History and Health Benefits of Chocolate
History and Health Benefits of Chocolate
Información
Reading 2
For this exercise there are 2 texts. Each text has 2 tasks.
The quiz has a time limit of 1 hour.
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Información
Text 1: Read the text and answer the questions in Tasks A and B, which are based
on it.
Task A: (2.5 points) Choose the correct option (a, b or c) according to the text.
Example
0. (Para. 1) According to the text, the Aztecs used chocolate
a) only for medicinal purposes.
b) for several different reasons.
c) to mark special occasions.
In paragraph 1, the text says “To the indigenous Aztec people, cocoa was consumed as
a drink and held great cultural and medicinal significance.”
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Pregunta 1 (Para. 3 & 4) When Spanish explorers tasted “chikolatl” for the first time in the 16th
Correcta century, they
Se puntúa 0,50
Seleccione una:
sobre 0,50
didn’t find it pleasant but thought it was an interesting discovery.
In paragraph 3, the text says “The first exposure to the drink was not a favourable
experience for the Spaniards – deeming it too bitter and almost unpalatable. But
having seen Montezuma II, king of the Aztecs, consume the drink around 50 times
a day, Cortes was interested in the potential of cocoa and sought to bring it back to
Spain following his conquest.”
learnt from the Aztecs how to roast it using honey and sugar.
only a few people started to consume it. In paragraph 4, the text says
“Once in Europe cocoa beans were crushed and mixed with honey and sugar,
becoming a popular drink among the elite.”
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can be helpful for regulating blood pressure. In paragraph 6, the text says
“Research has found that dark chocolate and cocoa products containing at least
200mg of cocoa flavanols can improve blood vessels' elasticity, which helps with
blood flow. And regularly consuming cocoa flavanols – even doses of 80mg a day
– improves blood vessels’ ability to dilate or expand, which helps the body regulate
blood pressure and blood flow to organs.”
can help improve academic results. In paragraph 7, the text says “Cocoa
flavanols can also increase blood flow to the brain, which may improve cognitive
performance.”
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Información
Now do Task B below, which is based on the same text.
A brief history of chocolate – and some of its surprising health benefits
1. Chocolate in all its forms is something that I, along with many others like to indulge in
on an almost daily basis. But chocolate as it’s enjoyed today is quite different from when
it first arrived in Europe from South America around the 16th century. To the indigenous
Aztec people, cocoa was consumed as a drink and held great cultural and medicinal
significance. It was almost viewed as a panacea that could cure various ailments,
including fever, diarrhoea, fatigue, angina and tooth decay. The Aztec belief that cocoa
was a divine elixir was probably due to the notion that it was a gift from Quetzalcoatl, the
Aztec god of wind and wisdom. Perhaps this is why Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus
named the plant Theobroma cacao, from the ancient Greek words “theos” meaning god
and “broma” meaning food – “food of the gods”.
2. It’s more likely though that the reason for any potential benefits is due to the high
concentration of polyphenols found in natural cocoa – known as cocoa flavanols.
Polyphenols are antioxidant compounds in fruit and vegetables that protect the body
from free radicals, which in excess have been linked to various diseases. So while
cocoa may not be the cure-all it was once believed to be, research shows it’s more than
just a guilty pleasure.
A rich past
3. The person thought to be responsible for beginning the integration of cocoa into
Europe was Hernan Cortes, a Spanish conquistador (soldier and explorer) following his
return from the “New World”. In 1518, Cortes and his men arrived in what is now Mexico
and headed towards the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan. During their time in Mexico, the
Spaniards tasted a bitter drink known as “chikolatl”. The drink contained roasted cocoa
beans that were crushed, then boiled in water with spices and chilli.
4. The first exposure to the drink was not a favourable experience for the Spaniards –
deeming it too bitter and almost unpalatable. But having seen Montezuma II, king of the
Aztecs, consume the drink around 50 times a day, Cortes was interested in the potential
of cocoa and sought to bring it back to Spain following his conquest. Once in Europe
cocoa beans were crushed and mixed with honey and sugar, becoming a popular drink
among the elite. Eventually, in the 19th century, the first chocolate bar was made by
Joseph Fry and Sons, creating what we know as chocolate today.
From bean to bar
5. While cocoa beans in their natural form contain a high amount of antioxidant
compounds, the processes involved in turning beans into a bar reduces the cocoa
flavanol content, lowering the antioxidant properties of the cocoa. Indeed, research
shows that natural cocoa powder contains almost ten times more flavanols than cocoa
that has been through this process. As for chocolate bars, dark chocolate almost always
contains a higher concentration of flavanols than milk chocolate. For example, a 25g
serving of high percentage (more than 75%) dark chocolate can contain more than
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80mg cocoa flavanols compared with around 10mg or lower per 25g for a milk chocolate
bar.
