Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. pull the plug on (something)
    • ex. The company pulled the plug on the new project because of budget issues.
  2. receptive
    • ex. The teacher is receptive to questions from students. She encourages them to ask more questions.
  3. permanent
    • ex. Gian got a permanent tattoo on his arm to remember his trip to Bali.
  4. keep an eye on (someone/something)
    • ex. Please keep an eye on the sales numbers this week.
  5. optimistic
    • ex. The company is optimistic that its new product will have high sales.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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In the United States, fast-food restaurants are not sure about whether Americans want plant-based food on their menu. In July, Panda Express announced it would bring back its plant-based chicken to hundreds of its US stores for a limited time. However, McDonald’s revealed it has pulled the plug on the McPlant, its plant-based burger, in the U.S.

McDonald’s president Joe Erlinger said that the company tested the McPlant at US stores in 2022, but it was not successful. However, consumers in Europe are much more receptive to McDonald’s plant-based products. The McPlant and plant-based McNuggets are now permanent menu items in the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, and others. Erlinger said McDonald’s will keep an eye on plant-based trends, but it will focus on chicken in the U.S. for now.

Unlike McDonald’s, Panda Express is optimistic about plant-based meat. It first tested its plant-based chicken in the U.S. in 2022 for a limited time. Many people on social media have asked the company to bring it back. That’s why Panda Express said it might offer more plant-based food if customers keep liking and asking for it.

 This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Plant-based Food

  • Do you think fast-food restaurants should offer more plant-based food? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • McDonald's says it will keep an eye on plant-based trends but prefers to focus on chicken in the U.S. for now. Do you think this is a wise decision for McDonald’s? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Panda Express is optimistic about plant-based meat. Why do you think this is so? Discuss.

Consumer Preferences

  • As a consumer, what types of food do you always look for when eating at a restaurant (ex. healthy options, cheap prices)? Discuss.
  • Panda Express said it might offer more plant-based food if customers keep liking and asking for it. In your opinion, how important is it for every company to listen to their customers’ preferences? Discuss.
  • In your opinion, how receptive to plant-based food would people in your area be (ex. many will buy it, few people will like it)? Discuss.