20091219 Is Organic Food Really Better (2)

Is Organic Food Really Better?

Conversation B

Beth: Well. Better safe than sorry. Organic farmers don't use any chemicals. They use manure and compost for fertilizer and crop rotation to keep the soil healthy. They let nature take care of the pests.

Adam: Be that as it may, I don't think you can taste a difference between organic and nonorganic produce though many people claim you can. Taste is subjective, so how do you know if organic food is really better?

Beth: Look at the facts, Adam, if pesticides and taste won't change your mind,
consider the environmental impact. Organic farmers use methods that conserve water and take care of the soil. They don't contaminate water sources like conventional farmers do.

Adam: That may be true, but organic farming has its faults too. For example, organic products are more likely to contain E.coli. These harmful bacteria can be found in the manure organic farmers use. And besides, organic food costs so much more!

Beth: That’s true, it is more expensive, but you get what you pay for. And other people think so too. They’re willing to pay the price to protect their bodies and the environment. For example, demand for organic dairy products has grown by 20 percent over the past few years. In the end, it depends on what you value most. No one can decide that but you.



rotate v. 輪流
rotation n. 輪流/循環/交替
eg: The discjockey put the new song into the song rotation and it became an immediate hit among listeners.
eg: crop rotation 農作物輪作耕種
eg: The job rotation system works really well in our company. Everyone get familiar with different job duties.
eg: the rotation of the earth 地球在自轉或公轉

objective adj. 客觀的
subjective adj. 主觀的/個人的
eg: As a movie critic, he is far too subjective. He needs to support his opinions with more facts.
eg: The report is mostly based on the student's subjective observation.
eg: As a critic, he tries his best to not be subjective.

contaminate v. 弄髒/污染/毒害
eg: Carbon dioxide from cars contaminates the air and contributes to pollution.
eg: The bacteria may have contaminated our water tank. Now we have to sterilize(消毒) it.
eg: The area was seriously contaminated by nuclear waste.

you get what you pay for 一分錢一分貨
Josh: I got this MP3 player for a really cheap price, but it broke the second day I had it.
Karen: Well, I guess you get what you pay for.




//== Chat Room ==//

besides 何況/況且
=> besides提出的論點要和前一句的論點相符
eg: Let's cancel the picnic because everyone is sick. Besides, the forecast calls for rain.

moreover 此外
=> 可以有自己的主張，要呼應前一句話

further
furthermore
additionally

What's more 何況
=> informal way to say besides

//== Grammar on the Go ==//

Be that as it may, I don't think you can taste a difference between organic and nonorganic produce though many people claim you can.
=> What you said may be true, but I don't think you can taste a difference between organic and nonorganic produce...

Be that as it may
=> it may be true but

eg: Be that as it may, we'd have to clean up the whole place afterwards.
eg: Be that as it may, you're at least getting paid and are able to pay your monthly bills.