Writing. Compress the text using “TRACK & DICE” model given below T Task Make sure you understand the terms of reference

Compress the text using “TRACK & DICE” model given below

T	Task	Make sure you understand the terms of reference, the task you have been set.
R	Read	Read through the passage once to perceive the general drift. Then read it again more carefully.
A	Ask	Ask questions such as 'What is this about?’, 'What title could it be given?'
C	Clarify	Look at any difficult words or passages. Try to work out their meaning from the surrounding text
K	Key word and phrases	Which are the vital parts of the narrative? Where possible underline them. Use broken lines to show the secondary phrases, those you consider to be fairly important but not vital
D	Draft	Make a rough draft of your summary, using your own words to link up the elements.
I	Improve	Refer back to the instructions. Read the passage once more and make any necessary amendmen
C	Count	Is there a limit to the number of words you are allowed to use in your summary? How many words have you used? Add or subtract according to the degree of importance.
E	Edit	Read through the draft once more before editing and producing the summary in its final form.

It is interesting to know ….

• How well is food labelled in your country?

• What do you know about genetically modified (GM) food?

"Good evening, we'd like to talk to you about genetically modified crops"

*BACON on a bun with lettuce and tomato, please. But hold the human, scorpion and flounder bits...'Genetically engineered food is in every meal we eat. Unless you're a strictly organic vegetarian, you have already ingested vast quantities of ordinary staples {soya, potatoes, fruits and vegetables) juiced up with assorted viruses, bacteria and other toxins that have never been tested for long-term safety.

True, you're not actually chewing down on scorpions when some of their genetic material has been cleverly introduced into a vegetable. But wouldn't you like to have a choice?

When you peer at the fine print while trying to shop conscientiously, wouldn't you appreciate knowing that the No fat! condiment you're about to buy is loaded with extra sugar? Right now, the label doesn't have to breathe a word about any of the less desirable elements lurking in the food.

What a contrast to Britain, where a sizzling campaign by consumers has forced major grocery chains and packagers to renounce genetically modified (GM) foods entirely. Prompted by an outraged public, the European Union has already rejected genetically altered crops from North America and insisted on distinctive marking of GM packaged foods.

It's our turn now, if we care to take it. Maybe Canadians have finally learned we can't take public safety for granted.

Two new campaigns are under way: The Alliance for Food Label Reform is lobbying for compulsory nutrition labelling, and the Council of Canadians will soon begin a push to label all genetically altered foods. Both organizations have rafts of persuasive evidence.

The alliance points out that 86 to 90 per cent of Canadians consistently tell pollsters that they want clear nutritional labelling.

After all, our grocery ignorance is scary: In a recent national survey, 57 per cent said that, when an ingredient (like fat) was not listed on the package, that meant the ingredient wasn't there.

In the name of public health and disease prevention, the alliance wants easy-to-read listings on most foods. None of that should be too daunting for an industry that can tuck Mongolian fish genes into beets.

By itself, truth in packaging has a startling impact on what gets made and sold. The year after the U.S. began compulsory labelling, sales of high-fat ice cream went flat, and 1,500 reduced-fat products made their hasty debut.

The Council of Canadians, meanwhile, points out that every one of us is an unwitting subject in the mass testing of biotech foods.

Maybe GM foods will bring us enonnous health benefits in the future. And maybe not.

Right now, the government is reviewing its labelling policies, and already the big food companies are lobbying against any change.

If you beg to disagree, write to Health Minister Allan Rock and tell him you want mandatory labelling of all nutritional ingredients. Be more like the English: Make a food fuss.

(Toronto Star)