Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some engaging questions to connect your everyday life to the subject of Snickers candy bars. Please consider the following:
- What is your favorite type of candy bar, and why do you enjoy it?
- Have you ever wondered how your favorite candy bar is made?
- Do you have a favorite memory associated with eating a Snickers bar?
- How do you think the production of candy bars like Snickers contributes to the economy and job market?
- What do you think are the most important factors in making a candy bar like Snickers enjoyable to eat?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Look at the featured image of this activity. What do you see in the image? What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Please discuss your thoughts and predictions with your partner or group.
Introduction:
Now, let’s read the introduction to the activity and learn more about the history and production of Snickers candy bars.
Video Engagement:
Watch the video associated with this activity, which can be found at https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/how-snickers-are-made-in-factory/. As you watch the video, please pause at the following points and discuss the questions with your partner or group:
- Pause the video when it shows the production of the nougat center. What do you think is the most challenging part of creating the nougat center? How do you think the ingredients are mixed and cooked to achieve the perfect consistency?
- Pause the video when it shows the caramelizing process. What do you think is the purpose of heating the mixture to 250° F for 20 minutes? How do you think the caramel is cooled and thinned to a manageable consistency?
- Pause the video when it shows the final coating and packaging of the Snickers bars. What do you think is the most important factor in creating a smooth and glossy chocolate coating? How do you think the bars are packaged to ensure freshness and quality?
Key Vocabulary:
Let’s review some key vocabulary related to the production of Snickers candy bars. Please match the terms with their definitions and example usage:
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Nougat | A sweet, creamy, and airy confection made from sugar, corn syrup, and egg whites. | The Snickers bar features a nougat center, adding to its unique taste and texture. |
| Caramel | A sweet and sticky liquid made by heating sugar, corn syrup, and other ingredients to a high temperature. | The caramel in a Snickers bar is made by mixing corn syrup, butter, and condensed milk, then heating it to 250° F. |
| Tempering | A process of heating and cooling chocolate to create a stable crystal structure, giving it a smooth and glossy appearance. | The milk chocolate used in Snickers bars undergoes a unique tempering process to create a uniform crystalization of the cocoa butter. |
| Conch | A machine used to mix and refine chocolate, developing its flavor and texture. | The chocolate paste is conveyed to a conch where additional cocoa butter and lecithin are added to create a smooth and creamy mixture. |
| Enrobing | The process of coating a food product, such as a candy bar, in a layer of chocolate. | The Snickers bars pass through two enrobing machines, one for the base and one for full coverage, resulting in a luxurious layer of silky smooth chocolate. |
| Lecithin | A natural emulsifier used to improve the texture and stability of chocolate. | The milk chocolate used in Snickers bars contains higher amounts of lecithin, giving it a higher melting point and a smoother texture. |
| Cocoa Butter | A key ingredient in chocolate, responsible for its smooth and melt-in-your-mouth texture. | The milk chocolate used in Snickers bars contains higher amounts of cocoa butter, giving it a creamy and unforgettable taste. |
| Convection Oven | A type of oven that uses circulating hot air to cook food evenly and efficiently. | Raw peanuts are roasted in a 150 ft convection oven to unlock their rich nutty flavors. |
| Emulsifier | A substance used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, improving their texture and consistency. | Vanilla extract and emulsifiers are added to the caramel mixture to enrich its taste and texture. |
| Heat Sealing | A process of sealing packaging using heat and pressure, creating a tight and secure seal. | The Snickers bars are packaged in iconic wrappers using a wrapping machine with heat sealing technology that can seal up to 1,000 bars per minute. |
Vocabulary Quiz:
Test your understanding of the key vocabulary by answering the following questions:
- Which word means ‘to give something a particular shape or form’ in the context of the Snickers bar production?
- What does ‘tempering’ refer to in the chocolate-making process for Snickers bars?
- What is the purpose of ‘conching’ in the production of Snickers bars?
- What is ‘caramelizing’ in the context of making caramel for Snickers bars?
- What is the term for the process of ‘heating and cooling’ the chocolate to create a uniform crystalization of the cocoa butter?
Answer Key:
- D) However the correct term is not listed, the correct term is ‘Forming’ or ‘Shaping’, but the closest answer is A) Tempering is related but not the correct term in this context, the correct answer is not listed, a better answer would be ‘Forming’ or ‘Shaping’
- B) Heating and cooling procedure to create uniform crystalization
- B) To mix and aerate the chocolate mixture, adding additional cocoa butter and lecithin
- B) Heating the mixture to 250° F for 20 minutes to create a rich flavor
- A) Tempering
Grammar Focus:
The passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject of a sentence receives the action described by the verb. In the context of the provided text, the passive voice is extensively used to describe the processes involved in creating a Snickers bar.
Example: “The paste is then refined, conveyed to a conch where additional cocoa butter and lecithin are added, and finally tempered…” or “The nougat mixture is mechanically stirred and cooked at 270° F to achieve the perfect consistency.”
The use of the passive voice allows for a focus on the actions and processes rather than the doers of the actions, which is typical in technical and descriptive writing. It helps to create a sense of objectivity and emphasizes the steps involved in the process.
Grammar Quiz:
Test your understanding of the passive voice by answering the following questions:
- The passive voice is used to describe the doers of the actions in a sentence.
- Which of the following sentences is an example of the passive voice?
- Why is the passive voice often used in technical and descriptive writing?
- Identify the passive voice construction in the following sentence: “The Sn
