【Unlocking Word Meanings】
今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. pledge / plɛdʒ / (v.) – to promise in a formal way
Example: Various organizations pledged to help people in areas hit by the typhoon.
2. welfare / ˈwɛlˌfɛər / (n.) – the well-being of someone or something
Example: She participates in programs that involve animal welfare.
3. uphold / ʌpˈhoʊld / (v.) – to continue or maintain
Example: Many Filipinos uphold the tradition of family gatherings on holidays.
4. humane / hyuˈmeɪn / (adj.) – showing good treatment toward someone or something
Example: The lawmaker pushed for more humane prisons in the country.
5. confinement / kənˈfaɪn mənt / (n.) – the act of keeping someone or something within certain limits
Example: Animal rights supporters complained about the company’s abusive confinement of cats and dogs.
【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Wendy's recently pledged to use only eggs laid by uncaged hens for its branches in the United States and Canada.
The American fast food restaurant announced last month that it will move to 100 percent cage-free eggs by 2020. The chain's decision came after some of its competitors announced their plans to change to cage-free systems.
The company, which has been involved in some animal welfare initiatives, uses eggs mainly for its breakfast items. Its initiative to chiefly use cage-free eggs urges more than 400 of its stores in North America to make adjustments.
Wendy’s Chief Communications Officer Liliana Esposito said that animal welfare is highly upheld by the world’s third-largest quick-service hamburger company. She also said that the company is proud of its decision to move to cage-free systems and that it intends to follow the best practices in the fields of animal handling and welfare.
Josh Balk, Senior Food Policy Director for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), expressed his appreciation for the company’s consistent commitment to creating a more humane fast food chain. Wendy’s latest announcement further exhibits its devotion to responsible treatment of farm animals, Balk said.
According to the HSUS, most of the egg-laying hens in the United States are cramped inside cages that are hardly the size of letter-sized paper. When consumers reacted negatively toward the cage confinement system, many companies started to switch to cage-free systems. Some other companies that also transitioned to the system are McDonalds, Subway, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Dunkin’ Donuts.
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【Viewpoint Discussion】
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Do you think cage-free systems should be implemented in all restaurants all over the world? Why or why not?
· What do you think could be the disadvantage of using only eggs laid by uncaged hens?
Discussion B
· What are the usual things people do that harm animals?
· How would you encourage other people to treat animals humanely? Explain your answer.
