Table of Contents
Many sushi restaurants use small plastic containers for soy sauce. Some of the containers look like fish. But now, people in South Australia have to stop using them.
A man in Japan made the first plastic fish container for soy sauce. It was in 1954. He called it the “Lunch Charm.” People around the world liked them.
The new law in South Australia started on September 1. The law says shops cannot use small plastic fish containers with soy sauce. The government wants sushi shops to use bigger bottles, not small plastic containers.
The small plastic fish are used once for a very short time. Then, people throw them away. The plastic containers are sometimes trash on streets and beaches.
A scientist said the plastic fish containers can hurt animals in the sea. Sea animals think it is food. Also, the plastic is strong, so it stays in nature for a long time.
Some people think the new law is good. They want governments to make more laws about plastic trash.
Vocabulary
- Plastic – A man-made material used for many things
- Container – Something that holds or stores items
- Charm – Something that is small and attractive; something small that people can hold and is cute
- Around the world – worldwide; in many places in the world; in many countries
- Law – a rule, regulation, or guideline set by the government
- Government – the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Once – one time;
- Throw away – To put something in the trash; to dispose of something
- Trash – garbage; waste; something you don’t want or need anymore and can’t be used
- Scientist – a person who studies science or the natural world; researcher; 👨🔬🥼🧪🔬
- Nature – The living world around us; The natural world, including plants, animals, and the environment
Discussion Questions
- Do you think it is a good idea to ban plastic fish containers? Why or why not?
- Would you prefer to use a large bottle of soy sauce or a small plastic container at a restaurant? Why?
- What are some other things that people use for only a short time and then throw away?
- What can people do to help keep streets and beaches clean from trash?
- Do you think governments should make more laws about plastic? Why or why not?
- Have you ever seen trash in nature that was a problem for animals?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
Many _____ restaurants use small plastic containers for soy _____. Some of the containers look like fish. But _____, people in South Australia have to stop using _____.
A man in Japan made the _____ plastic fish container for soy sauce. It was in _____. He called it the “Lunch Charm.” People around the _____ liked them.
The new law in South Australia _____ on September 1. The law says shops cannot use small plastic _____ containers with soy sauce. The government wants sushi shops to _____ bigger bottles, not small plastic containers.
The _____ plastic fish are used once for a very short time. Then, people throw _____ away. The plastic containers are sometimes trash _____ streets and beaches.
A scientist said the plastic _____ containers can hurt animals in the sea. _____ animals think it is food. Also, the plastic is _____, so it stays in nature for a long time.
_____ people think the new law is good. They _____ governments to make more laws about plastic _____.
