Why diets differ around the world (part 2)

Economic reasons. The variety and amount of food that people have to eat depend largely on their country’s economy. But even in the richest countries, some people cannot afford a good diet. Others simply choose to eat foods that are not nourishing. But some people in the poorest countries have a well-balanced diet.

Most developed countries can produce all the food their people need, or the countries can afford to import the extra necessary supplies. The farmers use modern machinery and scientific methods to increase their production. Developed countries also have modern facilities to process, transport, and store food.

In highly developed countries, most families can afford to buy a variety of foods, and they are more likely to have a well-balanced diet. Their diet is rich in meat, eggs, and dairy products. They also eat large amounts of grain products and of fresh and preserved fruits and vegetables. They also enjoy the convenience of prepared or ready-to-cook food at home.

Most developing countries seldom produce enough food for all their people. In addition, the countries cannot import the extra supplies they need. Many farmers are too poor to buy fertilizers, machinery, and other materials that would increase their output. Developing countries also lack modern facilities for processing, transporting, and storing food.

In some developing nations, many people suffer from an inadequate diet. They also too poor to buy all the food they need or a wide variety of foods. Millions of families depend on the foods they can produce themselves on small plots of lands. Grains and other carbohydrates are the main foods of the majority of people in most developing countries. These foods are the least costly to produce or buy, and they require no refrigeration or other special storage. Meat, milk, and eggs are too expensive for most people. Many families bake their own bread and make most other foods from the basic ingredients. They might even grind grain into flour to make bread.

Religious reasons. Many religions have rules that deal with food. Some religions do not permit their members to eat certain foods. Hindus do not eat beef because cattle are considered sacred. Some groups of Hindus are forbidden to eat any meat. Orthodox Jews do not eat pork, shellfish, and certain other foods. They also follow strict dietary laws regarding the storing, preparing and serving of food.

Some religions set aside certain days for fasting and feasting. Muslims may not eat or drink from dawn to sunset during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. They celebrate Ramadan’s end with a feast.

Exercises

Write 10 questions about this text

2. Now rewrite your questions using Reported speech.

Make a new sentence from the question in brackets.

Where has Tom gone?) Do you know.....

Where is the post office?) Could you tell me where..............................................

What's the time?) I wonder ....................................................................................

What does this word mean?) I want to know.........................................................

What time did they leave?) Do you know.............................................................

Is Sue going out tonight?) I don't know..................................................................

Where does Caroline live?) Do you have any idea................................................

Where did I park the car?) I can't remember..........................................................

Is there a bank near here?) Can you tell me..........................................................

What do you want?) Tell me ................................................................................

Why didn't Kate come to the party?) I don't know.................................................

How much does it cost to park here?) Do you know.............................................

Who is that woman?) I have no idea.......................................................................

Did Liz get my letter?) Do you know......................................................................

How far is it to the airport?) Can you tell me........................................................

4 You are making a phone call. You want to speak to Sue, but she isn't there. Somebody else answers the phone. You want to know three things:

(1) Where has she gone? (2) When will she be back? and (3) Did she go out alone? Complete the conversation:

A: Do you know where..................................................................................?

B: Sorry, I've got no idea.

A: Never mind. I don't suppose you know.......................................................?

B: No, I'm afraid not.

A: One more thing. Do you happen to know.....................................................?

B: I'm afraid I didn't see her go out.

A: OK. Well, thank you anyway. Goodbye.

Grammar Reported Speech (questions)

(Do you know where ... ? / He asked me where ...)

Do you know where ... ? /1 don't know why ... / Could you tell me what ... ? etc. We say: Where has Tom gone?

but Do you know where Tom has gone? {not Do you know where has Tom gone?)

When the question (Where has Tom gone?) is part of a longer sentence (Do you know ... ? / I don't know ... / Can you tell me ... ? etc.), the word order changes. We say:

What time is it? but Do you know what time it is?

Who are those people? I don't know who those people are.

Where can I find Linda? Can you tell me where I can find Linda?