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Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- consecutive /kuhn-SEK-yuh-tiv/
- hinder /HIN-der/
- takeover /TEYK-oh-ver/
- versatile /VUR-suh-tl/
- line /LAHYN/
[adjective] – Consecutive events, numbers, etc. follow one after another without an interruption
This is the third consecutive weekend that I’ve spent working on this project.
[verb] – to limit the ability of someone to do something, or to limit the development of something
Don’t let obstacles hinder you from achieving your goals.
[noun] – a situation in which a company gets control of another company by buying enough of its shares
The shareholders are discussing the takeover next year.
[adjective] – able to be used for many different purposes
Mushroom is a versatile ingredient.
[noun] – a range of similar things that are for sale
Her new clothing line is impressive.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Sales of the canned cooked meat Spam have reached a record high for the seventh consecutive year despite pandemic-related issues. As a result, Hormel, the company behind the iconic brand, generated record sales of $3.5bn in the three months ending in October. The company’s CEO Jim Snee said that they are planning to expand the range of Spam products next year. “We are also beginning work on another expansion for the Spam family of products scheduled to be operational in 2023,” he said. Hormel’s shares jumped by almost 6% in New York on December 9, 2021.
The supply chain challenges did not hinder the brand from completing its takeover of the Planters peanut brand in June, which saw net sales of $11.4 billion, up 19% compared with the fiscal year 2020. Spam has long been a beloved product and a kitchen staple in the Asia-Pacific region. In Hawaii, the versatile canned ham takes the form of Spam Musubi– a sushi-like dish. The canned meat also gained popularity in South Korea and is the main ingredient of budae jjigae, or army stew. Moreover, tins of Spam are given as gifts for the Lunar New Year, sometimes presented in special packaging as part of a promotion for the holiday. Spam was created in 1937 by Hormel Foods Corporation. Skippy peanut butter is also included in Hormel’s long line of products.
The supply chain challenges did not hinder the brand from completing its takeover of the Planters peanut brand in June, which saw net sales of $11.4 billion, up 19% compared with the fiscal year 2020. Spam has long been a beloved product and a kitchen staple in the Asia-Pacific region. In Hawaii, the versatile canned ham takes the form of Spam Musubi– a sushi-like dish. The canned meat also gained popularity in South Korea and is the main ingredient of budae jjigae, or army stew. Moreover, tins of Spam are given as gifts for the Lunar New Year, sometimes presented in special packaging as part of a promotion for the holiday. Spam was created in 1937 by Hormel Foods Corporation. Skippy peanut butter is also included in Hormel’s long line of products.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- When was the last time you ate canned food? How did you prepare it?
- Have you tried any foreign food that you did not like? If not, which foreign food would you like to try?
- If you were to introduce a food product from your city to the U.S., what would it be and why?
- What do you think is the best way to eat Spam?
- In your opinion, why is Spam so popular in Asia?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- sales
- expand
- supply
- popularity
- promotion