My 1,000
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My 1,000
Ideas
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Date: May 23, 2005

Level: Harder (Try the easier lesson.)

Downloads: Word Doc | PDF Doc | Listening

Audio: (1:29 - 175.4 KB - 16kbps)

THE ARTICLE

The Chinese government has banned restaurants from serving sushi and sashimi on the bodies of naked women. The Beijing Times reports that authorities issued the ban because the practice represented an insult to people’s “moral quality” and might encourage the development of an unsavory commercial culture. China’s Department of Commerce stated the practice was a violation of common decency as well as being unhygienic and an infringement of women’s rights. The ban also extends to the use of nude models in stores to promote business goods.

The new law is reportedly in response to complaints from residents in the city of Kunming, in southwest China. Citizens were offended that a restaurant served sushi on nude female university students. The restaurant had built up a large clientele: it charged $120 per meal and required reservations three days in advance. The owner and head chef claims he was promoting the traditional Japanese art of nyotaimori, which uses a woman’s naked body as a serving platter. There are no reports of whether nantaimori, eating from men’s bodies, is included in the recent ban.

WARM-UPS

1. HEADLINE: In pairs / groups, make your own news report from the words “naked”, “sushi” and “China”. Develop the story, complete with characters and facts, and tell it to another partner / group. Decide whose story is the best, funniest, strangest, most probable, etc.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics are most interesting and which are most boring.

Restaurants / sushi / sashimi / nudity / morality / common decency / women’s rights / hygiene / culinary arts

Have a chat about the topics you liked. For more conversation, change topics and partners frequently.

3. SUSHI: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with sushi. Share your words with your partner / group and talk about them.

4. “NAKED SUSHI” OPINIONS: In pairs / groups, decide which of these opinion you agree with. Discuss how much truth there is in each one.

  1. The Chinese government is totally correct to outlaw this offensive practice.
  2. Only perverts would want to eat sushi from a naked body.
  3. This is a centuries-old practice and should be preserved.
  4. The restaurant was providing a service for paying customers.
  5. If the Chinese government is serious, it should also ban pornography.
  6. The Chinese government just wants to look good before the 2008 Olympics.
  7. I feel sorry for the university students who lost their jobs.
  8. The practice is totally degrading to women.
  9. I don’t get the point of eating sushi in this way.

5. COMMON DECENCY: What other practices involving the exposing of a woman’s (or man’s) body (in part or whole) do you think should be banned? Which items from this list would you ban and why?

  • Nudist beaches
  • Models in swimsuits at trade shows
  • Pornographic magazines and videos
  • Cheerleaders in skimpy uniforms
  • Striptease performers
  • Sexually suggestive music videos
  • TV advertising
  • Beauty pageants

 
 

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Look at the article’s headline and guess whether these sentences are true (T) or false (F):

a.

Fish in China can no longer be served raw.

T / F

b.

People can no longer eat sushi from naked women’s bodies.

T / F

c.

Authorities said “naked sushi” was a violation of common decency.

T / F

d.

Naked hamburger restaurants have also been banned.

T / F

e.

Offended customers complained about naked women in a restaurant.

T / F

f.

The “naked sushi” cost $120 per meal.

T / F

g.

The “naked sushi” restaurant wasn’t very popular.

T / F

h.

The sushi restaurant owner wanted to promote Japanese culture.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

a.

insult

transgression

b.

unsavory

following

c.

violation

remonstrations

d.

decency

distasteful

e.

infringement

pushing

f.

complaints

affront

g.

offended

propriety

h.

clientele

indications

i.

promoting

disregard

j.

reports

repulsed

3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article (sometimes more than one combination is possible):

a.

authorities issued

a large clientele

b.

the practice represented

decency

c.

a violation of common

an insult

d.

an infringement

in response to

e.

The ban also extends

art

f.

reportedly

three days in advance

g.

built up

to the use of nude models

h.

required reservations

of women’s rights

i.

culinary

recent ban

j.

included in the

the ban

WHILE READING / LISTENING

WHICH WORD? Circle the word that is correct from the pairs in italics.

“Naked sushi” banned in China

The Chinese government has binned / banned restaurants from serving sushi and sashimi on the bodies of naked women. The “Beijing Times” reports that authorities / authorization issued the ban because the practice / attempt represented an insult to people’s “moral quality” and might discourage / encourage the development of an unsavory / unsalted commercial culture. China’s Department of Commerce stated the practice was a violation of common / popular decency as well as being unhygienic and an infringement / inflammation of women’s rights. The ban also extends / extremes to the use of nude models in stores to promote business goods.

