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What do you see in this picture?

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What do you see in this picture?

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What do you see in these pictures?

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1. The words that appear most often in the article are bigger than the other words in the word cloud. Try to predict the content of the article by looking at the word cloud.

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Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?

Do you eat/buy organic food? If so, how often? What kind of organic foods do you eat/buy? If not, why not?

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Fill the gaps with the words from the article that have the same or similar meanings to the phrases and sentences below.

Nutritional - contradict - conventionally produced – agriculture - crops and livestock - toxic - welfare - compound – residues - selective - relevance - fertilizer and pesticide - proof - funded by

1. an adjective used to describe food that keeps you healthy ____________________

2. things to eat and drink that are grown and farmed in the usual way (not organically) ____________________

3. another way of saying that the money and costs were paid by... ____________________

4. plants and animals on a farm ____________________

5. a verb that means to say that the opposite of what someone has said is true ____________________

6. the quality of being directly connected with and important to something else ____________________.

7. chemical substances that are added to soil or sprayed on crops ____________________

8. the parts of something that remain after the rest has gone ____________________

9. When you accept or use only some things, and not the things that you do not want you are being ____________________.

10. information or evidence that shows that something is definitely true ____________________

11. the work, business, or study of farming ____________________

12. good living conditions and the well-being of animals ____________________

13. something that consists of two or more substances mixed together ____________________

14. another word for poisonous ____________________

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Fill the gaps with the words from the article that have the same or similar meanings to the phrases and sentences below.

Nutritional - contradict - conventionally produced – agriculture - crops and livestock - toxic - welfare - compound – residues - selective - relevance - fertilizer and pesticide - proof - funded by

1. an adjective used to describe food that keeps you healthy … nutritional

2. things to eat and drink that are grown and farmed in the usual way (not organically) … conventionally produced

3. another way of saying that the money and costs were 3. paid by... funded by

4. plants and animals on a farm … crops and livestock

5. a verb that means to say that the opposite of what someone has said is true … contradict

6. the quality of being directly connected with and important to something else … relevance.

7. chemical substances that are added to soil or sprayed on crops … fertilizer and pesticide

8. the parts of something that remain after the rest has gone … residues

9. When you accept or use only some things, and not the things that you do not want you are being … selective.

10. information or evidence that shows that something is definitely true … proof

11. the work, business, or study of farming … agriculture

12. good living conditions and the well-being of animals … welfare

13. something that consists of two or more substances mixed together … compound

14. another word for poisonous … toxic

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Read the text now.

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2. Find single words or two-, three- or four-word phrases in the article that have the same or similar meanings to the phrases and sentences below. The paragraph number and the number of words are given to help you.

1. positive effects on the body from ingested food _________________________ (para 1, 2 words)

2. things to eat and drink that are grown and farmed in the usual way (not organically) _________________________ (para 1, 3 words)

3. the money and costs were covered by ... _________________________ (para 1, 2 words)4. plants and animals on a farm _________________________ (para 2, 3 words)5. when the positive effects on the body from ingested food are better than those from other

sources _________________________ (para 2, 2 words)6. the remainders of chemical substances added to soil or sprayed on crops

_________________________ (para 5, 4 words)7. When you accept or use only some things, and not the things that you do not want you are

being _________________________. (para 5, 1 word)8. Amounts that have not been calculated accurately can be called

_________________________ (para 9, 2 words)9. when someone or something is tightly controlled or influenced by rules

_________________________ (para 11, 4 words)10. relating to good living conditions for livestock _________________________ (para 12, 2

words)11. worries about the natural world as well as places in which people live and work

_________________________ (para 12, 2 words)12. Something that you want to eat or drink because it is good for you is

_________________________.

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2. Find single words or two-, three- or four-word phrases in the article that have the same or similar meanings to the phrases and sentences below. The paragraph number and the number of words are given to help you.

