Traditional Farming System in Africa Reading Answers: IELTS Reading Practice Test

List of Headings

i. The Chitemene system involves the distinction of men and women

ii. Criticism on Chitemene system

iii. What are the vegetables planted in Luapula

iv. How farmers are survive in Africa

v.  Chitemene system

vi. Distribution of Land in Luapula

Paragraph A

Paragraph B

Paragraph C

Paragraph D

Traditional Farming System in Africa  Reading Answers with Explanations  (1-4)

Type of Question: Heading Matching 

These types of questions involve choosing the right heading based on the given paragraph. 

How to best answer: 

• Read the Headings First: Before reading the passage, review all the headings to get a sense of the main ideas.
• Skim the Passage: Quickly skim through the passage to understand the overall structure and main points.
• Match Main Ideas: Focus on matching the main ideas of each paragraph with the corresponding heading rather than getting stuck on specific details.
• Look for Keywords: Identify and highlight keywords in the headings and match them with similar words or phrases in the passage.
• Eliminate Incorrect Options: If a heading doesn’t fit a paragraph, eliminate it to narrow down your choices, making it easier to find the correct match.

Reference: From Paragraph B, "Land in Luapula is traditionally not held by individuals, but rather is distributed by the village headman or head woman according to need, as it is in many other parts of Africa."
 

Explanation: This line explains the traditional system of land distribution in Luapula, where land is allocated by village leaders based on need rather than individual ownership. This highlights the communal approach to land management in the region, fitting heading vi which pertains to land ownership and distribution systems.

Reference: From Paragraph A, "In Luapula, like in the Bemba region to the east, most traditional agriculture is based on chitemene, a system in which crops are cultivated on the ashes of tree limbs."
 

Explanation: This line describes the chitemene agricultural system practiced in Luapula, where crops are grown on the ashes of burned tree limbs. This method is central to the traditional farming practices in the area, aligning with heading v that focuses on agricultural techniques and systems.

Reference: From Paragraph D, "The region is planted to variously mixed combinations of annuals such as maize, pumpkins (Telfiria occidentalis) and other cucurbits, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, Phaseolus beans, and various leafy vegetables during the second season, and maybe for a few seasons more."
 

Explanation: This line details the variety of crops planted in Luapula, including maize, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, and beans. The passage describes how different crops are grown in successive seasons, illustrating the diversity and rotation in planting. This matches heading iii, which concerns the variety and sequence of crops planted.

Reference: From Paragraph C, "The practise of chitemene, according to Richards (1969), involves a clear division of labour between men and women."
 

Explanation: This line discusses the gender-based division of labour in the chitemene system, where men handle the physically demanding tasks of felling branches, and women assist in stacking them. This division of roles is a significant aspect of the traditional agricultural practice, fitting heading i, which addresses labour roles and responsibilities within the system.

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