Advanced ⅼArticle Discussion Lesson 25 _LEVEL9_
Lesson 25: Taste Buds
Hi! Welcome to the Article Discussion lesson!
Today’s topic is about “Taste Buds.”
Have fun learning English!
Activity 1 | Vocabulary and Expressions
Directions: Listen and repeat.
Vocabulary
 receptor - a sense organ or nerve ending in the body that reacts to changes such as heat or cold and
makes the body react in a particular way
 perception - the way you notice things, especially with the senses
 derive - come from or develop from something
 component - one of the several parts of which something is made
 regard – to think about someone or something in a particular way
 loanword - a word from another language, used in its original form
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Advanced ⅼArticle Discussion Lesson 25 _LEVEL9_
Activity 2 | Article
Directions: Read the article aloud with your teacher.
Taste Buds
Taste buds contain taste receptors which are located in the small structures on the upper surface of the
tongue, soft palate, upper esophagus, and epiglottis, which are called papillae. These structures are
responsible for detecting the five (known) elements of taste perception: salty, sour, bitter, sweet, and
umami.
Saltiness is a taste produced principally by the presence of sodium ions. Everyone who has experienced
swimming in the sea and tasted the water has a notion of a salty taste. Predominantly derived from
seawater, most salts constitute an indispensable part of gastronomy around the globe.
Sour taste is usually linked to acidity. Some fruits, such as lemons, taste sour because of the presence of
acid in them. The level of sourness is largely reliant on the quantity of acid components. This taste is not
categorized as a pleasant one, and most people’s faces are involuntarily distorted simply by thinking about
something sour.
Sweetness is usually regarded as a pleasurable sensation; it is produced by the presence of sugars and a
few other substances. Common sweet foods are candies, cakes, chocolates, and the like. This taste is the
most appealing amongst all tastes, because of its palatable effects on the tongue.
Umami is a loanword from the Japanese which can be translated as "pleasant savory taste." In many
cultures, it is difficult to define and describe it. It corresponds to the flavor of glutamates, especially
monosodium glutamate.
The most unpleasant taste of all is bitterness. Bitterness is the most sensitive of the tastes, and many
perceive it as unpleasant, sharp, or disagreeable. However, it is sometimes desirable and deliberately added
via various bittering agents. Common bitter foods and beverages include coffee and unsweetened cocoa.
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Advanced ⅼArticle Discussion Lesson 25 _LEVEL9_
Activity 3 | Question and Answer
Directions: Answer these questions about the article.
1. What are taste buds?
2. “These structures are involved in detecting the five (known) elements of taste perception: salty, sour,
bitter, sweet and umami.” Why do you think the author of the text used the word “known?”
3. Can you name at least one food item for each category?
4. Which taste are the taste buds most sensitive to?
5. How do people perceive pleasurable taste?
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Advanced ⅼArticle Discussion Lesson 25 _LEVEL9_
Activity 4 | Summary
Directions: Make a summary of this article, focusing on the main topic. After that, your teacher will give you
an example of the summary.
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Advanced ⅼArticle Discussion Lesson 25 _LEVEL9_
Activity 5 | Thoughts
Directions: Check the following quote and share your opinion with your teacher:
“There is no such thing as a bad beer. It's that some taste better than others.”
1. What do you think about this quote? Do you agree with the writer’s opinion? Why?
2. If you could rephrase this sentence, which word would you use instead of “beer?”
3. Are people who have a passion for food more demanding than others, or vice versa?
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Copyright © since 2013 Engoo All Rights Reserved.
Advanced ⅼArticle Discussion Lesson 25 _LEVEL9_
Activity 6 | Free Conversation
Directions: Answer these questions related to the topic of the article. Have a free conversation about it with
your teacher.
1. What is your favorite taste?
2. What taste do you dislike?
3. What taste can increase your appetite?
4. Do you have a sweet tooth?
5. What do you think would happen if we didn’t have taste buds?
6. Do you think man’s palate can, in time, become accustomed to anything? Why do you think so?
7. How can we define good taste? Is such a thing possible?
8. “Ah, good taste! What a dreadful thing! Taste is the enemy of creativeness.” How do you understand this
quote? Do you agree with the writer’s opinion?
9. Why do you think we have different cuisines? If we have same taste buds, isn’t it logical to have the same
taste? Why?
10. Fast food is becoming increasingly popular. What do you think is the reason? Have you ever heard of
additives? What kind of effect do they have on taste buds?
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