Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.

Humane Treatment for the Animals We Eat

By Rudy Henler
1. In the 16th century, Sir Thomas More described an imaginary ideal society in his book
Utopia. His Utopians would allow only slaves to kill animals because they did not want free
citizens to experience the cruelty associated with killing living things. In modern
slaughterhouses, cattle have often been killed with a lot of unnecessary sufferings: animals
stressed by abject fear and pain.

2. Temple Grandin, a renowned animal behavioural scientist, is a leading authority on

improving conditions at processing plants, advising the United States government on the
federal Humane Slaughter Act (calling for painless killings), and writing guidelines for the
American Meat Institute. An example of her practical designs: slaughterhouse ramps where
cattle walk single file, able to see only three animals ahead, with the walkway turning in 180-
degree curves so the cattle cannot see anything unexpected that will make them balk. When
there are high walls, no shadows, no loud noises, no hitting, no slippages underfoot, the
animals proceed without fear, and industry efficiency improves. Although many animal
welfare advocates say we should avoid eating meat entirely, livestock animals serve a human
purpose, and Grandin believes humans should recognize their caretaking role toward these
animals.

3. Animal activists have also alerted people to the cruel conditions of the veal industry.
Deprived of their mothers at birth, male veal calves are put in tiny pens alone, chained at the
neck, unable to walk – all in order to keep their meat very tender. Raised on a liquid diet
deficient in iron and fibre, full of chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones, the calves are
literally dragged to the slaughter at about 4 months old. Such conditions are now banned in
Britain, and many consumers and chefs in the US resist buying or preparing veal raised in
this way.

4. There is also a growing switch from red meat to poultry. But chickens tightly confined in
battery cages in huge factory-like warehouses are also fed antibiotics and hormones.
Transportation and slaughter conditions are often appalling. Consequently, consumers have
become interested in stores like Whole Foods, up-scale hotel chains like Omni, cafeterias at
universities and companies like Google, as well as Burger King, and Ben and Jerry’s Ice
Cream, which all use only “cage-free” eggs and “organic” chickens. Despite the added cost,
this trend is growing, fed by consumer disgust with the treatment of animals and worries over
the industrialisation of the food supply.
A. Find the word from the passage that matches the meaning of the following word.
Paragraph 1- unpleasant
Paragraph 2- prominent
Paragraph 3- resist

Paragraph 4- delicate
Paragraph 5- lacking
Paragraph 6- imprisoned
Paragraph 7- shocking
Paragraph 8- hatred

B. Choose the most appropriate paragraph headings (a-e) for the paragraphs (No. 1-4) and
write the answers (a-e) in the answer box. One extra paragraph heading is given.

Paragraph No. Answer Box

1. List of Headings of Paragraphs

2.

3. a. The reasons of abstaining from eating red meat

4. b. The new trend in the treatment of animals

c. Slaughtering animals
d. The misery of the calves
e. Procedures for slaughtering animals
C. Read the passage and circle
the answer.

1. Why would More’s Utopians

allow only slaves but not free people to kill animals?
a. Killing animals is too dirty a job for free people.
b. Free people are less sympathetic to the suffering of the animals.

c. Slaves could kill animals with greater efficiency than free man.
d. Slaves are less sympathetic to the suffering of the animals.
2. What do Grandin’s practical designs indicate?
a. Many corporations approve of Grandin’s designs.
b. Grandin’s designs are not profit oriented.
c. No animals ever get hurt on Grandin’s equipment.

d. Animals are too delicate to treat.

3. What do the animal activists do?

a. Animal activists advertise for donations to help their cause.
b. Animal activists warn people before they attack the animals.
c. Animal activists hint that without campaigns in the press, people may not know what happens
on farms.
d. Animal activists help grow awareness among people about eating meat

4. What does “many consumers and chefs in the US resist buying or preparing veal raised
in this way” mean?
a. People have no way of expressing their opposition.
b. People are losing their taste for veal.
c. People have found alternative ways that do not require slaughtering animals.

d. People use their buying power to show their disapproval.

D. Answer the following questions.

1. According to Grandin, how can we perform our caretaking role toward the animals we eat?
2. Why are consumers becoming interested in the shops which serve “cage-free” eggs and
“organic” chickens?