Listening Comprehension

Super-Size Me Film

By Jerilyn Watson

American Mosaic, Voice of America, July 14, 2003

About 450 words. Listen to the reduced speed audio (4:42)

On our show this week: Summer camps for adults, and a question about the musical life of Leonard Bernstein. But first, we have the story of a man who (1) __________ no one should (2) __________.

Photo: Justyna Furmanczyk. www.sxc.hu

HOST: What would it be like to eat fast food for every meal? A young filmmaker decided to find out. His new movie is called “Super Size Me.” Shep O’Neal tells us about it.

ANNCR: Health experts are concerned that two out of three American adults are (3) __________. There has been an increase in diseases linked to (4) __________. Many Americans eat foods that have too much fat and sugar. And they do not exercise enough. Reports say that at least twenty-five percent of American adults eat fast food every day. And McDonald’s is the largest fast food company in the world.

So filmmaker Morgan Spurlock wanted to find out the effects of eating nothing but fast food at McDonald’s three times a day for a month. He followed three rules. He could only eat what was sold at McDonald’s. He had to eat every food at least once. And he would order the largest size French fries and soft drink only if the server offered.

McDonald’s called these foods “supersize.” That is why Mister Spurlock named the movie “Super Size Me.”

Three doctors and a (5) __________ expert examined Mister Spurlock before, during and after his eating experiment. They did many tests of his blood and the workings of his major (6) __________. At the beginning, he was in excellent physical condition. He traveled to several American cities and many McDonald’s restaurants. He ate Egg McMuffins, Big Mac hamburger sandwiches, Chicken McNuggets, French fries, (7) __________ and other foods every day. And he did not exercise.

The doctors became very concerned about Mister Spurlock’s health. At the end of the month, he had (8) __________ more than eleven kilograms. His blood pressure increased. The cholesterol in his blood was too high. And his liver was (9) __________ from eating too many fatty foods.

Mister Spurlock’s film also appears to have had an effect on McDonald’s. The movie won an award for directing at the Sundance Film Festival in January.

Photo: VOA

Less than two months later, McDonald’s said it would stop selling supersize meals. Recently, it started selling special Happy Meals for adults. These include a salad, bottled water and a (10) __________ for measuring how far a person walks.

McDonald’s also issued a statement about “Super Size Me.” It said the movie is about one person’s decision to act (11) __________ by eating too many calories a day and limiting physical activity. It said McDonald’s offers many kinds of high-quality food choices. It also said McDonald’s is working with experts on nutrition and (12) __________.

7. Group Project: Pitching Your Own Documentary

Can one person or one film make a difference? Spurlock has basically made a one-man-film. He conducts an experiment on himself and monitors the results. And yet this small project got the attention of the McDonald’s corporation and influenced them enough to change the way they think about their product.

In a group, you are going to design your own documentary film. You will need time to brainstorm ideas. You want a project like Spurlock’s—though less dangerous—that could be filmed very cheaply within your own city or community. Find a project that is intended to open people’s eyes about some local problem.

You don’t need to actually make the film for this class. But you need to pitch it to the rest of the class. Prospective filmmakers make a pitch when they want to convince people that their project is worthwhile and exciting. So, in your pitch you will do just that. It needs to be specific. Detail what the project is, how the film might change people’s opinions on the subject, why people would want to watch it.

Be as detailed as possible. For instance, if you plan on interviews, say whom you plan to interview.

Your pitch should be less than 5 minutes, but allow time for questions.

The group can also make a poster advertising their film to put on the walls of the classroom.

Chocolate—cut down or eat more? Photo: VOA