Food shortages

6 Minute English

语言学习

2023-05-18

6 分钟

单集文稿 ...

  • Neil: I'm Neil.

  • Rob: And I'm Rob.

  • Neil: Do you know where the food on your plate comes from?

  • Many people just assume that shops will always be ready with a cheap and plentiful supply.

  • Rob: But recently a lack of certain foods in the UK, a situation known as a food shortage,

  • has left supermarket shelves empty of everyday items like eggs, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

  • Some see these food supply problems,

  • which were caused by unusually cold weather combined with rising energy prices,

  • as a warning not to take a reliable supply for food for granted.

  • Neil: Like many countries, the UK imports much of its food from abroad,

  • and for years has enjoyed a stable and affordable supply.

  • But with changes in the world economy, inflation, and the effects of climate change,

  • how much longer will this continue?

  • In this programme, we'll be finding out,

  • and as usual, learning some useful, new vocabulary as well.

  • Rob: A reliable food supply is essential.

  • In fact, there's an English expression about the dangers of not having enough food for everyone:

  • 'we are only nine meals away...' but, 'away from' what, Neil? Is it:

  • a) arevolution? b) anarchy? or c) famine?

  • Neil: I guess the expression goes: we're only nine meals away from revolution.