1. positive effects on the body from ingested food … nutritional benefit (para 1, 2 words)2. things to eat and drink that are grown and farmed in the usual way (not organically) …

conventionally produced food (para 1, 3 words)3. the money and costs were covered by ... funded by (para 1, 2 words)4. plants and animals on a farm … crops and livestock (para 2, 3 words)5. when the positive effects on the body from ingested food are better than those from

other sources … nutritionally superior (para 2, 2 words)6. the remainders of chemical substances added to soil or sprayed on crops … fertilizer

and pesticide residues (para 5, 4 words)7. When you accept or use only some things, and not the things that you do not want you

are being …selective. (para 5, 1 word)8. Amounts that have not been calculated accurately can be called … ballpark figures

(para 9, 2 words)9. when someone or something is tightly controlled or influenced by rules … governed by

strict regulations (para 11, 4 words)10. relating to good living conditions for livestock … animal welfare (para 12, 2 words)11. worries about the natural world as well as places in which people live and work …

environmental concerns (para 12, 2 words)12. Something that you want to eat or drink because it is good for you is … nutritionally

desirable.

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BUILDING VOCABULARYWhat is the meaning of … ?1) Organic foods …

are made according to certain production standards. Organic farming strictly limits the use of artificial chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Antibiotics for animals are kept to an absolute minimum. Instead it emphasises farming methods such as crop rotation to keep the soil healthy and natural pest-control systems. Genetically modified crops are forbidden. Organic bodies also demand more space for animals and higher welfare standards.

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2) FSA stands for … and is ….The Food Standards Agency is the Independent UK government department that protects the public's health and consumer interests in relation to food

3) To provide is the same as …to supply or make available

4) Significant means …important

5) A benefit is the same as …an advantage

6) The adjective deriving from ‘benefit’ is …beneficial

7) ‘Compared to’ is the same as …in comparison with

8) Healthier is the comparative form of the adjective Healthy

9) According to is the same as …as stated or attested by

2) To call sth into question means … to cast doubt upon or to question sth

3) A campaigner is the same as …An activist, a militant

4) Crops are …plants that can be grown and harvested extensively for profit or subsistence

13) Livestock means …farm animals kept for use and profit

14) Found comes from the verb … and means …To find

15) The health benefits are …The positive effects on health

16) The findings are …the results of an investigation/research

17) Previous is the same as …Preceding

18) Led is the preterite of the verb …To lead

19) A review is the same as …A survey

20) To give evidence is the same as …to furnish proof

21) Unlikely is the same as …Improbable

22) Relevance is the same as …Pertinence

23) An academic is …A university teacher

24) Further is the comparative of …Far

25) The appendix is …supplementary material attached at the end of a written document

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Can you answer these questions about the topic?

• What is a pesticide?

• What does ‘genetically modified’ mean?

• What does ‘sustainability’ mean?

• What are ‘weeds’ ?

• What does ‘to harvest’ mean?

• What is a ‘residue’?

• A product that kills unwanted insects.

• A change at the level of the DNA.

• The ability to keep doing thing.

• Unwanted plants.

• To collect fruit or cereals when they are ready to eat.

• something that remains after most of a substance has gone or been removed

.

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3. Choose the correct answer according to the information in the article.

1. A new study concludes that ...a. ... we should not waste our money on organic food.b. ... organic food is not very much better for our health than non-organic food.c. ... organic food is significantly better for our health.

2. The study was carried out by ...a. ... Newcastle University.b. ... the Soil Association.c. ... the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

3. The study was funded by ...a. ... the Foods Standard Agency.b. ... the EU.c. ... the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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3. Choose the correct answer according to the information in the article.

1. A new study concludes that ...a. ... we should not waste our money on organic food.b. ... organic food is not very much better for our health than non-organic food.c. ... organic food is significantly better for our health.

2. The study was carried out by ...a. ... Newcastle University.b. ... the Soil Association.c. ... the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

3. The study was funded by ...a. ... the Food Standards Agency.b. ... the EU.c. ... the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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3. Choose the correct answer according to the information in the article.

4. Organic food campaigners are ...a. ... shocked.b. ... disappointed.c. ... selective.

5. The methodology used in the study has been criticized because ...a. ... it didn’t include the importance of some nutritional benefits found in organic food.b. ... it didn’t take animal welfare or environmental concerns into consideration.c. ... it didn’t take consumer preferences into consideration.

