1 SPEAKING In pairs, match photos A–D with places 1–4 below. Check your answers on page 87. Then say in which of the places you would most/least like to live and why.
1 D a small town in Sardinia, Italy
2 B the suburbs in Southern California
3 A a village in Costa Rica
4 C the city of Okinawa, Japan
The suburbs of a town in San Bernardino County, California; villages in Greece and Costa Rica; a city in Okinawa, Japan; a small town in Sardinia. At first sight, these places are very different. But Dan Buettner, an American writer, and explorer, noticed that these very different places have one thing in common: people there have a good chance of living to be 100 years old or more. He called these places ‘blue zones’ and decided to spend time with the people who lived there to try to find out the secret to their long lives. The first thing Dan noticed about the inhabitants of blue zones was their healthy diet. They eat a lot of fruit and vegetables. They don’t eat much meat but get their protein from beans, lentils, or nuts. They don’t eat many dairy products, either. Their diets are low in sugar and salt. And they don’t consume a lot of fast food or soft drinks. Secondly, Dan noticed that people stop eating when they no longer feel hungry – not when they feel ‘full up’. Most importantly, in blue zones, people see food as a gift and meals as a special time. They switch off TVs or smartphones and give thanks before they eat. Then they sit, eat, talk, take their time, and enjoy their food. Another thing that Dan noticed was that people living in blue zones all seem to share certain habits in their lifestyles. They get exercise naturally by working outdoors. They stay fit by walking (not driving). And they sleep well (seven or eight hours a night, usually). Finally, Dan found that the inhabitants of blue zones in all those different places around the world have a similar way of looking at life. They are generally optimistic. Community is very important to them. Neighbours, friends, and family come together often, and people from different generations (for example grandparents and grandchildren) have a lot of contact with each other. Older people are important and respected members of the community.
4 PRONUNCIATION Listen and underline the different word stress in the words in bold. How do the meanings change?
1
a There is fresh produce at the market. produce
b They produce delicious cookies at that factory. produce
2
a I keep a record of how far I walk each day. record
b Can you record that cooking show, please? record
3
a I need to increase the amount of fruit I eat. increase
b There is an increase in fast-food restaurants in our town. increase
5 Use the highlighted collocations related to health and lifestyle from the article to complete the statements below.
1 I don’t eat many dairy products but I love yoghurt!
2 Our school shop doesn’t sell soft drinks– you can only buy water.
3 The only time I get exercise is when I take the rubbish out.
4 When my grandmother cooks for us, we feel really full up afterwards!
5 I go to a gym to work out so I can stay fit.
6 I want to get exercise so I can be fitter.
7 I don’t have a healthy diet – I eat too much fast food like burgers and fries.
8 I love popcorn – it’s low in sugar got lots of vitamins and it’s and calories!
9 I don’t usually sleep well before exams.
6 SPEAKING In groups, read these ‘blue zone’ tips for healthy living. Which things do you do already? Which are the most difficult to follow? Which would you like to do?
• Drink water instead of soft drinks.
• Sleep for eight hours.
• Eat a lot of nuts.
• Switch off your TV/phone during meals.
• Walk instead of taking a bus or going by car.
• Don’t eat too much (or any) meat.
• Watch something funny on the Internet as part of your day.
• Stop eating snacks.
• Eat just two meals a day.
• Go without food on one day a week.
• Eat five pieces of fruit every day.
• Spend more time with your neighbours.
Students’ own answers
Workbook
1 Read the text quickly. Number the food items in the order they are mentioned.
3Falafael 4Knafeh 1Mansaf 2Maqluba
| JORDANIAN CUISINE One of the most famous dishes in Jordan is mansaf. It is often considered the national dish. This meal consists of tender lamb cooked in a yogurt sauce, served with rice with toasted almonds and pine nuts on top. Mansaf is typically enjoyed on special occasions and is a symbol of hospitality and generosity. Another popular Jordanian dish is maqluba, which translates to 'upside-down' in Arabic. This dish is made by layering rice, vegetables, and meat in a pot, then turning it upside down before serving it. Maqluba has a beautiful mosaic of colours and flavours. Maqluba is a comforting and delicious meal that is enjoyed by families across Jordan. For a quick and satisfying snack, Jordanians often treat themselves to falafel. These are crispy chickpea patties flavoured with herbs and spices. These tasty treats are typically served in pitta bread with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce, making them a popular street food option. Jordan is also known for its delicious sweets, with one of the most famous being knafeh. This dessert has layers of shredded fi lo pastry stuff ed with sweet cheese and covered in a fragrant sugar syrup. On top there are crushed pistachios for added crunch, knafeh will satisfy any sweet tooth. Finally, no discussion of Jordanian cuisine would be complete without mentioning tea. Jordanians are passionate about their tea, which is typically served strong and sweet. It is customary to enjoy a cup of tea with friends and family throughout the day, making it a central part of Jordanian culture. In conclusion, Jordanian food is a celebration of flavour, tradition, and hospitality. From hearty stews to sweet desserts, Jordanian cuisine offers something for everyone to enjoy |
2 Read the text again and choose the correct answers.
1 According to the writer mansaf,
a is not the national dish of Jordan.
b shows how generous Jordanians are.
c is served with pitta bread.
2 Falafel gets its distinctive flavour from
a chickpeas and rice.
b herbs and spices.
c lamb and yogurt.
3 Maqluba looks nice because
a it has layers of shredded filo pastry.
b it is served with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.
c of the colours from the combination of rice, vegetables and meat.
4 The crunch to knafeh is added by using
a toasted almonds.
b crushed pistachios.
c pine nuts.
5 Tea is an important aspect of Jordanian culture because
a people enjoy it with friends and family.
b it is a key ingredient in many dishes.
c it is only served on special occasions.