Unlocking Word Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. grind (v.) [grahynd] – to pound or crush into powder
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. grind (v.) [grahynd] – to pound or crush into powder
Example: Coffee
beans need to be ground first before being used for drinks.
2. mount (v.) [mount] – to attach to something
Example:
The painting was mounted on a wall in the art museum.
3. brew (v.) [broo] – to prepare something by
boiling and mixing different ingredients together (in a liquid)
Example:
She made tea by brewing water with
rose petals and ginger.
4. aroma (n.) [uh-roh-muh] – a very pleasant smell,
usually coming from plants, spices, and wine
Example: The
sweet aroma of the flowers in the garden made its way into the house.
5. devoted (adj.) [dih-voh-tid] – having a loyalty to
something
Example: The
politician’s strength is that he has many devoted supporters.
Article
Read the text below.
A new kind of vending machine in Japan not only serves coffee—it grinds the beans the moment a drink is ordered and lets customers watch the entire drink-making process.
At the push of
a button, the “Coffee Grinding Viewing” vending machine makes a drink and
shows through a video screen how it’s made. A camera mounted inside the machine allows people to view coffee beans
being ground and then drip-brewed,
wherein hot water passes through the ground coffee and drips into a cup.
After that, the video shows milk and ice being added. The cup is then labeled
and sealed right before it comes out of the machine. All the while, an
instrumental version of the Coffee Rumba plays as customers wait.
With prices
ranging from 150 to 200 yen, the variety of drinks offered by the “Coffee
Grinding Viewing” vending machines includes drip coffee, Americano, mocha,
caffè latte, and cappuccino. The machines also serve matcha au lait and hot cocoa for non-caffeine
drinkers. Customers can also choose if they want their drinks hot, cold or
with sugar.
It does take
more than the usual time to buy coffee in these machines, but the reasonable
prices and the entertaining experience of watching the entire process are
worth the wait. Moreover, the coffee beverages look just like regular drinks
bought in cafes with the aroma and taste unique to freshly ground
coffee beans.
The vending
machines are now being used in several service stations in Japan and have
garnered quite a following of devoted customers. With the flavorful
drinks and entertainment quality, the machine’s popularity does not come as a
surprise.
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Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
● Do you think any product can be sold
by a vending machine? Why or why not? What products would you not buy from a
vending machine?
● Do you think vending machines
offer a better service than human vendors? Please explain your answer.
Discussion B
● Just like brewed coffee, do you
think things made slower and longer have better quality? Would you choose
quality over convenience?
● How do you think technology has
affected the way we choose and buy products?