Cover of the textbook English File Advanced - Student's Book

The key answer of exercise 5

The key to exercise solutions in chapter 9A - Pet haters for the textbook English File Advanced - Student's Book with authors Christina Latham-Koenig, Clive Oxenden, Jerry Lambert and Kate Chomacki from Oxford University Press

Question

  1. Look at the words from the list. With a partner, say what each of these people eats or doesn't eat.
  2. -
  3. -
  4. -
  5. Listen again and make notes about the reasons for each speaker's opinion. Then compare with a partner and explain the reasons. Whose side are you on for each argument, Jimmy's or Simone's?

Answer

a)

  • an omnivore = sb who eats anything
  • a flexitarian = sb who has a mainly vegetarian diet, but occasionally eats meat or fish
  • a pescatarian = sb who doesn't eat meat, but does eat fish
  • a vegetarian = sb who doesn't eat meat or fish
  • a vegan = sb who doesn't eat or use any animal products

e)

  1. Jimmy says it's immoral to kill animals and eat them. Simone says it isn't immoral; it's a personal decision.
  2. Jimmy says it reduces your carbon footprint much more than flying less or getting an electric car. Simone says it can reduce your carbon footprint, but many vegan-friendly foods, e.g. quinoa and avocados, come from very far away; also, growing food crops can be as damaging to the environment as farming animals.
  3. Jimmy says you need to take a bit of care, but there's nothing wrong with taking vitamin supplements, and many nonvegans do it. Simone says it's harder to maintain a balanced diet if you're vegan, especially with vitamin B12.
  4. Jimmy says overall, being vegan is hugely positive for your health: less risk of diseases, and vegans are not overweight. Simone says it may be partially true, but basically, a vegan diet doesn't give your body what it needs to be healthy.
  5. Jimmy says most restaurants now offer vegetarian and vegan food. Simone says this is only true in big cities and in some countries.
  6. Jimmy says most of his friends are vegan and all his friends enjoy cooking vegan food. Simone says it's inconsiderate to expect people to cook vegan food just for you.