6. Another study funded by the EU found that ...a. ... there is no evidence of additional health benefits from eating organic food.b. ... antioxidants and vitamins were higher in organic crops.c. ... organic foods are not treated with artificial.

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3. Choose the correct answer according to the information in the article.

4. Organic food campaigners are ...a. ... shocked.b. ... disappointed.c. ... selective.

5. The methodology used in the study has been criticized because ...a. ... it didn’t include the importance of some nutritional benefits found in organic food.b. ... it didn’t take animal welfare or environmental concerns into consideration.c. ... it didn’t take consumer preferences into consideration.

6. Another study funded by the EU found that ...a. ... there is no evidence of additional health benefits from eating organic food.b. ... antioxidants and vitamins were higher in organic crops.c. ... organic foods are not treated with artificial.

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Find the right prepositions.

1. compared _____2. according _____3. funded _____4. to call sth _____ question 5. look _____ evidence 6. _____ the past 50 years7. the health benefits _____ eating

organic food 8. published _____ the American Journal

of Clinical Nutrition9. based _____ the hypothesis 10. beneficial _____ health 11. small differences _____ nutrient

content 12. residues _____ food 13. to express disappointment _____ the

“limited” nature of the study 14. to provide an answer _____ sth15. to be disappointed _____ the

conclusions 16. _____ May

16. the methodology used _____ the team 17. to lead _____ different conclusions 18. a professor _____ Newcastle University 19. nutrient levels are higher _____ organic

foods 20. I’m worried _____ the conclusions 21. similar _____22. to say positive things _____ organic

farming 23. such _____24. such differences are not reflected

_____ its conclusions 25. _____ the UK 26. to be governed _____ strict regulations 27. to set sth apart _____28. to treat crops _____ fertilizers 29. there is no evidence _____ health

benefits30. to mislead s.o. _____ the benefits of

organic food 31. _____ the basis that

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Find the right prepositions.

1. compared with2. according to3. funded by4. to call sth into question 5. look at evidence 6. over the past 50 years7. the health benefits of eating organic

food 8. published by the American Journal of

Clinical Nutrition9. based on the hypothesis 10. beneficial to health 11. small differences in nutrient content 12. residues in food 13. to express disappointment at the

“limited” nature of the study 14. to provide an answer on sth15. to be disappointed by the conclusions 16. in May

16. the methodology used by the team 17. to lead to different conclusions 18. a professor at Newcastle University 19. nutrient levels are higher in organic

foods 20. I’m worried about the conclusions 21. similar to22. to say positive things about organic

farming 23. such as24. such differences are not reflected in its

conclusions 25. in the UK 26. to be governed by strict regulations 27. to set sth apart from28. to treat crops with fertilizers 29. there is no evidence of health benefits30. to mislead s.o. over the benefits of

organic food 31. on the basis that

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Translate into English.1. Une nouvelle étude indique que l’alimentation biologique ne

présente aucun avantage significatif pour la santé.2. L’étude a été menée par la London School Hygiene and Tropical

Medicine.3. L’étude a été financée par la Food Standards Agency.4. Les militants en faveur de l’alimentation biologique regrettent ces

conclusions.5. L’étude a été critiquée à cause du fait qu’elle ne prenait pas en

compte l’importance de certains avantages nutritionnels qu’apporte l’alimentation biologique.

6. L’alimention biologique n’emploie aucun traitement à base d’engrais chimiques artificiels ou de pesticides.

7. L’étude ne dit pas que manger du bio est mauvais pour la santé.8. Une autre étude a constaté que l’alimentation biologique contient

davantage d’antioxydants et de vitamines que celle produite de manière conventionnelle.

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Translated sentences.1. A new study says that organic food is not significantly

better for our health.2. The study was carried out by the London School

Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.3. The study was funded by the Food Standards Agency.4. Organic food campaigners are unhappy with the

findings.5. The study was criticized because it didn’t include the

importance of some nutritional benefits found in organic food.

6. Organic food is not treated with artificial chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

7. The study does not say that people should not eat organic food.

8. Another study found that organic food contains more antioxidants and vitamins than conventionally produced food.

Make a summary of the text.

