Adapted from VETA, used with kind permission of MrOusseynouSeck
Poverty is a major cause of malnutrition. While many take food for granted, millions of others rarely enjoy a nutritious meal. "Here at home we eat anything we can get hold of ", said a Brazilian bricklayer, father of six children. That usually mean stale bread and weak coffee or rice and beans. In fact, according to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, 20 percent of the world's population suffer from hunger. While there is widespread famine in some African countries, there is a large number of hungry people in Asia. Even in the United States, 12 percent of the population, or 30 million people repeatedly do not have enough to eat.
Not only is poor nutrition detrimental but it can kill. “Malnutrition caused by poor child feeding practices claims over 10 times as many lives as actual famine," notes researcher William Chandler. "Coupled with diarrhoea dehydration, malnutrition is the leading killer in the world. Reports UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund): "No epidemic, no flood, nor any earthquake or war has ever robbed the lives of 250,000 children in just a week." But that is the number of children throughout the world who die because of malnutrition and resulting illnesses, according to that UN agency. In fact, the damage caused by malnutrition is incalculable: learning ability decreases, the labour force weakens, work production and quality decline.
Yet, adequate intake of the proper foods can overcome: poor nutrition and such side effects as anaemia and other ailments. Governmental aid such as school lunches and soup kitchens may alleviate malnutrition in some areas, but according to UNICEF officials, $ 25 billion is needed annually to reduce the deaths of children caused by diarrhoea, pneumonia, and measles. A lot of money some might say. But that is reportedly what Americans spend on sports footwear and Europeans on wine in one year. Another challenge is to reduce waste. Though an estimated 32 million Brazilians go hungry, Brazil’s ministry of Agriculture reports “that harvest waste (worth $ 1.5 billion) in transportation or storage causes a loss of 18 to 20 percent of the nation's output." There are major problems in Agriculture, irrigation, food storage, and transportation in many nations; yet, the earth can still provide abundantly for all. So how can you face the challenge of feeding your family?
In developing countries people often manage to feed their family by having two or three jobs. In Brazil 1.5 million annually leave family and friends to migrate to large cities in search of work and food. Although health depends to a certain extent on what people eat, a large part of their budget goes for clothing, housing, and transportation.
Happily, common foods, such as rice, beans, corn, potatoes, cassava, and bananas, supplemented by some meat and fish, are the main sources of nutrition for families all over the world. Brazilian nutritionist José Eduardo de Oliviera stated; “Beans and rice are a combination with very high nutritional value. With such a simple and low priced diet, it is possible to end famine in the country." Yes, inexpensive and nutritious food may be available where you lie. Or you may even grow some of your food.
To achieve and maintain good health, people must have basic knowledge about the human body and how it functions. Only then can they determine what will or will not help or hurt their health; Learning about health should be a part of every person's education.
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS: 8pts
A-Choose the right answer : (2 points)
- The text mainly deals with
b)The problem of malnutrition in the world.
c)The causes of hunger in the world. /
- According to the writer education is
b)not essential in the fight against malnutrition.
c)unnecessary in the fight against malnutrition.
B-Say whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE.Justify by quoting the text. (3 points)
1-According to William Chandler malnutrition is 10 times less dangerous than famine.
______
2-An important part of the harvest in Brazil is lost during transportation or storage.
______
3-Unless they learn how the human body functions, people will not know what is detrimental to their health.
______
C-Refer to the text and complete the table.(1.5 point)
Malnutrition has three main consequences:
12
3
D-Who said what? Find the correspondences between the speakers and the statements. Then tick the right box.(1.5 point)
SPEAKERSA bricklayer / A nutritionist / A researcher
STATEMENTS / Even with limited means it is possible to put an end to famine.
The world pays a heavy tribute to malnutrition
In Brazil we eat whatever is available
LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE:(6points)
A-Two of local community representatives meet after a meeting. Complete their discussion : (4 points)
ALPHA:I didn't attend the meeting because I was out of town.
SALLY:Had I______I would have ______.
ALPHA:Yes, you are, and it was such an important one. How was it?
SALLY:That’s true. Seldom______
ALPHA: By the way, what did the fellow deputies say about food reach out project.
SALLY: The project is said______
ALPHA: Whatever ______, they have to admit it is a good one.
SALLY: I cannot agree more with you.
B-Choose the right answer: (1 point)
1-I must remember______this letter. It’s very important.
a) postb) to postc) postingd) posted
2-Do you think you will pass your exam? Well, ______
a) I hope tob) I hope so c) I hope thatd) I hope it
C-Complete the following passage with the appropriate preposition.(2 points)
African countries depend too much______foreign aid. What they should do is stay ______from Ethnic conflicts and political turmoil. All African countries should agree ______a common currency in order to develop trade. We should be pleased______the ground work done by pan Africanist pioneers.
ESSAY: Choose one topic and write about it. (5points)
Topic 1: According to the writer, “Learning about health should be part of every person's education." Explain and comment upon this statement.
Topic 2: Relief of misery among children is one of the declared purposes of the UNICEF. Do you think the UNICEF can help put an end to poverty in Africa? What is your opinion?