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1. Why did FOX Television kill the milk story?2. Given that advertising dollars pay for television networks, how much influence do

you think corporations have on the news that is broadcast? Is this an advantage or a disadvantage for the average citizen? Why?

3. What is your opinion about news censorship?4. Do you worry about growth hormones in milk or meat? Why or why not?5. What other concerns do you have about foods available in local supermarkets?6. Why do large corporations like Monsanto sell products that could pose health risks?7. What is the difference between the way Monsanto presented the safety of their

product and the information presented by the reporters? Which version of the story do you believe? Why?

8. What are the dangers in having large corporations control the agricultural industry?

1. Problem with milk

2. The way Monsanto got FDA approval

3. Human testing

4. Canada’s response

5. TV ad: milk linked to disease

6. Monsanto’s second faxed response

7. TV station’s response

Academic Discussion

Feature Film Activity: Watch Supersize MeHow does this film relate to the reading passage “Fast-food Addiction”?

Reading Test: Agriculture

Pre-reading Video: Fox Kills Bovine growth Hormone Story Pre-viewing Discussion: Activating Background Knowledge1. How could you get a cow to produce more milk?2. Do you think this beneficial result could have any negative consequences?

First Viewing Discussion1. What problem did the news anchors have?2. If you were in their position, what would you do?

2R9 Second ViewingWatch the video again, and complete the chart. Paraphrase the video content with a partner.

DVD

DVD

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The Hazards of industrial AgricultureInteractive PowerPoint Presentation: Reading and Vocabulary Preview

1. Listen to your instructor give a PowerPoint presentation on the reading and explain Academic Word List and low-frequency vocabulary. Take notes on the PowerPoint slides below.

2. Discuss the question at the bottom of each slide with a partner.3. After the presentation, read the passage and answer the questions in 20 minutes.

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Speed ReadingRead in thought groups or phrase-by-phrase to increase both comprehension and reading speed. Thought groups for the first paragraph are marked for you. In subsequent paragraphs, make an effort to read in thought groups without assistance.

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1 The growing international trend / in organic farming / is driven by consumer demand, / which is currently rising / at the rate of 20 percent per year. / Countries with the highest growth rate / include Argentina, the US, and China, / in that order. / People the world over / are becoming increasingly conscious / of the adverse effects / of industrial agriculture and view organically grown food / as a healthier alternative. While the majority / tend to be sympathetic / to small-scale farmers / and especially appreciate / the benefits of locally grown food, / they take exception to factory farms / controlled by multinational corporations. / In particular, / they object to / the corporate focus on maximizing profits / at the expense of health / and environmental concerns.

2 Health risks include pesticide residues, antibiotics, and hormones as well as the unknown impact of biological engineering. First, recent studies indicate that many produce items are heavily coated with pesticides even after washing and peeling. What’s more, these pesticides have been linked with cancer. Second, the antibiotics we ingest from both plant and animal sources lead to the development of super bugs, which are increasingly difficult to combat. Third, plant and animal growth hormones are known to disrupt the endocrine system* and have the potential to bring on premature puberty in children. Fourth, the unregulated use of genetically modified organisms makes these items virtually invisible in today’s grocery stores. People have no way of knowing whether a product has had its genetic code tampered with by artificial means. Furthermore, they have no idea how this genetic manipulation could impact their health.

3 The environmental hazards of industrial agriculture comprise air pollution, global warming, water contamination, oceanic dead zones, animal cruelty, decreased biodiversity,**, and unsustainable farmlands. Moreover, there is the vicious cycle of producers having to use more pesticides and fertilizers, which exacerbates this core problem. Synthetic fertilizers are the largest global source of nitrous oxide emissions, which are 300 times more toxic than carbon dioxide gases. If these are allowed to continue unchecked, they will not only affect air-pollution levels but also dangerously intensify our current global warming crisis.

4 According to authorities, water pollution is one of the most serious problems arising from conventional farming methods. Animal waste, artificial fertilizers, and pesticides leach into the soil. Then they run off through natural irrigation to contaminate groundwater, which accounts for a large portion of our water supply. Studies consistently show that nitrates from waste and fertilizers, and chemicals from pesticides, are creating permanent damage to groundwater around the world. Furthermore, the preponderance of nitrogen in fertilizers, which helps crops grow, ends up harming oceans. It generates algal overgrowth that depletes so much oxygen in the water that no plant or animal can survive. This is how the dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico and the Black Sea were created.

The Hazards of industrial Agriculture

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2R10 Test Questions

*The endocrine system: This bodily system includes glands, such as the thyroid gland, that produce hormones. The system plays an important role in regulating metabolism, growth, puberty, and overall mood.**Biodiversity: A wide variety of plants and animals within an ecosystem.