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Proposed summary

A new, independent study funded by the Food Standards Agency in the UK and conducted by Dr Dangour from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that organic food is not healthier than conventionally produced food.

According to a FSA representative, people may choose to eat organic because they care about animal welfare or environmental concerns but there is no evidence of additional health benefits from eating organic food.

However, certain experts and organic food campaigners have called the study into question because this contradicts previous work.

On the one hand, Dr Dangour pointed out that the small differences in nutrient content are unlikely to be of any public health relevance. On the other hand, organic food campaigners criticized the study because it did not take fertilizer and pesticide residues into consideration while a leading food academic, Carlo Leifert, found the conclusions of the study very selective.

Peter Melchett of the Soil Association criticized the methodology used by the team because they didn’t include the importance of some nutritional benefits.

The farming of organic food, a market worth £2bn in the UK alone, is strictly regulated.

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Organic[1] farm products leaflet[2]Read the following text taken from a supermarket leaflet.Organic Farm ProductsInformation for our customers[3]Saferose Farm Stores would like to give[4] its customers some detailed information[5] about the source of all our organic products.

[1] organic (adjective). DEF: 1 FARMING not using artificial chemicals when keeping animals or growing plants for foodUse that word in a sentence/phraseorganic farming/farmers, organic food/vegetables[2] leaflet (noun). DEF: a piece of folded paper or a small book which contains informationUse that word in a sentence/phraseI picked up a useful leaflet on how to fill in tax forms.[3] customer  (noun). DEF: a person or organization that buys goods or services from a shop or business[4] give [verb (past tense gave, past participle given)]. DEF: 1 PROVIDE [+ two objects] to provide someone with something Use that word in a sentence/phraseHer parents gave her a car for her birthday. / Do you give money to charity? / Could you give me a lift to the station, please?[5] Information (uncountable noun). DEF: facts about a situation, person, event, etc Use that word in a sentence/phrasea vital piece of information / Police are urging anyone with information about the crime to contact them

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Our Mission: All our food is grown[6] without the use of artificial chemicals, fertilisers and pesticides. No Genetically Modified materials are found[7] in any Saferose store.Our Organic Pledge[8]: In line[9] with current[10] European Union and UK legislation[11], we guarantee the following[12]:[6] grow [verb (past tense grew, past participle grown)]. DEF: 2 PLANT [I,T] If a plant grows, or you grow it, it develops from a seed to a full plant. Use that word in a sentence/phraseThese shrubs grow well in sandy soil.[7] be found. DEF: to exist or be present somewhere Use that word in a sentence/phraseVitamin C is found in oranges and other citrus fruit.[8] pledge. DEF: a serious promise Use that word in a sentence/phrase[+ to do sth] a pledge to create jobs / He made a solemn pledge to the American people.[9] be in line with sth. DEF: to be similar to and suitable for something Use that word in a sentence/phrase a pay increase in line with inflation[10] current (adjective). DEF: happening or existing now Use that word in a sentence/phrase What is your current address? / the current issue of Newsweek magazine[11] legislation  (uncountable). DEF: a law or a set of laws Use that word in a sentence/phrase Most people want tougher environmental legislation but large corporations continue to oppose it.[12] following (adjective). DEF: what comes next, often used to introduce a list, report, etc Use that word in a sentence/phrase The following is an extract from her diary: Today I stayed in bed all day.

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All fresh fruit and vegetables are produced from farms free of pesticides*.All fruit and vegetable pests[1], weeds[2] and fungi[3] are treated by biological not chemical means[4].None of our organic foods contain pesticide residues. These include bread, cereals, milk products, tea and coffee. This has been confirmed by the government’s own Pesticide Residue Committee.No meat, eggs or dairy[5] products come from animals that have been injected with growth hormones or antibiotics.

