Sugar rush: how Mexico’s addiction to fizzy drinks fuelled its health crisis

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

To avoid (doing) something

However

To warn/ Warning

Gradually

Due to

To be linked (to something/ someone)

To prevent

To lead to

To ban (something/ someone)/ A ban (on something/ someone)

To consume (something)/ Consumption

To be committed (to something/ someone)

Despite

Campaigners say the ban would probably face stiff opposition if it was imposed.

To weaken/ strengthen/ worsen

To cut down (on something)

Obese/ Obesity

To urge someone to do something

To fuel (something)

To soar

To allege (something)/ Allegedly

To be under strain

To bear fruit

To face stiff opposition

To be earmarked

Amid

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1.      What did a Southern Mexican state ban, and has this ban been enforced?

2.      How much Coca-Cola do the Mexican people consume, and are they all aware of its health implications?

3.      What happened in Yalalag?

4.      What other laws are there to protect Mexican people from Coca-Cola?

5.      What did Coca-Cola say?

6.      ‘I would like to see Coca-Cola banned from my city too.’ Is this true for you?

7.      ‘I really ought to cut down on sugar, salt, coffee and cigarettes, but I just don’t have the willpower to do it.’ Is this true for you?

8.      ‘Sugar should be banned from schools.’ Do you agree?

9.      ‘The addiction to sugar is probably more harmful to society than any other addiction.’ Do you agree?

10.    ‘Generally speaking, people’s diets are improving.’ Do you agree?

11.    ‘I would refuse to work for Coca-Cola because they are evil.’ Do you agree?

12.    ‘The problem of obesity in Mexico is not the government’s fault, it is the fault of individual Mexicans.’ Do you agree?

13.    ‘Homemade food is always the healthiest option, that’s why I cook a homemade meal every night.’ Is this true for you?

14.    ‘You should be allowed to do whatever you want, as long as you’re not directly harming anyone else.’ Do you agree?

15.    ‘Mexico is the next place I want to go to on holiday!’ Is this true for you?

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