Warm-up
Answer a few quick questions before today’s lesson about food and drink.
Listening
Listen to the recording and answer the questions in each part. You can replay the audio as many times as you need — click anywhere on the progress bar to jump to a specific moment. Read the questions in each part first, then submit when you are ready; your answers will be marked together at the end of each part.
Listening — Should Teenagers Eat Fast Food? A Balanced Look
This listening task is split into parts. The audio player stays at the top of the page so you can replay it freely — click anywhere on the progress bar to jump to a specific moment. For each part, read the questions first, then listen and answer. You can change your answers until you click Submit; feedback appears once you submit each part.
Reading
Read the passage on the left, then work through the questions on the right.
Reading — The Fast Food Debate: Why Teenagers Must Think Twice
Read the passage on the left, then answer the questions one by one.
The Fast Food Debate: Why Teenagers Must Think Twice
Fast food has become a defining feature of teenage life. Convenience stores, burger chains and pizza outlets line high streets across the world, offering quick, affordable meals that require minimal effort. Yet behind the appeal lies a troubling health crisis. According to recent studies, obesity rates among teenagers have tripled in the past twenty years, with processed fast food identified as a major culprit. High in salt, sugar and artificial additives, these meals provide little nutritional value while encouraging unhealthy eating habits from a young age. It could be argued that fast food serves a genuine purpose in busy modern life. Many teenagers juggle school, homework and part-time work, leaving little time for home-cooked meals. Takeaway options offer an affordable solution when budgets are tight, and a quick burger or fried chicken requires no preparation. On the other hand, this convenience comes at a severe cost. Large portion sizes mask the true calorie content of these meals—a single fast food lunch can contain a teenager’s entire daily recommended intake of calories. Over time, regular consumption leads to weight gain, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the additives in processed food have been linked to poor concentration and mood swings, directly affecting academic performance. Despite the industry’s claims about offering ‘healthier options’, most teenagers gravitate towards the traditional high-fat, high-sugar items. Menu salads and low-calorie alternatives remain niche choices, while burgers and fries dominate sales. The real solution lies not in expecting teenagers to make better choices, but in reducing their exposure to fast food marketing and restricting their access through stronger regulation. Schools should ban vending machines selling fizzy drinks and snacks, and governments must tax sugary items to discourage consumption. In my view, while occasional fast food is unlikely to cause lasting harm, the current culture of casual, frequent consumption is unsustainable. Teenagers deserve education about nutrition and genuine alternatives—not false promises from corporations seeking profit.Vocabulary Practice
Practise the 12 key vocabulary items from this lesson through three exercises.
Vocabulary Practice — Fast Food
Work through all three parts. Each part uses the same vocabulary in a different way.
Writing Task
- State a clear position on whether fast food is harmful to teenagers.
- Support your view with two developed arguments, each with concrete examples.
- Acknowledge and respond to at least one opposing viewpoint.
- Use B2 vocabulary (processed, nutritious, convenience, obesity, portion size, additive).
- Use opinion phrases and cohesive devices to link ideas logically.
Speaking
Speaking task. Read the instructions, then complete the task.
After the Lesson
Reflect on what you learned and how confident you feel now.
Teacher Guide
Practise with
- dineverb
to eat dinner, usually in the evening at a restaurant or in a formal way
- fibrenoun
A thin thread-like substance in plants that aids digestion and supports health.
- grateverb
to rub food against a grater to cut it into small pieces
- herbnoun
a plant used to add flavour to food or treat illness
- proteinnoun
a nutrient needed for growth and repair
- push the boat outidiom
to spend more money or make more effort than usual
- starveverb
to suffer greatly from lack of food
- vegannoun
a person who doesn't eat meat, fish, or any animal products like dairy or eggs
- wheatnoun
a cereal grain used to make flour
- whiskverb
to mix something such as eggs or cream using a whisk or a fork