5 Industrial mono-cropping (in which one crop is repeatedly planted on a single field with synthetic fertilizers) kills the microorganisms needed to produce soil nutrients. Accordingly, the soil becomes less fertile over time, which leads to erosion, unsustainable farmlands, and reduced biodiversity. Because of the infertility of the soil, farmers then have to use even more fertilizers to maintain productivity. This leads to a vicious cycle whereby greater environmental hazards are created, and the soil degrades even further. Likewise with pesticides, whereby only the fittest pests survive, farmers are forced to use greater amounts or more toxic forms to eradicate them.

6 Organic farming, on the other hand, prohibits or strictly limits the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and genetically modified organisms, thus avoiding or greatly reducing all of the issues involved in industrial agriculture. A It infuses the soil with more essential nutrients as a result of holistic farming techniques such as crop rotation, whereby different crops are planted on a field every year. B This varies the nutrient demands placed on the soil and ensures its sustainability and overall quality. C Organic agriculture also takes the welfare of farm animals into greater consideration. D Confining livestock in small indoor spaces is far less common, especially on small-scale organic farms, and pumping them with antibiotics is never done. On free-range farms, animals are allowed to roam freely, thereby reducing stress and their susceptibility to disease.

1. According to paragraph 1, what do most people think about industrial agriculture?

a) It’s a growing consumer trend driven by market demand.

b) It maximizes profits by spending money on health and environmental concerns.

c) The low food prices are not worth the health and environment risks.

d) Whereas financial concerns are too much of a priority, health and environmental considerations are underemphasized.

2. According to paragraph 1, the word adverse is closest in meaning to

a) unforeseenb) resultingc) negatived) additional

3. According to paragraph 2, which of the following is NOT a human health risk associated with industrial agriculture?

a) Resistance to antibioticsb) Genetic disordersc) Cancerd) Altered growth patterns

4. According to paragraph 2, what can be inferred about genetically modified foods?

a) They are not labeled in grocery stores today.

b) They are coded differently from natural foods.

c) There are not currently sold in grocery stores.

d) Regulations restrict their availability in today’s grocery stores.

Reading Time: ___ minutes, ___ seconds735 words/# of minutes = ______ words per minute

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5. According to paragraph 3, the word exacerbates is closest in meaning to

a) exaggeratesb) exemplifiesc) extendsd) worsens

6. According to paragraph 3, the word these refers to

a) synthetic fertilizersb) pesticidesc) nitrous oxide emissionsd) carbon dioxide gases

7. In paragraph 4, the author includes information about the preponderance of nitrogen in fertilizers in order to

a) demonstrate how this leads to marine environments that cannot sustain life

b) illustrate how plant and animal zones in the Gulf of Mexico and the Black Sea were created

c) highlight the benefits of nitrogen in crop growth

d) show how nitrogen combines with oxygen to kill plants and animals in the oceans

8. According to paragraph 5, microorganisms are necessary to accomplish which of the following tasks?

a) Generate nutrients in the soilb) Combine with synthetic fertilizers

c) Facilitate mono-croppingd) Increase soil infertility

9. According to paragraph 5, the word eradicate is closest in meaning to

a) destroyb) controlc) reduced) irradiate

10. According to paragraph 6, what is the effect of crop rotation?

a) It diverts nutrients from the soil.

b) It improves the quality of crops.c) It places nutrient demands on the

soil.d) The soil remains consistently

healthy.

11. Look at the four squares that indicate where the following sentence could be added to paragraph 6.A high-quality soil rich in microorganisms lends itself to increased biodiversity all the way up the food chain from bacteria and plants to earthworms and beetles to birds and mammals.Where would the sentence best fit?

a) b) c) d)

1. Organic Farming 2. industrial Agriculture

12. Complete the table below to summarize information about the two types of farming discussed in the passage. Match the appropriate outcomes with the types of farming with which they are associated. This question is worth three points (5/5 = 3, 4/5 = 2, 3/5 = 1).

a) Cheaper pricesb) Drug-free livestockc) Higher yieldsd) Negative impact on human healthe) Pollutionf) Reduced biodiversityg) Soil sustainability

Score: /13

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g2R11 Understanding Reading Macrostructure: Problem–solutionComplete the following chart, making sure to identify the solution and note effects related to elements of this solution. Paraphrase the reading based on the contents of this chart.

Problem: industrial Agriculture Solution:

Health Risks No Health Risks

1. Pesticides → cancer 1. No pesticides → no cancer

2. Antibiotics → disrupt endocrine system 2. No antibiotics →

3. Genetically modified organisms → unknown health risks

3. No genetically modified organisms →

Environmental Risks No Environmental Risks

1. Synthetic fertilizers → air pollution, global warming, contaminated water supply, and dead zones in ocean

1. No synthetic fertilizers →

2. Mono-cropping → unsustainable farmlands and soil erosion, ↓ biodiversity and need for ↑ pesticides

2. Crop rotation →

3. Animal cruelty 3. Confining animals in small spaces kept to a minimum; no pumping them with antibiotics →

1. According to the reading, consumer demand is driving a worldwide increase in organic farming. Do you buy any types of organic food? Why or why not?

