Unlocking Word
Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in
today’s article.
1. awareness
(n.) [uh-wair-nis] – having knowledge, understanding, or appreciation of something
Example: Health awareness should be emphasized
in schools.
2. merchandise
(n.) [mur-chuhn-dahyz] – items which are bought or sold in business
Example: Having good merchandise is one way
having a successful business.
3. tactic
(n.) [tak-tik] – a means of achieving a goal
Example: The police planned a tactic to capture
the culprit.
4. awful
(adj.) [aw-fuhl] – extremely unpleasant
Example: The restaurant immediately went
bankrupt because of its awful food.
5. commend
(v.) [kuh-mend] – to praise or to express approval
Example: The government commends the new
technology for reducing garbage in the community because of its cheapness and
practicality.
Article
Read the text below.
Vending machines offering nutritious food are
rapidly increasing in various schools in the US; however, their products
remain unpopular among students.
In schools like Commack High School in New York,
vending machines display apples and oranges in place of potato chips and
sodas. Commack administrators explain that this helps students apply what
they learn from their teachers and parents about healthy eating.
More schools across the US—such as in
Philadelphia and Arizona—are replacing unhealthy snacks with whole grains,
reduced-fat foods, fruits and vegetables.
This trend resulted from the increasing awareness on child obesity and the
growing number of laws in the US controlling food in schools.
Adapting to these changes, manufacturers of
vending machines have also started changing their items to healthy food. The
National Automatic Merchandising Association, which represents all players in
the industry, puts orange stickers on machines containing one of the foods
that meet nutritional standards.
To make the merchandise
more appealing to the students, manufacturers use tactics such as giving free samples or adding digital screens
that display nutritional contents of food.
Sadly, sales from these vending machines still
remain low. In Commack, the new vending machine generated less than 1/3 of
the sales of regular machines. Generally, students prefer regular snacks
because healthy food is readily available in their homes, free of charge. In
addition, some students think the items taste awful and are expensive.
Despite the disapproving school children, parents
and nutrition experts commended this
innovation because it allows children to have healthier options.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion
A
·
What
will be the advantages and disadvantages of implementing a junk food ban in
schools?
·
What
kinds of food are usually offered in schools in your country?
Discussion
B
·
Why
do you think people nowadays often buy from vending machines?
·
Which
do you prefer, food from vending machines or home-cooked food?
