The Slow Food Organization
Read The Slow Food Organization and check the IELTS Reading answers. Slow Food began when Carlo Petrini, an Italian journalist, was dismayed by the opening of a fast food restaurant on the famous Piazza di Spagna in Rome. He decided it was time to celebrate the fast-disappearing virtues of the slow…
Passage preview
Slow Food began when Carlo Petrini, an Italian journalist, was dismayed by the opening of a fast food restaurant on the famous Piazza di Spagna in Rome. He decided it was time to celebrate the fast-disappearing virtues of the slow production, preparation and eating of food. What he had in mind when he began the Slow Food organization were local foods which were prepared in their traditional manner and eaten at leisurely meals with family and friends. Slow Food is the antithesis of everything fast food stands for, and it is now a thriving international organization with members in 45 countries, a successful publishing operation and a biannual trade show. In addition, Slow Food has launched a project called the ‘Ark of Taste’ and a concept called ‘virtuous globalization’.
Vocabulary from this passage
10 words worth learning before you sit the test, each with the sentence it appears in.
- affluent adjective
Having a great deal of money; wealthy and possessing high material standard of living
The gallery's exhibitions are designed to appeal to affluent collectors seeking rare contemporary art.
- antithesis noun
A person or thing that is the direct opposite of someone or something else
The cold, sterile laboratory was the complete antithesis of his warm and chaotic home.
- biodiversity noun
The variety of plant and animal life in the world or in a particular habitat
Constructing the dam threatens the local biodiversity by disrupting fish migration pathways.
- devise verb
To plan or invent a complex system, mechanism, or strategy through careful thought
The engineers had to devise a new method for stabilizing the suspension bridge during high winds.
- discerning adjective
Having or showing good judgment and refined taste in distinguishing quality
The restaurant attracts discerning diners who appreciate locally sourced ingredients and exquisite presentation.
- domesticated species noun
Organisms adaptively bred by humans over generations to live in close association with them
The transition from foraging to agriculture relied heavily on the successful management of domesticated species.
- embody verb
To give a tangible, visible, or concrete form to an idea, quality, or feeling
The national monument is designed to embody the spirit of unity and resilience after the war.
- heritage variety noun
An ancestral strain of cultivated plant or animal breed preserved for its historical and genetic traits
Farmers are reviving heritage varieties of wheat to ensure crop resilience against emerging plant diseases.
- undeterred adjective
Not discouraged or prevented from continuing a task or course of action by obstacles
Undeterred by the steep climb, the researchers reached the summit to collect weather data.
- virtuous globalization noun
An integration approach where local traditions and unique products are sustained through global market access
The artisan cooperative embraced virtuous globalization to export traditional textiles without compromising their cultural heritage.
Answers with explanations
- 1. TRUE
The statement asserts that the **Ark of Taste** lists food plant and animal species that are **in danger of extinction**. In paragraph 2 of the passage, the text defines the **Ark of Taste** as a '**catalog**' (which acts as a list) of '**endangered**' food plant and animal species. Since 'endangered' directly means being **in danger of extinction**, the statement is fully supported. Therefore, the correct answer is **TRUE**.
- 2. FALSE
The statement claims that Slow Food believes the term '**biodiversity**' should be **restricted to wild species**. However, the writer explains that while biodiversity is often associated with wild species, Slow Food believes the biodiversity of **domesticated species** is '**no less important**'. This means they do not restrict the concept of biodiversity to wild species, which directly contradicts the claim. Thus, the answer is **FALSE**.
- 2-3: B
2: The statement claims that Slow Food believes the term '**biodiversity**' should be **restricted to wild species**. However, the writer explains that while biodiversity is often associated with wild species, Slow Food believes the biodiversity of **domesticated species** is '**no less important**'. This means they do not restrict the concept of biodiversity to wild species, which directly contradicts the claim. Thus, the answer is **FALSE**.
