Professional Documents
Culture Documents
72 Sugar-Industry US
72 Sugar-Industry US
2. D
o you consume sugary drinks
even when you aren’t thirsty?
4. W
hich treats do you prefer,
salty or sweet? Name your
favorite unhealthy snacks.
“Sugar is the
new tobacco.”
—Professor Simon Capewell
B. Vocabulary Preview
Match the words on the left with the correct meanings on the right.
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The Sugar Industry
Discussion Starters
Reading Comprehension
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY Discuss these questions
Is it time to wean ourselves off sugar? in pairs, and write the
answers in your notebook.
1. Do you have a sweet tooth? Most people do, though some people
seem to be born with a stronger preference for sugar than others. 1. hat industry is compared
W
Regardless of whether or not our preference for sugar is innate, to the sugar industry in this
most health professionals agree that our sugar intake needs to reading, and why?
be regulated. First and foremost, sugary food and beverages
2. W
hat does the reading say
should be considered a treat, not a staple.
about candy companies?
2. ho is to blame for our sugar cravings? Many people point their
W
3. A
ccording to this reading,
fingers at the sugar industry. Some say that sugar is the new tobacco.
how do parents contribute
Like the tobacco industry, the sugar industry has been accused of
to childhood obesity?
using tactics to reduce consumers’ health concerns. In the UK, the
US, and Australia, the sugar industry has blocked changes to dietary 4. W
hat do some governments
guidelines that would limit sugar consumption. Likewise, beverage want to do in order to reduce
and candy companies have funded research efforts to convince diabetes and obesity in their
consumers that sugar does not pose a health hazard. nation’s population?
3. W
hile most consumers are unaware of these behind-the-scenes 5. W
hat could be another
tactics, most adults know that excess sugar can cause tooth decay, subtitle for this reading?
diabetes, and obesity, just as they know the dangers of tobacco.
Children, on the other hand, only know what tastes good! Should
we be pointing our finger at parents? Some parents, and even
teachers, reward children with sugary treats. What about
advertisers? Should companies be allowed to market
sugary products to kids?
4. T
he governments in some countries are calling for a sugar tax
on sweetened beverages. Is this a step in the right direction?
While a tax can’t prevent diabetes and obesity, it might remind
buyers that there is no dietary need for soda pop. Do we need
a reminder? Many consumers feel that it’s up to the individual
to monitor consumption. Would you cut back on sugar if you
had to pay more for sugary products? Is giving up sugar as
tough as giving up cigarettes?
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 2
The Sugar Industry
Discussion Starters
Vocabulary Review
A. Chunking
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1. )
a feel like 2. a
) too much 3. a
) regulate 4. a
) strategy 5. a
) obesity 6. a
) natural
b) crave b) extreme b) eat b) innate b) wean off b) unlearned
c) disguise c) excess c) drink c) plan c) reduce c) innate
d) desire d) candy d) consume d) tactic d) cut back d) staple
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 3
The Sugar Industry
Discussion Starters
1. o you have a sweet tooth? Most people do, though some people
D
seem to be born with a stronger preference for sugar than others.
Regardless of our preference for sugar is innate,
most health professionals agree that our sugar intake needs to
be regulated. First and foremost, sugary food and beverages
should be considered a treat, not a staple.
3. While
most consumers are unaware of these
tactics, most adults know that excess sugar can cause tooth decay,
diabetes, and obesity, just as they know the dangers of tobacco.
Children, on the other hand, only know what tastes good! Should
we be pointing our finger at parents? Some parents, and even
teachers, reward children with sugary treats. What about
? Should companies be allowed to market
sugary products to kids?
4. The
governments in some countries are calling for a sugar tax
on sweetened beverages. Is this a step in the right direction?
While a tax can’t prevent diabetes and ,
it might remind buyers that there is no dietary need for soda
pop. Do we need a reminder? Many consumers feel that it’s
up to the individual to monitor consumption. Would you
4. obesity, cut back, giving up
sugar if you had to pay more for
3. behind-the-scenes, advertisers
sugary products? Is giving up sugar as tough as
2. to blame, guidelines
cigarettes?
1. whether or not
ANSWERS:
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 4
The Sugar Industry
Discussion Starters
Answer Key
LESSON DESCRIPTION: TEACHING TIPS: LEVEL: Intermediate–Advanced
The lesson includes vocabulary review See Discussion Starters Teaching Guide TIME: 1.5–2 hours
exercises, comprehension questions, (https://esllibrary.com/courses/72/lessons/)
TAGS: discussion, consumerism,
and discussion questions. for a variety of ways to use the reading.
children, dental, business,
Audio is available for this lesson. Students can
industry, sugar industry, health
access the audio via our podcast and iTunes.
Pre-Reading Comprehension
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The Sugar Industry
Discussion Starters
Individual answers for sentences. Make it a challenge for your students to find this word in the
lesson and see if they know the alternate spelling.
1. sugar craving 4. tooth decay
2. childhood obesity 5. cut back on OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
3. behind the scenes 6. health professional
1. Teach the following “sugar” expressions:
B. ODD ONE OUT sweet tooth, sugar fix, sugar rush, sugar craving,
sugarcoat, sugar-free, short and sweet.
1. d 2. d 3. a 4. b 5. a 6. d
2. Have students design warning ads for candy or sweetened
Challenge your learners to create their own “Odd One Out”
beverages. Search online for images of tobacco warnings for
exercise using the odd words. Have them challenge a classmate.
inspiration. Discuss whether or not doing this activity caused
(They should mix up the order to make it more challenging.)
your students to decide to reduce their sugar intake.
Individual answers.
Copyright 2015, Red River Press Inc. For use by members of ESL Library in accordance with membership terms. 6