Pre-reading questions:
- What is swine flu?
- What other animal diseases do you know of?
Vocabulary:
- disruption /dis-RUHP-shuhn/
- widespread /WAHYD-SPRED/
- breakthrough /BREYK-throo/
- innovative /IN-uh-vey-tiv/
- devastating /DEV-uh-stey-ting/
[noun] – the action of preventing something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected
The protest march resulted in road closures and traffic disruptions in the city.
[adjective] – existing or happening in many places and/or among many people
The release of the new product resulted in widespread adoption and popularity among consumers.
[noun] – an important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem
The breakthrough in communication technology enabled instant global connectivity and transformed the way people interacted.
[adjective] – using new methods or ideas
The employees came up with innovative ideas to improve processes and drive growth.
[adjective] – causing great damage or suffering to something or someone
The devastating economic downturn resulted in widespread job losses and financial instability.
Article reading:
African swine flu has caused substantial economic losses and disruptions in the pork supply chain, affecting countries like Vietnam, one of the largest pork producers globally. The vaccine’s development brings hope to Vietnamese pig farmers, who have endured the consequences of this disease for years. Although further testing and regulatory approvals are necessary before widespread distribution, the vaccine’s progress signifies a significant advancement in fighting African swine flu. If successful, the vaccine can not only protect Vietnam’s pig population but also provide a blueprint for other nations grappling with the disease. Considering the strain on global pork supplies, an effective vaccine would be a game-changer for the industry, facilitating recovery and stability. Vietnam’s breakthrough in ASF vaccine development emphasizes the critical role of scientific research in addressing agricultural challenges. By investing in innovative solutions, countries can safeguard their food production systems, mitigating the devastating impact of diseases like African swine flu.
Comprehension questions
- What disease are Vietnamese scientists working on developing a vaccine for?
- What potential benefits could the successful deployment of the vaccine bring?
- How has African swine flu affected Vietnam’s pig farming sector?
- Why is an effective vaccine against African swine flu significant for the pork industry?
- How can investing in innovative solutions help mitigate the impact of agricultural diseases?
Discussion questions
- Have you heard about the African swine flu? Has it affected your country in some way? Tell me about it.
- Are you familiar with any other diseases that have had a similar devastating impact on agricultural sectors? If so, how do you think vaccines or preventive measures could make a difference?
- Do you believe that an effective vaccine for African swine flu could help stabilize global pork supplies and help the pork industry?
- How significant is the development of an effective vaccine for African swine flu for pig farmers and the pork industry?
- In your opinion, how important is it for countries to invest in scientific research to tackle agricultural challenges and safeguard food production systems?