Health benefits
6. Research has found that dark chocolate and cocoa products containing at least
200mg of cocoa flavanols can improve blood vessels' elasticity, which helps with blood
flow. And regularly consuming cocoa flavanols – even doses of 80mg a day – improves
blood vessels’ ability to dilate or expand, which helps the body regulate blood pressure
and blood flow to organs. This is thought to be because cocoa flavanols increase the
concentration of bioactive nitric oxide. This is a molecule involved in the widening of
blood vessels that also has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces the formation of
blood clots, all of which can have beneficial effects on blood pressure.
7. Cocoa flavanols can also increase blood flow to the brain, which may improve
cognitive performance. And they may help to reduce cognitive decline by protecting the
brain from free radical damage. Alongside cardiovascular and cognitive benefits, cocoa
flavanols may also help improve muscle recovery following strenuous exercise, thanks
to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. A recent study found that a
single high dose of 1245mg cocoa flavanols (15g of a high flavanol cocoa powder)
slightly improved muscle recovery. So next time you are in the mood for some
chocolate, perhaps select a high percentage dark variety or a natural cocoa powder for
any potential health benefits.
Adapted from: https://theconversation.com/a-brief-history-of-chocolate-and-some-of-its-
surprising-health-benefits-142692
Task B: (2.5 points) Find words in the text with the same meaning.
Example
0. importance Answer: significance
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Información
Text 2: Read the text and answer the questions in Tasks C and D, which are based
on it.
Why Throat Singer Shina Novalinga is Sharing Her Inuit Culture on TikTok
*Puvirnituq, Nunavik = a town in Northern Canada
totem pole
1. For as long as she can remember, 22-year-old Shina Novalinga has been surrounded
by throat singing. Her mother, Caroline, is a professional throat singer who learned from
Inuk elders in their hometown of Puvirnituq, Nunavik*. When Novalinga was seven,
Caroline began passing on the tradition – teaching her how to perform the musical and
playful “game” between two singers who stand face to face and use breath and guttural
sounds to create a rhythm.
2. Last spring, on a whim, Novalinga uploaded a throat singing video that she and her
mom had recorded on TikTok. The video quickly went viral, with millions tuning in to
watch the duo make rhythms inspired by the sounds of wind and wildlife. Since then,
Novalinga has shared more than 100 videos, highlighting other aspects of her culture,
like food and fashion, too. We caught up with Novalinga to chat about using social
media to share her heritage, the community she’s building online and what her travels
have taught her.
3. ENROUTE (ER) You shared your first TikTok video last April – now each one is
seen by millions. What’s it been like to grow a community there?
SHINA NOVALINGA (SN) I’ve received so much positive feedback from around the
world. What’s really touched my mother and I are the responses from people who have
said that our throat singing has helped them cope with anxiety or calmed them down.
And even though we don’t have the same background, my videos help people embrace
who they are, and make them want to learn more about their own cultures. I’ve also
been connecting with other Indigenous creators like James Jones, Michelle Chubb and
Tia Wood – we’re building this beautiful community where we support and learn from
each other.
4. ER Inuit throat singing was nearly lost in Canada after Christian missionaries
banned it in the early 20th century. What does it mean to you to be able to reclaim
throat singing in this way?
SN It means so much because there aren’t many women who know how to throat sing,
but my mother is one of them. She learned directly from a professional, an elder,
someone who kept the culture alive and passed it down to younger generations. And
now, to put it on social media, I feel like our voices – mine, my mother’s and our
people’s – are finally being heard. We want to throat sing for those who couldn’t.
5. ER Have you discovered other forms of throat singing on TikTok?
SN I knew there were regional styles of throat singing, but I’ve learned more about them
through social media. My mother and I were surprised to hear different versions of
songs like “The Little Puppy” and “The Love Song.” We’ve connected with throat singers
from Mongolia, Arctic Siberia, Alaska, Nunavut and Nunavik who make different sounds
as well. We all hope to meet one day.
6. ER What’s one of your favourite travel experiences where you learned a lot
about another culture?
SN I went to Mongolia a couple years ago. We weren’t just in the capital city,
Ulaanbaatar – we went three hours into the countryside and truly experienced the
culture. My friend told me that Mongolians kiss with their noses the same as we do. So, I
asked a Mongolian family we visited to show me. I was surprised that we had that in
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common, when we’re from another part of the world. I’ve noticed that with many different
cultures, though: We share the same history and even some of the same practices.