[1] pest is a noun. DEF: 1 ANIMAL an animal that causes damage to plants, food, etc Use that word in a sentence/phraseMost farmers think foxes are pests.[2] weed is a noun. DEF: a wild plant that you do not want to grow in your garden Use that word in a sentence/phraseDandelions are common weeds.[3] fungus  noun [C,U] plural fungi or funguses. DEF: a type of plant without leaves and without green colouring which gets its food from other living or decaying things Use that word in a sentence/phraseThis fungus attacks roses and causes black spots on their leaves.[4] means is a noun. DEF: 1 METHOD [C] plural means a way of doing something Use that word in a sentence/phraseWe had no means of communication. / It was a means of making money.[5] dairy is an adjective [always before noun]. DEF: relating to milk or products made using milk Use that word in a sentence/phrasedairy products / dairy cattle

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* Pesticides containing copper[1], sulphur, and soft soap may be used in conformity[2] with EU Law.How do we choose our agricultural suppliers[3]?Not only do we source[4] all products according to the strict guidelines[5] above[6], we also work with growers to ensure[7] best practice[8] at all stages[9] of food production:

[1] copper (noun). DEF: 1 METAL [U] a soft, red-brown metal, used in electrical equipment and to make coins, etc Use that word in a sentence/phrase copper wire[2] conformity (noun [U]). DEF: 2 conformity to/with sth FORMAL following rules or traditional ways of doing things[3] supplier ( noun [C]). DEF: someone who provides things that people want or need, often over a long period of time[4] source (verb). DEF: find supplier for[5] guidelines (noun [plural]). DEF: advice about how to do something Use that word in a sentence/phrase government guidelines on tobacco advertising[6] above (adjective / adverb). DEF: higher on the same page Use that word in a sentence/phrase the above diagram / the address shown above[7] ensure (verb [T]). DEF: FORMAL to make certain that something is done or happens Use that word in a sentence/phrase[+ (that)] Please ensure that all examination papers have your name at the top.[8] practice (noun). DEF: ACTIVITY [C,U] what people do or how they do it Use that word in a sentence/phrase business/working practices / [+ of + doing sth] the illegal practice of copying CDs / [+ to do sth] It is common practice to bury waste in landfills.[9] stage (noun). DEF: TIME [C] a period of development, or a particular time in a process Use that word in a sentence/phrase an early stage in his career / Our project is in its final stages. / I'm not prepared to comment at this stage.

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•where spraying is permitted, our farmers leave an unsprayed zone between fields and houses to stop pesticides spreading unnecessarily.•we work as far as possible[1] with local producers so that[2] our stores receive food near to where it is harvested. This reduces unnecessary transport costs, ensures freshness and encourages sustainability[3] of the local economy.•we insist that all suppliers are certified with the Soil Association or other government-approved bodies[4].•our food labels[5] clearly show our customers where a product has come from. [1] How would you translate ‘as far as possible’ into French?Dans la mesure du possible[2] so (that). DEF: in order to make something happen or be possible Use that word in a sentence/phrase He put his glasses on so that he could see the television better.[3] How would you translate ‘sustainability’ into French? La durabilité, la pérennité[4] body. DEF: 4 GROUP [group] an official group of people who work together Use that word in a sentence/phrase the sport's regulatory body[5] label (noun [C]). DEF: 1 INFORMATION a small piece of paper or other material which gives information about the thing it is fixed to

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The future:We are actively promoting the spread[3] of organic food and the switch to more environmentally-friendly[1] use of agricultural land and the oceans:our new ‘Food Miles’ scheme[2] will show the customer how far a product has travelled to reach your local Saferose farm store.we have just started the Organic Farmer’s Scholarship Programme which helps to train ten students every year who want to start a career in this growing area.we are currently investigating ways of monitoring and reducing the levels of heavy metals and PCBs in our fish and seafood products.Saferose Farm Stores - we care what you eat!

[1] environmentally-friendly means not damaging the environment environmentally-friendly washing powder Use that word in a sentence/phrase We only use products that are environmentally friendly.[2] scheme (noun). DEF: 1 OFFICIAL MAINLY UK an official plan or system Use that word in a sentence/phrase an insurance/savings scheme a training scheme for teenagers[6] spread (verb: past spread). DEF: spread sth across/over/through, etc to arrange something so that it covers a large areaUse that word in a sentence/phrase He spread the cards out on the table.