The new law is reportedly / reporting in response to compliance / complaints from residents in the city of Kunming, in southwest China. Citizens were offended / offensive that a restaurant served sushi on nude female university students. The restaurant had constructed / built up a large client / clientele: it charged $120 per meal and required reservations three days in advance / future. The owner and head chef claims he was promoting / prompting the traditional Japanese art of “nyotaimori”, which uses a woman’s naked body as a serving platter. There are no reports of whether “nantaimori”, eating from men’s bodies, is included in the recent / resent ban.


 
 

AFTER READING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionaries / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words ‘moral’ and ‘quality’.

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. WHICH WORD?: In pairs / groups, compare and talk about your answers to this exercise. After you agree, check your answers against the text. What is the connection between the words in italics?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. STUDENT NUDITY SURVEY: In pairs / groups write down questions about nudity and morality.

  • Ask other classmates your questions and note down their answers.
  • Go back to your original partner / group and compare your findings.
  • Make a mini-presentation to another group / the class on your findings.

6. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall exactly how these were used in the text:

  • serving
  • Beijing Times
  • insult
  • unsavory
  • decency
  • infringement
  • reportedly
  • offended
  • clientele
  • advance
  • art
  • men’s bodies

 DISCUSSION

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

  1. What was your initial reaction to this headline?
  2. Did the headline spark your interest in reading the article?
  3. Do you like sushi and sashimi?
  4. What is the strangest restaurant you’ve eaten in?
  5. Would you like to eat in a “naked sushi” restaurant?
  6. Would such a restaurant be popular in your country?
  7. How are public displays of nudity viewed in your country?
  8. Would you like to see a restriction on public nudity in your country?
  9. Would you consider becoming a “naked sushi” worker if the money was right?
  10. What do you think about nude models (either sex) in stores?

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

  1. Did you like reading the article?
  2. What did you think of this news?
  3. What do you think of the Chinese government’s actions?
  4. Is this practice degrading to women?
  5. Is this practice degrading to women if the customers are female?
  6. Is this practice degrading to women if the nude female employee takes pride in her job?
  7. Would the restaurant be more or less shocking if naked men were used to serve food on?
  8. Do you think it’s an “art” to serve raw fish on someone’s naked body?
  9. Do you think the Chinese government should concentrate on bigger issues concerning women’s rights?
  10. Did you like this discussion?

AFTER DISCUSSION: Join another partner / group and tell them what you talked about.

  1. What question would you like to ask about this topic?
  2. What was the most interesting thing you heard?
  3. Was there a question you didn’t like?
  4. Was there something you totally disagreed with?
  5. What did you like talking about?
  6. Do you want to know how anyone else answered the questions?
  7. Which was the most difficult question?

SPEAKING 1

ROLE PLAY: This role play is to discuss whether or not the “naked sushi” restaurant should have been banned. Team up with classmates who have been assigned the same role to develop your roles and discuss ideas and “strategies” before the role play begins.

Introduce yourself to the other role players before the role play begins.

Role A

You are the restaurant owner. You studied the ancient art of “naked sushi” for 25 years. There is nothing “unsavory” about the practice or your restaurant. Your clientele are highly sophisticated. Your female employees love their jobs and are well paid.
 

Role B

You are a top official in China’s Department of Commerce. You need to clean up anything that might damage China’s image before the 2008 Olympics. You must adopt a zero tolerance approach to nudity in any form. You also passionately believe “naked sushi” restaurants are highly degrading to women.
 

Role C

You are a university student working in the “naked sushi” restaurant. You love your job. You feel there is nothing to be ashamed of. You need the money for your studies. You are proud to do this job. You absolutely do not accept the “infringement of women’s rights” argument.
 

Role D

You are an established customer at the restaurant. You are angry with the new law. You believe the restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience unavailable elsewhere. You think it is hypocritical that this one restaurant has been shut while prostitution and other unsavory practices are common in your society.
 

Role E

You are a local resident. You live next to the restaurant. The value of your house has decreased because of the restaurant. There are always strange men outside the restaurant. You have an 18-year-old daughter. You have heard reports that the restaurant owner is running a prostitution ring.

Change roles and repeat the role play. Comment in groups about the differences between the two role plays.

