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SS1: ENGLISH LANGUAGE - 1ST TERM

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  1. SS1: English Language First Term - Week 1
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Topic Content:

  • Title: Healthy Diet
  • Text: New Oxford Secondary English Course for SS1 pages 41-43

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions on it.

Healthy Diet:

          Eating well is a matter of common sense and understanding a few simple rules about nutrition. For instance, those who are food fads tend to think of carbohydrates in a negative way – that they make us fat. This is not necessarily so as carbohydrates are needed largely to supply energy to the body. The major thing to note here is which ones are necessary and which ones can be done away with, at least to a minimum.

          There are several kinds of sugar. There is the commonly used white sugar which we use to sweeten our foods and drinks. This is a very concentrated substance and should be taken with caution. This form of sugar is also the same kind used liberally in cakes, biscuits, pastries, confectionery, tinned foods and other processed foods. Although sugar is very necessary to the body, the kind we get from these foods is not only unnecessary but harmful. Apart from causing tooth decay and weight problems, research has indicated they are linked with heart disease, diabetes, hyperactivity in children and a number of other illnesses.

          On the other hand, the kind which occurs naturally in unprocessed food like fruits and vegetables are very useful and in fact, provide enough sugar required by the body. Also, it is very difficult to take too much of sugar if you take it wrapped in the fibre of these foods because you automatically feel too full. Other sources of fibre, which include wholemeal bread, beans, peas and nuts are equally important in maintaining good health. A diet rich in fibre helps to prevent constipation, haemorrhoids, heart problems and a great many other complaints.

          Fats are needed for the body’s warmth and energy. It has been suggested by researchers that plant fats are far more beneficial to the body than animal fats. But you’ll need to watch it as one can easily gain weight by eating too much fatty foods.

          Ideally, do not cook your food for longer than necessary. The reason is that overcooking destroys vital nutrients that are needed by the body. If you are cooking vegetables, use as little water as possible, and try to keep them slightly crisp and underdone. This way, they come out better and are more nourishing. Better still, eat as much as you can raw.

          Also, do not keep your food standing for a long time after cooking before you eat and endeavour to cook only portions that can be eaten at once. Refrigerating and reheating food leads to the loss of nutrients from food.

          Finally, buy the right kinds of food and maintain a healthy diet at all times.

(Source: Saturday “PUNCH” 15th September, 2001)

Questions and Answers:

1. Mention three uses of white sugar.

A – White sugar is used in cakes, biscuits and tinned foods. (Some other uses of white sugar you could mention are pastries, confectionery, processed foods and drinks).

2. State three ways in which sugar can cause harm to the body.

A – Three ways sugar can cause harm to the body are tooth decay, weight problems and heart disease. (Other harmful effects you could mention are diabetes and hyperactivity in children).

3. Mention three sources of fibre.

A – Three sources of fibre are wholemeal bread, beans and peas. (You could also mention nuts as a source of fibre).

4. State two advantages of a diet rich in fibre.

A – Two advantages of a diet rich in fibre are it helps prevent constipation and haemorrhoids. (You could also state that a diet rich in fibre helps prevent heart problems).

5. What is the disadvantage of consuming too much fat?

A – The disadvantage of consuming too much fat is it could easily lead to weight gain.

6. Why must one not cook food for longer than necessary?

A – One must not cook food for longer than necessary because this destroys the vital nutrients in the food that are needed by our bodies.

7. “… because you automatically feel too full”.

i. What grammatical name is given to this expression as it is used in the passage?

A – It is a Subordinate (or Dependent) Clause.

ii. What is its function?

A – It complements the sentence’s main clause and adds meaning to the sentence.

8. For each of the following words or phrases, find another word or phrase which means the same and which can replace it as it is used in the passage.

i. needed

ii. caution

iii. indicated

iv. required

v. watch it

Answers:

i. needed – demanded, required

ii. caution – carefulness, watchfulness

iii. indicated – shown, revealed

iv. required – vital, essential

v. watch it – be cautious, stay alert

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