City Farming

Primary & ElementaryChallengingDiscursive Writing

Write a discursive essay exploring the concept of City Farming—growing food inside towns and cities rather than in the countryside.

In your writing, address the following:

  • The Benefits: What positive impacts could urban farming have on city communities and the environment?
  • The Challenges: What practical obstacles or limitations might prevent it from being successful?
  • Your Viewpoint: Weigh up these arguments and conclude whether city farming is a viable solution for our future or if the hurdles are too great.

Aim for a balanced, well-structured discussion that clearly presents both sides before reaching your final conclusion.

💡 Writing Tips

  • •

    Start by explaining what 'City Farming' means in your own words.

  • •

    Think of at least two good things (benefits) about growing food in cities.

  • •

    Think of at least two challenges or difficult parts (feasibility) of city farming.

  • •

    Use words like 'however', 'on the other hand', or 'also' to link your different ideas.

  • •

    Finish by saying what you think overall – is it a good idea or too tricky?

📝 Sample Answer

City farming, where people grow food right in the middle of towns and cities, is a really interesting idea. On one hand, it could be brilliant because it means fresh food is available super close to where people live, cutting down on journeys from farms and making food healthier. Imagine picking your own tomatoes from a community garden just around the corner! It could also make cities look much greener and more beautiful, and even help people learn new skills. However, it might be tricky to find enough space in busy cities, and we'd need to make sure there's enough sunlight and water for all the plants. Some people might also worry about pollution from cars affecting the food. So, while city farming has amazing potential, we need to think carefully about how to make it work in practice.

Did You Know?

You can use the atoply app to practise this prompt and get instant feedback to help improve your writing skills.

Practice This Prompt
City Farming | Discursive Writing Prompt | atoply