Is the number of overweight people in your country rising? Why?
Is the government of your country doing anything to improve the health of its people? What?
Governments in advanced countries try to control things that most people think are bad, for example cigarettes and tobacco. They believe that these things cost a country a lot and so there should be taxes to control them. However, if we follow this thinking then the government should regulate fast food, because obesity and other diet-related health problems affect a wide range of government concerns, from the cost of Medicare/Medicaid (U.S. health insurance), to military physical fitness requirements.
Obesity in the United States is an epidemic. This phrase, like ‘global warming’ has been a household term for so long, but nothing has really changed. So some say it is a travesty that a country with America’s wealth and our level of scientific advancement is actually experiencing declining life expectancy, en masse. Obesity and diet-related health problems add to the cost of health insurance and, consequently, to Medicare/Medicaid expenses. Obesity is also a threat to national security: a recent study showed that, as of 2005, almost 30% of males aged 17-24 were too fat for military service. A group of over 130 retired generals, admirals, and senior officers has implored the government to intervene, especially in schools. The government should intervene, as it has in the past, to regulate food safety and controlled substances.
Guessing meaning from context
Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. The answers are below the table.
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Like a sickness that is spreading like a virus to many people |
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Agree with the logic of someone/something, agree with |
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In large numbers, a large group all doing something at the same time |
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Come between to stop something happening |
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Government control by using laws |
A=2, B=8, C=7, D=1, E=4, F=6, G=5, H-6
Some example sentences using the new words to help you to better understand their meaning.
1. People who always agree with others always follow the thinking of everyone else.
2. Olympic Games regulations mean that every athlete must be drugs tested.
3. Many young people eat a lot of fast food and have become obese.
4. I think that hard study in Korea has become an epidemic, every young person seems to study hard.
5. I think it is a travesty if lazy students get an A+ grade just because they are good at something.
6. Shoppers went en-masse to the department store’s 70% price discount sale.
7. My mother implored me to not buy cheap shoes because they would hurt my feet.
8. I hope that the U.N. can intervene in Syria to stop the violence.
Some discussion questions using the new words to help you better understand the word meaning and how to use them correctly. Try to use the words in your answer.
1. Do you follow the thinking that we should tax fast food? Why or why not?
2. Do you agree that obesity is becoming an epidemic? Do you think then that we should regulate it? How could we do that?
3. Why do some people in the story feel that obesity is a travesty?
4. What is something that is happening en-masse in your country? Are you worried about it?
5. Do you think that the government of your country should intervene and regulate fast food?
ECK Education