2. Do you believe organic foods taste better and contain more nutrients? Explain. How do you think organic food compares to locally grown food that may or may not be certified organic?

3. Organic food generally costs more than regular supermarket food. Are you willing to pay more for better quality? Explain.

4. Do you worry about eating any regular supermarket foods—for instance, foods that may contain genetically modified organisms? If so, why?

5. Some produce in regular supermarkets may be coated with cancer-causing pesticide residues. Which types of produce contain the most pesticide residues?

6. Why are animals treated with antibiotics? Why are plants and animals given growth hormones? To your knowledge, which plants and animals are given these supplements?

7. According to the reading, what are the hazards of consuming second-hand antibiotics and growth hormones? How does this make you feel about consuming these products or serving them to your family?

8. What is your opinion about the ways animals are treated on large-scale factory farms run by corporations? Have you heard about large-scale organic farms where animals are mistreated? Do you support this sort of treatment? Why or why not?

9. How do you feel about the fact that genetically modified foods are currently not labeled in grocery stores?

10. According to the reading, how is industrial farming damaging the environment? Do you think governments should allow industrial agriculture to continue in its present form?

Academic Discussion

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Academic Word List VocabularyPronunciation, Paired Quizzes, and Interaction Activity1. Pronounce the following Academic Vocabulary List words after your instructor. Listen

again to the pronunciation of each word. Underline the stressed syllable.2. Read and study the synonyms for each word. Quiz your partner by reading a list of synonyms

and having your partner guess the word. Make sure your partner covers the synonyms section.

3. Change roles.4. After you have had one day to study the vocabulary, play a game with the vocabulary

cards available online.5. Walk around the class. Ask each of the following questions to a different student.

trend n. tendency, movement, fashionWhat new fashion trends do you like or dislike? Why?

focus n. focal point, spotlight, attention, concentrationSome people believe that if you place your focus on the positive aspects of your life, you will bring more good to life, whereas if you concentrate on the negative, you will find that things get worse. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

maximize v. make the most of, make best use of, capitalize onDo you maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses? Why or why not? If so, explain how you accomplish this.

unregulated adj. uncontrolled, free-for-allDo you support the unregulated sale of genetically modified foods in grocery stores? Why or why not?

invisible adj. unseen, impossible to see, imperceptibleIf you had the power to be invisible, how would you use this power?

code n. system of letters, numbers or symbols, set of instructionsWhat is HTML code used for? Would you like to learn HTML? Why or why not?

manipulation n. influence, controlHow can someone use manipulation to get others to do something they don’t want to do?

global adj. worldwide, internationalWould you like to see a world where there was one global language? Why or why not?

comprise v. include, contain, consist ofWhat activities would your perfect day comprise? Why?

cycle n. sequence, rotation, successionDo you find your life consists of a non-stop cycle that involves eating, sleeping, and studying? Why or why not? If you get bored with life, how can you improve your situation?

core n. center, heartWhat core personality traits do you think lead to a happy and successful life? Why? Do you possess these traits? Explain.

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Interactive PowerPoint Presentation: Paraphrasing and Explaining AWL Vocabulary in ContextParaphrase the reading using the PowerPoint slides on pages 80–81. (See pages 23–24 for tips on how to paraphrase.) Explain bolded AWL vocabulary and underlined low-frequency vocabulary.

Class Vocabulary-card Game

affect v. influence, have an effect onWhat was the last movie you saw that really affected you? How did it affect you?

authority n. expert, specialistIn what field would you like to become an authority? Why? At this point in time, do you consider yourself an authority on any subject? If so, which one? Why?

method n. way, technique, approachWhat is the best method of hosting a great party? Why?

generate v. create, produce, cause, makeWhat kind of income would you like to be generating 10 years from now? How do you plan to accomplish this?

erosion n. wearing away, wearing downWhat causes the erosion of people’s confidence in a political leader? Are the political leaders in your country respected or disliked? Why?

sustainable adj. maintainableIs your current standard of living sustainable? Why or why not?

overall adj. general, complete, totalOn a scale of one to five, what would be your overall happiness rating today? Why?

welfare n. well-being, interests, benefit, safetyAre you concerned about the welfare of farm animals? Why or why not?

confine v. shut in, imprison, jailDo you think being confined in jail is a just punishment for criminal behavior? Why or why not?

Two LinesThe class forms two lines in front of the instructor, who pulls a card from the pack and says the word. The first of the two students at the front of the lines to correctly provide a synonym gets the card. The line with the most cards is the winner.

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