©U.S. FDA
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- verge /vurj/
- classification /klas-uh-fi-KEY-shuhn/
- relish /REL-ish/
- overload /OH-ver-lohd /
- sneak /sneek/
[noun] – the edge or border of something
The team’s hard work and dedication brought them to the verge of victory in the final minutes of the game.
[noun] – the division of things into groups by type
The scientist conducted research to determine the accurate classification of the newly discovered species.
[verb] – to like or enjoy something
I relish spending time with my friends and doing fun activities together.
[noun] – too much of something
The overload of information on the internet can make it difficult to distinguish between reliable sources and unreliable ones.
[verb] – to go somewhere secretly, or to take someone or something somewhere secretly
Cautiously, the spy attempted to sneak classified documents out of the secure facility.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
It appears that the sweetener aspartame, commonly present in a wide array of foods and fizzy beverages, is on the verge of receiving an official classification as “possibly carcinogenic” to humans. However, this classification fails to provide any insight into the magnitude of the associated risk, leaving us somewhat bewildered. It’s worth noting that aspartame is not the sole member of the “possibly carcinogenic” club; aloe vera, diesel, and pickled Asian vegetables also find themselves in the mix. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) unveiled this information on July 14.
This sweetener boasts a staggering sweetness level that is 200 times greater than that of sugar, allowing us to relish the taste without the calorie overload. You’ll discover it listed among the ingredients of diet or sugar-free delights like diet sodas, chewing gum, and select yogurts. It plays a significant role in popular beverages such as Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, and 7-Up Free. Astoundingly, it sneaks its way into roughly 6,000 different food products.
Although aspartame has been in use for many years and has received approval from food safety organizations, it remains a contentious topic. The IARC has meticulously reviewed an impressive 1,300 studies on aspartame’s potential correlation with cancer. Rumor has it that it will ultimately be labeled as “possibly carcinogenic.” However, it is important to grasp that this classification does not illuminate the true level of risk that aspartame poses to our well-being. Rather, it highlights the strength of the available evidence. Both the IARC and another expert committee on food additives made official announcements, which were complemented by a publication in the Lancet Oncology journal.
This sweetener boasts a staggering sweetness level that is 200 times greater than that of sugar, allowing us to relish the taste without the calorie overload. You’ll discover it listed among the ingredients of diet or sugar-free delights like diet sodas, chewing gum, and select yogurts. It plays a significant role in popular beverages such as Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi Max, and 7-Up Free. Astoundingly, it sneaks its way into roughly 6,000 different food products.
Although aspartame has been in use for many years and has received approval from food safety organizations, it remains a contentious topic. The IARC has meticulously reviewed an impressive 1,300 studies on aspartame’s potential correlation with cancer. Rumor has it that it will ultimately be labeled as “possibly carcinogenic.” However, it is important to grasp that this classification does not illuminate the true level of risk that aspartame poses to our well-being. Rather, it highlights the strength of the available evidence. Both the IARC and another expert committee on food additives made official announcements, which were complemented by a publication in the Lancet Oncology journal.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever consumed sweet drinks that contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, such as diet sodas or sugar-free beverages? If so, could you share your experience? If not, are you familiar with sweet drinks that contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame?
- Do you prefer sweet drinks that use natural sweeteners like sugar or those that use artificial sweeteners like aspartame? Can you explain your preference and any reasons behind it?
- Do you believe that the classification of aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic” provides sufficient information about its potential health risks?
- Do you think there should be stricter regulations or clearer labeling requirements for products that contain this sweetener? If yes, what specific measures do you think would be appropriate? If not, what reasons support your belief that the current regulations are sufficient?
- How do you think the potential classification of aspartame as “possibly carcinogenic” might impact consumer perceptions and choices regarding sweet drinks and other products containing this artificial sweetener?
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.
- sole
- associated
- grasp
- staggering
- sugar-free
Listening: