Unit 1: The History of Chocolate

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Word List

  • n. An aroma is a scent or smell.
    I love the aroma of coffee in the morning.
  • n. A beverage is a drink.
    The waiter brought our beverages first. Then he brought our food.
  • n. A cluster of things is a small group of them placed close together.
    She held a large cluster of grapes in her hand.
  • v. To combine is to join together to make a single thing or group.
    Mina combined peanut butter and jelly to make a sandwich.
  • adj. When a liquid is condensed, it is made thicker.
    One way to make a dessert thick and sweet is to use condensed milk.
  • adj. When something is contemporary, it is related to the present time.
    Contemporary scientists have learned quite a bit about DNA.
  • v. To cultivate plants is to care for them and help them grow.
    A research company is cultivating new kinds of rice to aid poor countries.
  • adj. When something is divine, it is related to gods.
    Legends say that music was given to humans as a divine gift from the gods.
  • adj. When it is humid, there is a lot of water in the air.
    It is very humid inside a sauna.
  • n. An odor is a very distinct smell.
    He knew there was a leak when he noticed the strong odor of natural gas.
  • n. The palate is the top part of the mouth.
    You can touch your palate with your tongue.
  • n. Paradise is the place or condition of happiness where things are perfect.
    My vacation in Hawaii was like being in paradise.
  • n. A plantation is a big farm that only grows certain kinds of crops.
    In the 1800s, there were many cotton plantations in the southern US.
  • adj. When something is rapid, it moves or changes very quickly.
    His mother was surprised by her son's rapid growth.
  • n. A rate is the speed at which something happens.
    Grass tends to grow at a very slow rate.
  • adj. When something is soothing, it makes you calm or relaxed.
    The soothing music helped the baby fall asleep.
  • adj. When something is subtle, it is not easy to see or notice.
    The handsome man has a subtle smile.
  • n. The texture of something is the way its surface looks and feels.
    The texture of a rock found in the water is typically very smooth.
  • adj. When something is toxic, it is poisonous and very dangerous.
    Please check the label to see if the product is toxic.
  • v. To vary means to be different from another thing in size or amount.
    The heights of the people in my class vary by a large amount.

 

Exercise

A ‣ Write the word that best fits each blank.

  1. rapid / rate
    The population growth in the city was incredibly _____. It is quite surprising that people settled there at such a fast _____.
  2. contemporary / vary
    Many _____ laws make it illegal for business to compete in unfair ways. However, the specific laws in different countries _____ greatly.
  3. humid / toxic
    Because it is quite _____ on the island, various kinds of plants grow well there. However, some of these plants are _____ to humans.
  4. texture / aroma
    The cheese has a smooth _____. However, some people find it hard to eat because _____ of its powerful.
  5. cluster / combined
    A _____ of people suggested that nearby cities could fight the invaders if they cooperated with each other. As a result, everyone _____ their efforts and defeated the invaders.
  6. soothing / subtle
    The artist uses _____ differences of color in her landscapes. This has an overall calming and _____ effect on the viewer.
  7. cultivated / odor
    A huge garden was _____ in the middle of the city. However, a species of rare plants gave off an unpleasant _____.
  8. beverage / palate
    During a four-course meal, one should drink something to clean the _____ between courses. The perfect _____ for this is, of course, water.
  9. condensed / divine
    I can explain the basic story in a simple, _____ way. A boy is given a _____ message, and he begins an exciting adventure.
  10. plantations / paradise
    The island of Oahu is not a natural _____ like Maui. However, tourists still have plenty to enjoy on Oahu, from visits to pineapple _____ to traditional celebrations.

 

B ‣ Match the phrases to make complete sentences.

  1. A soothing cup of tea _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  2. The odor of the cheese _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  3. The pot's texture _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  4. The chemical is toxic _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  5. The contemporary fiction class _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  6. The rate at which these flowers grew _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  7. My mother cultivates _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  8. The plantation had _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  9. The thick and humid forest _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull
  10. That cluster of stars in the sky makes _____.
    • a. was surprisingly fast
    • b. includes work from the 21st century
    • c. feels so smooth
    • d. covered almost a third of the country
    • e. was too strong to be enjoyable
    • f. several species of flowers as a hobby
    • g. to insects and small animals
    • h. twenty workers who grew cotton
    • i. is good for a sore throat
    • j. the shoulder of Taurus the Bull

 

C ‣ Match the clauses to make complete sentences.

  1. The scientists wanted to find a cure for the sickness, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  2. He offered to share his water, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  3. I prefer mocha to coffee _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  4. Many new jobs were created, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  5. The report was ten pages long, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  6. The doctor asked him to open his mouth, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  7. She walked in the door, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  8. Because the island is so warm and beautiful, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  9. Because patients' bodies are so different, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter
  10. It didn't rain all summer, _____.
    • a. so economic growth was rapid
    • b. and Jim thought it was a divine message
    • c. people call it a paradise
    • d. the effects of the medicine will vary
    • e. and she looked at his palate
    • f. and she smelled the aroma of cookies
    • g. so they combined the chemicals
    • h. because it has a subtle taste of chocolate
    • i. but I wanted my own beverage
    • j. but the condensed version was shorter

 

The History of Chocolate

Many people believe that chocolate originally came from Europe. However, chocolate, called the "food of the gods," was first made in the Americas. The first chocolate was very different from contemporary chocolate.

Wild chocolate trees can grow easily in the humid Amazon rainforest. Clusters of flowers growing on these trees turn to seeds. About 20 to 60 cacao beans can be found each seed. Cacao beans are the ingredient needed to create sweet, soothing, and delicious chocolate treats.

The Mayan and Aztec cultures both thought that chocolate trees were brought from paradise by gods. The Mayans and Aztecs used the beans from this divine tree to create a special beverage with a very pleasant odor. Surprisingly, the Aztecs believed that it was toxic to women and children.

In the 1500s, the Spanish explorer Cortes met the Aztecs. Cortes became quite interested in the plantations where the Aztecs cultivated chocolate trees. When he returned to Europe, he took cacao beans with him. He introduced the people of Spain to the Aztecs' chocolate beverage.

Over the next 100 years or so, kings, queens, and members of the upper class enjoyed drinking chocolate. They enjoyed it even more once they learned to add sugar to the beverage! Soon, chocolate had spread all across Europe. New machines allowed chocolate makers to perfect their products and produce them at a very rapid rate. Preparing the beans in special ways brought out the aroma of chocolate. The beans were combined with condensed milk to give the chocolate a smooth texture.

Today, contemporary chocolates with subtle flavors fill the shelves of chocolate shops. The different types of chocolate available today vary widely. True chocolate lovers can tell which is best, though. They will tell you that the flavor of high-quality chocolate stays on the palate long after you finish it.

 

Reading Comprehension

Part A: Mark each statement T for true or F for false. Rewrite the false statements to make them true.

  1. _____ Wild chocolate trees grow well in humid weather.
    __________
  2. _____ The Mayans and Aztecs said chocolate was a divine plant brought from paradise.
    __________
  3. _____ The Mayans cultivated chocolate trees on plantations.
    __________
  4. _____ Beans were combined with condensed milk to give chocolate a smooth texture.
    __________
  5. _____ The first chocolate beverages were made in Europe.
    __________
  6. _____ The different types of chocolate available today vary widely.
    __________

 

Part B: Answer the questions.

  1. What is the passage about?
    • a. Ways of preparing chocolate
    • b. Chocolate-making machines
    • c. Chocolate in Europe
    • d. Cacao plants
  2. According to the passage, how can you tell if chocolate is high-quality?
    _____
  3. Why are chocolate trees valuable to Mayans and Aztecs?
    _____

 

Answer Key

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