SPEAKING 2

PUBLIC NUDITY: You are in charge of the “moral well being” of your country. In pairs / groups, create a set of guidelines governing nakedness or semi-nakedness in public. Make rules that govern the following areas:

AREA

RULE

Nudist beaches

 

Models in swimsuits at trade shows

 

Pornographic magazines and
videos

 

Cheerleaders in skimpy uniforms

 

Striptease performers

 

Sexually suggestive music videos

 

TV advertising

 

Beauty pageants

 

Show your guidelines to your classmates. Compare who has the strictest rules

LANGUAGE

“UN-”: In the text you will find the words  “unhygienic” and “unsavory”, Match these other words prefixed by “un” with their correct meanings.

1.

unsporting

(a)

Being inflexible; not willing to change your mind about anything.

2.

unsurpassed

(b)

A potential resource or talent not being utilized.

3.

unyielding

(c)

Not exhibiting the behavior or manner that is considered appropriate for a woman.

4.

uncustomary

(d)

Going against accepted standards of fairness and behavior.

5.

unspeakable

(e)

Not at all embarrassed; remaining dignified in embarrassing situations.

6.

unrelenting

(f)

Odorless; without a smell.

7.

unabashed

(g)

Unusual; something that is not commonly practiced.

8.

unladylike

(h)

Impossible to be better or be improved on.

9.

unscented

(i)

Being totally determined to do something; not willing to relax any intensity or effort.

10.

untapped

(j)

So bad that it cannot be described; beyond words.

Try to make one question for each of the “un-“ words and ask your questions to your partner(s).

LISTENING

Listen and fill in the spaces.

“Naked sushi” banned in China

The Chinese government has banned restaurants
____ _____ _____ ____ _____ on the bodies of naked women. The Beijing Times reports that authorities issued the ban because the practice represented an insult __ ________ “_____ _______” and might encourage the development __ __ ________ commercial culture. China’s Department of Commerce stated the practice was a violation of common decency as well as being unhygienic and
__ _____________ __ women’s rights. The ban also extends to the ___ __ _____ _______ to promote business goods.

The new law is _________ __ ________ __ complaints from residents in the city of Kunming, in southwest China.
_______ ____ _______ _____ a restaurant served sushi on nude female university students. The restaurant ___ _____ __ __ _____ clientele: it charged $120 per meal and required reservations three days in advance. The owner and head chef claims he was promoting ___ _________ _________ ____ of nyotaimori, which uses a woman’s naked body as a serving platter. There are no reports of whether nantaimori, eating from men’s bodies, is included in the recent ban.

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find information on sushi. Share your findings with your class in the next lesson.

3. COMMON DECENCY: Write a list of the things (at least five) that you think are wrong with the “moral quality” of your society. Explain what needs to be done to improve the state of affairs of all items on your list. Show your lists to your classmates in the next lesson. Compare how you view your own cultures.

4. LETTER: Write a letter to the Chinese Department of Commerce. Explain what you think about its recent decision to ban the “naked sushi” restaurant. Show your letter to your classmates in the next lesson. Compare the things you wrote about.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE:

a. F

b. T

c. T

d. F

e. T

f. T

g. F

h. T

SYNONYM MATCH:

a.

insult

affront

b.

unsavory

distasteful

c.

violation

transgression / disregard

d.

decency

propriety

e.

infringement

disregard / transgression

f.

complaints

remonstrations

g.

offended

repulsed

h.

clientele

following

i.

promoting

pushing

j.

reports

indications

PHRASE MATCH:

a.

authorities issued

the ban

b.

the practice represented

an insult

c.

a violation of common

decency

d.

an infringement

of women’s rights

e.

The ban also extends

to the use of nude models

f.

reportedly

in response to

g.

built up

a large clientele

h.

required reservations

three days in advance

i.

culinary

art

j.

included in the

recent ban

WHICH WORD?

“Naked sushi” banned in China

The Chinese government has banned restaurants from serving sushi and sashimi on the bodies of naked women. The “Beijing Times” reports that authorities issued the ban because the practice represented an insult to people’s “moral quality” and might encourage the development of an unsavory commercial culture. China’s Department of Commerce stated the practice was a violation of common decency as well as being unhygienic and an infringement of women’s rights. The ban also extends to the use of nude models in stores to promote business goods.

The new law is reportedly in response to complaints from residents in the city of Kunming, in southwest China. Citizens were offended that a restaurant served sushi on nude female university students. The restaurant had built up a large clientele: it charged $120 per meal and required reservations three days in advance. The owner and head chef claims he was promoting the traditional Japanese art of nyotaimori, which uses a woman’s naked body as a serving platter. There are no reports of whether “nantaimori”, eating from men’s bodies, is included in the recent ban.

LANGUAGE:

1. (d)

2. (h)

3. (a)

4. (g)

5. (j)

6. (i)

7. (e)

8. (c)

9. (f)

10. (b)

 

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