Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- prolonged /pruh-LAWNGD/
- culling /KUHL-ing/
- subsequent /SUHB-si-kwuhnt/
- exacerbate /ig-ZAS-er-beyt/
- flock /flok/
[adjective] – continuing for a long time
The prolonged drought has severely impacted the region’s agriculture.
[noun] – the intentional killing animals to prevent the spread of a disease
The culling of sick animals helped stop the disease from spreading.
[adjective] – happening after something else
The storm and the subsequent flooding caused significant damage to the village.
[verb] – to make a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling worse
The heavy rainfall exacerbated the flooding in the low-lying areas.
[noun] – a group of birds or sheep
A flock of geese flew over the lake at sunrise.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Egg prices in the United States have risen once again due to a prolonged outbreak of bird flu coinciding with the high demand for eggs during the holiday baking season. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average price of a dozen eggs in October was $3.37, higher than the previous year but much lower than the $4.82 peak in January 2023. The American Egg Board has indicated that egg shortages have been brief and isolated, with supply issues typically being resolved within a day. The main factor behind the price increase is avian influenza, which has led to the culling of over 111 million birds, primarily egg-laying chickens, since the outbreak began in February 2022. This has caused a decline in the overall egg-laying flock and a subsequent decrease in production by 4% over the past year.
The current bird flu wave has particularly affected cage-free egg supplies, especially in states like California, Nevada, and Oregon, where strict cage-free egg laws are in place. To compensate for the shortages, eggs are being moved from other parts of the country where cage-free production is still high. Additionally, the disease’s spread has been exacerbated by wild birds, whose migration patterns have been altered by climate change and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires. Experts like Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University, explain that the free-range environment of cage-free farming increases the risk of disease transmission. Despite these challenges, the egg industry is working to rebuild its flock, though this can further limit immediate egg supplies. Some positive news has emerged, as the price of chicken feed has fallen significantly, helping to ease costs for farmers.
The current bird flu wave has particularly affected cage-free egg supplies, especially in states like California, Nevada, and Oregon, where strict cage-free egg laws are in place. To compensate for the shortages, eggs are being moved from other parts of the country where cage-free production is still high. Additionally, the disease’s spread has been exacerbated by wild birds, whose migration patterns have been altered by climate change and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires. Experts like Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University, explain that the free-range environment of cage-free farming increases the risk of disease transmission. Despite these challenges, the egg industry is working to rebuild its flock, though this can further limit immediate egg supplies. Some positive news has emerged, as the price of chicken feed has fallen significantly, helping to ease costs for farmers.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced a shortage of a certain food item in your area? If yes, what food item was it, and how did it affect you? If not, what do you think could cause such a shortage in the future?
- Have you ever been concerned about the impact of diseases on the food supply? If yes, what kind of diseases were you worried about, and why? If not, what do you think could be done to prevent diseases from affecting food production?
- Do you agree that climate change is making diseases like bird flu worse?
- How do you think the rise in egg prices affects different groups of people, like farmers, families, and businesses?
- What do you think is more important in solving the egg shortage: reducing the spread of diseases like bird flu or finding ways to increase egg production? Why?
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.
- shortage
- egg-laying
- cage-free
- chicken feed
- holiday baking season