EIC 10 – Unit 10 - Writing

WRITING A FORMAL LETTER TO A NEWSPAPER

Read the magazine below from and then write a letter to the Editor. Give at least
two reasons for your opinion and explain each one clearly. For explanation for
the new vocabulary which is underlined, look at the glossary after the text.
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Food Safety after a Flood
People can get sick if they eat food touched by floodwaters. Floodwater may contain
human and animal wastes, and other pollutants like agricultural and industrial chemicals.

After a flood, throw away anything not stored in a waterproof container if there was a
chance of contact. That is the advice of food safety specialists at the United States
Agriculture Department.

Food containers that are not waterproof, they say, include those with screw caps, snap
lids, pull tops and crimped caps. Also throw away boxes of juice, milk or baby formula if
they have come into contact with floodwater.

Also, do not eat fresh produce from the garden if it has come in contact with floodwater.
To be safe, have the soil tested.

The Extension Service also says to throw away screw-topped or crimp-topped jars and
bottles even if they have never been opened.

Glass jars and bottles of home-canned foods should be thrown out as well. Experts say
the containers cannot be effectively cleaned after a flood.

Throw away damaged metal cans or hard plastic containers. Do not use cans that are
swollen or leaking, or that are rusted or crushed.

But experts say that some unopened, undamaged all-metal cans can be saved. First,
remove any labels. The paper may contain dirt and germs from the floodwater. Wash the
cans with soap and water, and brush or wipe away dirt. Use hot water and water that is
safe for drinking if they are available.

Next, place the cans again in water and heat the water to one hundred degrees Celsius.
Boil the cans for two minutes.

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 EIC 10 – Unit 10 - Writing

Another way to disinfect them is in a freshly made solution of chlorine bleach. Use one
tablespoon of unscented liquid bleach for every four liters of water. Use drinking water or
the cleanest, clearest water available. Place the cans in the solution for fifteen minutes.
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New vocabulary Definitions and Demonstrations

pollutant
a substance that pollutes something, especially air and water
/pəˈluːtənt/

chemical (n.)
a substance obtained by or used in a chemical process
/ˈkemɪkl/

waterproof
that does not let water through or that cannot be damaged by water
/ˈwɑːtərpruːf/

screw cap (n.)

/ˈskruː kæp/

a container with a top that screws onto it

snap lid (n.)

/snæp lɪd/

a container with a top that you break off to open it

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 EIC 10 – Unit 10 - Writing

New vocabulary Definitions and Demonstrations

pull top (n.)

/pʊl tɑːp/

a container with a top that you pull off to open it

crimped cap (n.)

/krɪmpd kæp/

a container with a top that you press into to close

formula (n.)
/ˈfɔːrmjələ/

a type of liquid food for babies

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 EIC 10 – Unit 10 - Writing

New vocabulary Definitions and Demonstrations

jar (n.)
/dʒɑːr/

a round glass container, with a lid, used for storing food, especially jam,
honey, etc

swollen (adj.)
containing more water than normal
/ˈswoʊlən/

leak (v.)
/liːk/

to allow liquid or gas to get in or out through a small hole or crack

rusted (adj.)
/rʌstɪd/

covered with rust

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 EIC 10 – Unit 10 - Writing

New vocabulary Definitions and Demonstrations

crushed (adj.)
/krʌʃt/

pressed

germ (n.)
/dʒɜːrm

a very small living thing that can cause infection and disease

disinfect (v.)
to clean something using a substance that kills bacteria
/ˌdɪsɪnˈfekt/

chlorine (n.)
/ˈklɔːriːn/

a chemical element

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 EIC 10 – Unit 10 - Writing

New vocabulary Definitions and Demonstrations

tablespoon (n.)
/ˈteɪblspuːn/

a large spoon, used especially for serving food

unscented (adj.)
not having a strong pleasant smell
/ʌnˈsentɪd/

bleach (n.)
/bliːtʃ/

a chemical that is used to make something become white or pale and as a

disinfectant

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 EIC 10 – Unit 10 - Writing

Write your letter here.

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 EIC 10 – Unit 10 - Writing

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