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LISTENING EXERCISEClassify the topics below in the order they are mentioned

• PRICE

• PESTICIDES

• DISEASES

• VEGETARIANISM

• HEALTH

• TASTE

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LISTENING EXERCISEClassify the topics below in the order they are mentioned

• VEGETARIANISM

• TASTE

• HEALTH

• PESTICIDES

• PRICE

• DISEASES

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TRANSCRIPTBrian: What’s that you’re eating, Sam, not a piece of steak, is it? I thought you were vegetarian!Sam: It is steak. But it’s organic. I was never vegetarian. I just like eating natural foodBrian: How can meat be organic?Sam: It means the animal isn’t full of strange hormones, or ate cereal that’s been genetically modified or sprayed with pesticides. That sort of thingBrian: And I suppose it’s had a good time walking around the fields, not shut inside all its life.Sam: That’s right.Brian: But can you taste the difference?Sam: I think so. And anyway, I‘m not filling myself with all sorts of chemicals that might give me cancer.Brian: Yes, but there’s no proof that pesticides give you cancer. The government would ban them. Look what happened with DDTSam: So why do the scientists who monitor these things prefer to eat organic food too?Brian: But if the public found out that some company was poisoning them, it’d be a national scandal!Sam: Yeah, but that’s just the point. Pesticides are only tested on animals. It’s not like new drugs, where companies have to spend millions on trials with human volunteers. Small quantities of chemicals do get into your food.

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Brian: Some food. Look, if the newspapers found a company was deliberately selling an unsafe product, their share price would crash and they’d be out of business in no time.Sam: They may go out of business soon if they don’t start selling organic food themselves. Have you seen what’s in the supermarkets these days? They say sales of organic food have risen by 25%.Brian: It’s still more expensive. You’ve got to compare the price, which is at least double, with the risk you’re running, which is absolutely minimal if you ask me. And how many people farm organically in this country, anyway? It’s not even 1%Sam: Well, it’s more like 20% in other parts of Europe. And the more people buy it, the more the price will come down. It’s better for the environment, anyway. We can’t keep playing around with our food without consequences, you know. Look at all the animal diseases we’ve had recently.Brian: True, there are always stories in the papers of salmonella in eggs, sheep suffering from foot and mouth disease, cows with BSE …Sam: Well, this is prime organic beef from the Scottish Highlands, and very good it is too. So if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish my lunch!

The dangers of pesticidesDecide if the following statements are true or false according to the listening

1. David works as an organic farmer.

2. Food labelled “organic” will probably not contain many toxic chemicals.

3. The Food Standards Agency agrees that organic food is better for our health.

4. David believes that pesticides manufacturers have a powerful lobby.

5. The EPA has only approved pesticides which are guaranteed not to be dangerous for our health.

6. Organic food will be cheaper when more people consume it.

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Match the adjectives with nouns to make collocations that are used in the radio interview.

high – toxic – powerful – thorough – negative – scientific – widespread

1. ____________________ chemicals

2. ____________________ investigation

3. ____________________ basis

4. ____________________ effect

5. ____________________ lobby

6. ____________________ use

7. ____________________ prices

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Use five collocations from the radio interview to fill in the gaps in this text.widespread use – toxic chemicals – powerful lobby – higher prices –

thorough investigation – negative effect – scientific basis

There is a [___________] campaigning to combat the [___________] of pesticides in the area. After a [___________] carried out by the Ministry of Health, it has become clear that the [___________] of continued pesticide abuse to flora and fauna is too high a price to pay. Campaigners have carried out a survey which, they claim, shows that consumers are prepared to pay [___________] for safer food. Perhaps it is time for the producers to change some policies.

Not used: 1. [___________]

2. [___________]

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Write a text.• Is organic food more nutritious, more humane, or more ethical? Or

is it just a cynical trick by producers and retailers to scare consumers into paying higher prices for food that is essentially no different?

• Make use of the phrases containing prepositions.

Useful links:• http://www.organicfoodinfo.net/ • http://www.organic.org/ • http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/farmingfood/organicfood/ • http://www.organicfoodee.com/ • http://www.orgfoodfed.com/• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_food • http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/organicfood.shtml