That’s what I take from all of my trips. It’s beautiful to learn from each other and to
accept each other’s differences, not to judge and to be appreciative of all the cultures in
the world.
Source: https://enroute.aircanada.com/en/interviews/shina-novalinga/
Task C: (2.5 points) Choose the correct option according to the text.
Pregunta 17 (Para. 2) After posting a video on TikTok of herself and her mother, Shina
Correcta
Seleccione una:
Se puntúa 0,50
sobre 0,50 became an online sensation. In paragraph 2, the text says “Last spring, on
a whim, Novalinga uploaded a throat singing video that she and her mom had
recorded on TikTok. The video quickly went viral…”
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Pregunta 18 (Para. 3) The response to Shina’s videos has inspired her because
Correcta
Seleccione una:
Se puntúa 0,50
sobre 0,50 viewers want to find out about Inuit culture.
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Información
Text 2: Read the text and answer the questions in Tasks C and D, which are based
on it.
Why Throat Singer Shina Novalinga is Sharing Her Inuit Culture on TikTok
*Puvirnituq, Nunavik = a town in Northern Canada
1. For as long as she can remember, 22-year-old Shina Novalinga has been surrounded
by throat singing. Her mother, Caroline, is a professional throat singer who learned from
Inuk elders in their hometown of Puvirnituq, Nunavik*. When Novalinga was seven,
Caroline began passing on the tradition – teaching her how to perform the musical and
playful “game” between two singers who stand face to face and use breath and guttural
sounds to create a rhythm.
2. Last spring, on a whim, Novalinga uploaded a throat singing video that she and her
mom had recorded on TikTok. The video quickly went viral, with millions tuning in to
watch the duo make rhythms inspired by the sounds of wind and wildlife. Since then,
Novalinga has shared more than 100 videos, highlighting other aspects of her culture,
like food and fashion, too. We caught up with Novalinga to chat about using social
media to share her heritage, the community she’s building online and what her travels
have taught her.
3. ENROUTE (ER) You shared your first TikTok video last April – now each one is
seen by millions. What’s it been like to grow a community there?
SHINA NOVALINGA (SN) I’ve received so much positive feedback from around the
world. What’s really touched my mother and I are the responses from people who have
said that our throat singing has helped them cope with anxiety or calmed them down.
And even though we don’t have the same background, my videos help people embrace
who they are, and make them want to learn more about their own cultures. I’ve also
been connecting with other Indigenous creators like James Jones, Michelle Chubb and
Tia Wood – we’re building this beautiful community where we support and learn from
each other.
4. ER Inuit throat singing was nearly lost in Canada after Christian missionaries
banned it in the early 20th century. What does it mean to you to be able to reclaim
throat singing in this way?
SN It means so much because there aren’t many women who know how to throat sing,
but my mother is one of them. She learned directly from a professional, an elder,
someone who kept the culture alive and passed it down to younger generations. And
now, to put it on social media, I feel like our voices – mine, my mother’s and our
people’s – are finally being heard. We want to throat sing for those who couldn’t.
5. ER Have you discovered other forms of throat singing on TikTok?
SN I knew there were regional styles of throat singing, but I’ve learned more about them
through social media. My mother and I were surprised to hear different versions of
songs like “The Little Puppy” and “The Love Song.” We’ve connected with throat singers
from Mongolia, Arctic Siberia, Alaska, Nunavut and Nunavik who make different sounds
13 de 16 03/05/2023, 11:34
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as well. We all hope to meet one day.
6. ER What’s one of your favourite travel experiences where you learned a lot
about another culture?
SN I went to Mongolia a couple years ago. We weren’t just in the capital city,
Ulaanbaatar – we went three hours into the countryside and truly experienced the
culture. My friend told me that Mongolians kiss with their noses the same as we do. So, I
asked a Mongolian family we visited to show me. I was surprised that we had that in
common, when we’re from another part of the world. I’ve noticed that with many different
cultures, though: We share the same history and even some of the same practices.
That’s what I take from all of my trips. It’s beautiful to learn from each other and to
accept each other’s differences, not to judge and to be appreciative of all the cultures in
the world.
Source: https://enroute.aircanada.com/en/interviews/shina-novalinga/
Task D: (2.5 points) Find words in the text with the same meaning.
Example:
0. (Para. 1) senior community members Answer: elders
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