IELTS Free Lesson 2: Reading — True, False or Not Given?

Urban beekeeping — the practice of keeping bees in cities and towns — has become increasingly popular in many countries over the past two decades. Supporters argue that city bees can actually be healthier than rural ones, because urban gardens and parks often contain a wider variety of flowering plants than modern farmland, which tends to focus on a small number of crops.

However, urban beekeeping is not without its critics. Some ecologists have raised concerns that large numbers of honeybees in cities may put pressure on wild bee populations, which rely on the same food sources. Wild bees, including bumblebees and solitary bee species, are considered more important for pollination than honeybees by many researchers.

In cities such as London and Paris, rooftop beehives have become a common sight. Paris is home to several hundred beehives on the rooftops of famous landmarks, including the Paris Opera House. The honey produced in Paris has been described by experts as particularly flavourful, due to the wide range of plants available to city bees.

Getting started with urban beekeeping requires training and equipment, and in many cities, beekeepers must register their hives with local authorities. The initial cost can be high, but many beekeepers say the rewards — both in honey and in the enjoyment of working with bees — make it worthwhile.