provocative C. Supportive D. Satirical
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