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Speaking : GMOs VS Organic Food

How do you feel about genetically modified organisms and organic food? What do you think you know about them? GMOs are something that people know little about despite the fact  they have lots of feelings about.On the other hand many people are choosing to eat organic food because they say it is healthier tastier and better for the environment.It is a subject that shows the  importance of  science and food  education at school. As a teacher I just want to get a feeling about how my students  feel about this subject.Here are some tips for a  speaking lesson about the  issue.If you are asked to describe a photo or a picture in the exam, here is some language you can use:

What is in the picture?

In the picture I can see ...
There’s / There are ...
There isn’t a ... / There aren’t any ...

Say what is happening with the present continuous

The man is ...ing
The people are ...ing
It’s ....verb+ing.

 

 Where in the picture?

At the top/bottom of the picture ...
In the middle of the picture ...
On the left/right of the picture ...
next to
in front of
behind
near
on top of
under

 

If something isn’t clear

It looks like a ...
It might be a ...
He could be ...ing
Maybe it’s a ...

Look at the pictures carefully and take a few moments to think before you start talking.





































  

 ORGANIC OR GMOs?
  • what does the first picture show?
  • What does the second picture show?
  • What is the difference between the two pictures?
  • Do you eat organic food? If yes, which kind of organic food do you usually consume?
  • What's your opinion about GMOs? Do you think GMO food could be harmful or not? Why?
  • Can you list the pros and cons of organic/GMO food?


    Useful words to help your speaking:
vitamins                                                      
minerals                                                      
body health                                                  
eating trends
farm
farmers
farming

pollution
polluted
runoff ( liquidi di smaltimento)
chemicals energy saving
pesticides
herbicides

crops ( coltivazioni)
crop yield ( raccolti)
livestock ( bestiame )
free range animals ( animali ruspanti )
breed ( razza ; e.g. razza animale)
breeding ( allevamento )
pastures
wild life
corn cobs


Discussion points ( thanks to Prof. MR Gilardi):
  • taste
  • fewer chemicals into bodies
  • more vitamins and minerals
  • environmental responsibility: no fertilizers, no pollution, energy saving
  • preservation of water quality (no chemical runoff to pollute rivers and streams)

1) Do you eat organic food?
2) Can you define the word “organic”?
3) Do you know what GMOs are?
4) Do you know what pesticides and herbicides are?
5) Why it might be better to produce food without chemicals?


Possible answers

1)Yes, I do. I always (=sempre) eat organic food
Yes, I do. I often (=spesso) eat organic food
No, I don’t. I never (=mai) eat organic

2) The word “organic” means without chemicals; organic food is food produced using natural methods

3) GMOs are organisms with a Dna altered by genetic engineering techniques.

Or

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms whose (= il cui) genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques. GMOs are the source of genetically modified foods.

Or

Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) refer to plants and animals with an altered genetic make-up. GMOs are generally altered or manipulated by putting genes from another organism in order to increase resistance and quality.

4) Pesticides are substances meant for preventing, destroying or mitigating any pest. Pesticides protect plants from damaging by weeds (=erbacce), diseases or insects.
Herbicides are weed killers used to kill unwanted plants.  They are not selective and kill all plant material with which they come into contact.

Or

Pesticides are substances used to protect plants from diseases and insects. Herbicides are agents used to destroy unwanted plants.

5) Because food additives and contaminants can affect health and pollute water, soil and air.

Or

Because chemicals are dangerous both for health and environment.


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