3: The statement says that the **genes of heritage plants** may be of **vital importance** to modern **plant breeders**. The text supports this by stating that plant breeders '**will need**' the **disease-resistant genes** found in heritage varieties when modern hybrid crops fail. The term 'will need' confirms that these genes are of vital importance, making the statement **TRUE**.
- 3. TRUE
The statement says that the **genes of heritage plants** may be of **vital importance** to modern **plant breeders**. The text supports this by stating that plant breeders '**will need**' the **disease-resistant genes** found in heritage varieties when modern hybrid crops fail. The term 'will need' confirms that these genes are of vital importance, making the statement **TRUE**.
- 3-4: ["a panoramic camera","panoramic camera"]
3: The statement says that the **genes of heritage plants** may be of **vital importance** to modern **plant breeders**. The text supports this by stating that plant breeders '**will need**' the **disease-resistant genes** found in heritage varieties when modern hybrid crops fail. The term 'will need' confirms that these genes are of vital importance, making the statement **TRUE**.
4: The statement mentions that countries can **sell** the **genes** of their **heritage plant varieties** internationally. Although the passage explains the ecological and agricultural importance of these genes, it contains no information regarding the commercial **sale** or **international trading** of genetic material. Because this claim cannot be confirmed or disproved by the text, the answer is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 4. NOT GIVEN
The statement mentions that countries can **sell** the **genes** of their **heritage plant varieties** internationally. Although the passage explains the ecological and agricultural importance of these genes, it contains no information regarding the commercial **sale** or **international trading** of genetic material. Because this claim cannot be confirmed or disproved by the text, the answer is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 5. FALSE
The statement claims that **Slow Food** believes **food and culture** exist **independently**. However, the text shows that Slow Food views food as deeply connected to culture, stating that food species '**embody a set of social practices**' and a '**way of life**'. Because this means food and cultural identity are fundamentally interdependent, the statement is **FALSE**.
- 6. NOT GIVEN
The statement claims that **Native Americans** are now giving **cookery classes** featuring Iroquois white corn. The text mentions that they grow, roast, and grind the corn, and that Slow Food helps preserve their **specific cookery**, but there is no mention of actual **classes** being conducted. Since we cannot verify this detail, the answer is **NOT GIVEN**.
- 7. unique
The table completions compare Slow Food and Fast Food across several attributes. For the **taste** of **Slow food**, the text states that the taste of a recognized Slow Food is '**unique** to that food'. Therefore, the grammatically correct single word needed to complete this row of the table is '**unique**'.
- 8. limited
The table requires a single word for the **quantities sold** of **Slow food**. The text explains that the quantities of Slow Food products available for selling are '**limited**'. This provides a direct contrast to the 'enormous' quantities sold by fast food companies, making '**limited**' the correct answer.
- 9. unchanging
The table requires a description of the **taste** of **Fast food**. According to the text, global fast food companies aim to sell food that has an '**unchanging** taste wherever in the world it is eaten'. This adjective fits perfectly to complete the comparison table.
- 10. eggs
The question asks what USA farmers were given to raise the endangered turkeys. The passage says the project began with the farmers being '**supplied with**' the '**eggs**' of endangered turkeys, which they had to hatch. Thus, '**eggs**' is the correct single-word noun.
- 11. ["4","four"]
The question asks for the number of **varieties of endangered turkey** that benefited from this national project. The text explicitly states that the eggs were selected from '**four**' varieties. Thus, either '**four**' or '**4**' is correct.
- 12. chefs
The question asks who was unhappy with (or complained about) the **size of the turkeys**. The passage states that '**chefs**' in some restaurants '**complained** that the Slow Food turkeys were smaller'. Therefore, '**chefs**' is the exact target noun.
- 13. consumers
The question asks who liked the **taste** of the turkeys. The text notes that the '**distinctive flavors**' of the turkeys were '**very well received** by **consumers**'. This indicates that '**consumers**' is the group who appreciated the taste.