WHEN KIM JI-UN lived in Seoul, she worried about finding a good job. Now, she is worried that drought may ruin her crop. The 23-year-old started a farm last year. Her first harvest was a success; she was surprised that her black beans did better than her strawberries.

Ms Kim is part of a phenomenon called kwichon, or returning to rural life. Created a millennium ago, kwichon appears during periods of economic hardship. This time, in the wake of the pandemic, many new farmers have never lived in the countryside before. By planting young farmers in rural areas, the government hopes to enjoy big rewards in future.

The plan is working. In 2021 nearly 380, 000 people moved to the countryside. Comfort with digital technology gives young farmers a leg up, says Cho Kyung-ik, the director of the Beginning Farmer’s Centre, an institution educating those who wish to kwichon at its downtown offices. They sell fresh produce on Naver, South Korea’s largest search engine.

The centre teaches techniques like how to use a tractor or select the best crops. It arranges a trial period during which ambitious farmers work under the guidance of an old hand, learning what it means to do back-breaking labour from dawn to dusk.

The most important lesson is how to get on with the locals. The villagers are also offered tips on how to act towards the newcomers. That part is not yet a total success. Ms Kim says her neighbors have a bad temper. “The old people come in here and give me unwanted advice, or say that I will never be able to grow anything,” she says. Her black beans beg to differ. She and the South Korean government will be hoping that her crops put the argument to rest for good.

【小题1】Why does the writer tell Ms Kim’s story?

A．To explain a solution.	B．To introduce a topic.
C．To start a discussion.	D．To make a comparison.

【小题2】What does the underlined “a leg up” in paragraph 3 mean?

A．A helping hand.	B．A new identity.
C．A big reward.	D．A different idea.

【小题3】What is the challenge for the young farmers?

A．Farming techniques.	B．Hard work.
C．Communicative skills.	D．Unwanted advice.

【小题4】What can we infer from kwichon in South Korea?

A．Farming makes huge profits.	B．Locals need technical training.
C．It helps to bring rural areas back to life.	D．Government should help farmers.