IELTS Reading Practice 2

How Green Roofs Are Changing Cities

A In many large cities, rooftops were once treated as empty spaces with little value beyond protecting buildings from rain and sunlight. Today, however, some architects and city planners see them differently. Green roofs, which are partly or completely covered with plants, are becoming more common in urban areas. They can appear on office blocks, apartment buildings, schools and even bus stops. Although the idea is not new, it has gained attention as cities search for practical ways to respond to heat, flooding and air pollution.

B One of the main advantages of green roofs is their ability to reduce urban heat. Traditional roofs often absorb sunlight and release heat back into the surrounding air. This can make city centres significantly warmer than nearby rural areas, a problem known as the urban heat island effect. Plants, soil and moisture can help lower surface temperatures. In summer, this may reduce the need for air conditioning inside buildings, which can also lower energy use.

C Green roofs can also help with rainwater management. In cities with large areas of concrete and asphalt, heavy rain often runs quickly into drains, increasing the risk of flooding. A planted roof can absorb part of the rainfall and release it more slowly. This does not solve flooding on its own, but it can reduce pressure on drainage systems, especially when many buildings in the same area use similar methods.

D Another benefit is biodiversity. Even small roof gardens can provide habitats for insects and birds, especially in areas where natural green spaces are limited. Some projects use local plant species to attract pollinators, while others create small urban gardens for residents. These spaces may improve not only the environment but also the quality of life for people living in dense neighbourhoods.

E Despite these advantages, green roofs are not suitable for every building. They can be expensive to install, and older buildings may need structural checks before extra weight is added. Maintenance is another important factor. Plants need water, drainage must be managed and damaged layers can cause leaks if they are not repaired. For this reason, experts argue that green roofs should be planned carefully rather than added as decoration.

F The future of green roofs will probably depend on a mixture of public policy, building design and local climate. Some cities already offer financial support or planning incentives for green roof projects. Others include them in wider climate adaptation plans. While green roofs are not a complete answer to urban environmental problems, they show how unused spaces can become part of a more resilient city.

If the matching headings were difficult, practise identifying the main idea of each paragraph before reading the answers. If True / False / Not Given was difficult, underline the exact sentence that proves your answer. If vocabulary was difficult, collect words in short phrases, not as isolated translations.