Global School Lunches: Best vs Worst – Where Are Students Eating Well (or Not)?

Ans)     

📘 TOPIC RELATED QUESTIONS – Answers & Explanations

1.D. France

→ France’s school lunches focus on culinary sophistication and cultural appreciation.

2.C. Japan

→ The article states that students in Japan serve each other as part of a communal practice.

3.B. Italy

→ Italy’s lunches reflect simplicity and regional food identity using fresh ingredients.

4.D. United Kingdom

→ The UK was noted for inconsistent quality, especially in poorer areas.

5.B. India

→ India’s Mid-Day Meal Scheme is praised but described as basic and lacking in nutrients.

📗 VOCABULARY QUESTIONS – Answers & Explanations

6.A. basic

→ ‘Rudimentary’ means simple or elementary.

7.A. precise

→ ‘Meticulous’ implies attention to fine detail.

8.B. praised

→ ‘Lauded’ is a synonym of praised or applauded.

9.B. mass-produced

→ ‘Commoditized’ means something made common and interchangeable, like processed food.

10.C. disgusting

→ ‘Repugnant’ describes something that causes strong dislike or disgust.

📙 INFERENCE QUESTIONS – Answers & Explanations

11.D. It often lacks fresh ingredients.

→ Described as processed, monotonous, and lacking nutritional value.

12.A. They promote social skills.

→ Students serve each other, teaching responsibility and community.

13.B. They see food as a cultural experience.

→ Meals in France are designed for cultural and taste development.

14.C. They are essential for student attendance.

→ The Mid-Day Meal Scheme boosts school attendance.

15.C. It emphasizes tradition and freshness.

→ Italy uses local, simple, and traditional ingredients.

📕 SAT-STYLE QUESTIONS – Answers & Explanations

16.A. Appreciative

→ The tone is clearly positive when describing Japan's school system.

17.B. ideal models

→ ‘Exemplary’ means a model or example to follow.

18.C. School meals reflect national values and priorities.

→ Central idea of the article is the cultural and social reflection in school lunches.

19.B. school meals are viewed as mere necessities

→ ‘Commoditized’ implies food is treated with little regard for quality or culture.

20.B. highlight reform efforts

→ Michelle Obama’s campaign is mentioned as an example of positive reform.

📘 TOEFL-STYLE QUESTIONS – Answers & Explanations

21.B. Student-served meals

→ Japanese students serve one another as part of the lunch system.

22.C. Their culinary education

→ French lunches are designed to educate taste and manners.

23.B. United Kingdom

→ The UK is described as improving but still inconsistent.

24.D. It provides basic meals but lacks nutrition

→ India's meals help with attendance but are criticized for lack of nutrition.

25.C. Comparative evaluation

→ The article compares best and worst lunch systems around the world.

📒 IELTS – TRUE / FALSE / NOT GIVEN – Answers & Explanations

26.False

→ Japan’s food is freshly cooked on-site, not frozen.

27.True

→ France includes cheese and dessert in its school meals.

28.Not Given

→ The passage doesn’t mention a complete ban on fried foods in the UK.

29.True

→ India’s lunch program is linked to improved attendance.

30.Not Given

→ The article doesn’t specify the number of meals per day for each country.

Writing Sample

Essay

In recent years, the issue of school lunches has become an important topic of debate. While some advocate for a standardized global lunch program to guarantee nutritional equity, others argue that school meals should represent the local culture and cuisine. This essay will explore both perspectives before presenting a reasoned opinion.

On the one hand, proponents of standardized meals emphasize health and equality. A unified system could help reduce disparities among countries, ensuring that all students, regardless of location, receive balanced and wholesome meals. This would be especially beneficial in low-income nations where malnutrition is common. Furthermore, a global standard could improve efficiency in food distribution and prevent children from consuming highly processed or unhealthy food, which is prevalent in some countries.

On the other hand, school lunches are more than just food—they are part of cultural education. Nations like France and Japan have incorporated school meals into lessons on etiquette, nutrition, and national identity. Local ingredients and traditional recipes provide students with a sense of pride and connection to their heritage. Imposing a global standard might result in cultural homogenization, erasing valuable culinary traditions.

In my view, while nutritional standards should be promoted internationally, full standardization is neither practical nor culturally respectful. A more balanced solution would be to establish global health guidelines while allowing each country to design meals that align with its own values and resources.

In conclusion, although global meal standardization could offer health benefits and fairness, maintaining cultural diversity in school lunches is equally important. A hybrid approach can ensure children are both nourished and connected to their culture. (words: 280)

Short answer questions

• 1. What is one benefit of having standardized school lunches?
  

• Answer:
  

• It ensures that all students receive balanced and nutritious meals.
  

• 
  
  

• Explanation:
  

• The essay mentions that a standardized system could help reduce disparities and guarantee that all children, especially in low-income countries, have access to healthy food. This promotes nutritional equity.
  

• 
  
  

• 2. Why do some people want school meals to reflect local traditions?
  

• Answer:
  

• Because school meals are part of cultural education and help students feel connected to their heritage.
  

• 
  
  

• Explanation:
  

• The essay explains that meals using local ingredients and traditional recipes foster national identity and cultural pride, as seen in countries like France and Japan.
  

• 
  
  

• 3. What does the writer suggest as the best solution?
  

• Answer:
  

• To follow global health guidelines but let each country design its own culturally appropriate meals.
  

• 
  
  

• Explanation:
  

• Rather than full standardization, the writer supports a hybrid approach: promote health globally while preserving cultural diversity through flexible implementation of school lunches.
  

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