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18 Sept 2026
The Global Story of Instant Noodles: Quick, Tasty, and Famous
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Think Ahead: Which detail do you think appears in this story?
a) Instant noodles were invented in Japan in 1958.
b) People only eat instant noodles in winter.
c) Instant noodles are made of rice and fruit.
Ask:
(1) Do you like eating instant noodles at home or school?
(2) Why do you think instant noodles are so popular around the world?
VOCABULARY
cheap (/tʃiːp/, adjective)
Meaning: Costing very little money.
Example: These instant noodles are cheap to buy at the shop.
famous (/ˈfeɪ.məs/, adjective)
Meaning: Known by many people in many places.
Example: Ramen is a famous food in Japan.
market (/ˈmɑː.kɪt/, noun)
Meaning: A place or business of buying and selling goods.
Example: The global market for food is very big.
packet (/ˈpæk.ɪt/, noun)
Meaning: A small box or bag holding items.
Example: He opened a packet of dried noodles.
quick (/kwɪk/, adjective)
Meaning: Happening in a short time.
Example: Cooking soup with hot water is very quick.
salty (/ˈsɔːl.ti/, adjective)
Meaning: Tasting of salt.
Example: The soup tastes salty and warm.
Instant noodles are very famous all over the world. A man named Momofuku Ando created them in Japan in 1958. He wanted to make quick food for hungry people. You just add hot water to a packet. The noodles are ready in three minutes!
Today, people buy millions of noodle pots every day. They are cheap to buy at the shop. They taste good because they are warm and salty. Many students love eating them for lunch.
However, eating noodles every day is not good. Doctors say they have too much salt and fat. They do not have many vitamins or fresh vegetables. It is best to eat them with healthy eggs, carrots, or green spinach. They are a fun treat on a busy day, but fresh food keeps your body strong!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. How often do you eat instant noodles?
2. What is your favourite soup or noodle flavour?
3. Who invented instant noodles in Japan?
4. Why do doctors say we should not eat instant noodles every day?
5. What healthy items can you add to noodles to make them better?
FILL IN THE GAPS
FILL THE GAPS
Section 1: Fill in the Gaps
Word Bank: cheap, famous, packet, quick
Instant noodles are very _______(1) all over the world. A man named Momofuku Ando created them in Japan in 1958. He wanted to make _______(2) food for hungry people. You just add hot water to a _______(3). The noodles are ready in three minutes!
Today, people buy millions of noodle pots every day. They are _______(4) to buy at the shop. They taste good because they are warm and salty. Many students love eating them for lunch.
However, eating noodles every day is not good. Doctors say they have too much salt and fat. They do not have many vitamins or fresh vegetables. It is best to eat them with healthy eggs, carrots, or green spinach. They are a fun treat on a busy day, but fresh food keeps your body strong!
Section 2: Main Idea
What is the main idea of this article?
a) Instant noodles are quick and popular, but people should eat them with healthy vegetables.
b) Momofuku Ando only liked eating fresh carrots and spinach.
c) Instant noodles are the only food students eat in Japan.
UNDERSTANDING
Section 3: True or False
1. Instant noodles were created in Japan in 1958. T/F
2. Instant noodles take two hours to cook in hot water. T/F
3. Doctors advise eating fresh vegetables alongside instant noodles. T/F
Section 4: Put Events in Order
Put these events in order from 1 to 3:
( ) Add hot water to the instant noodles packet.
( ) Momofuku Ando invents instant noodles in 1958.
( ) Add fresh vegetables or eggs to make the noodles healthier.
LANGUAGE
Section 5: Vocab Match
1. Famous
2. Quick
3. Cheap
4. Packet
5. Salty
a) Costing very little money
b) Known by a lot of people
c) Tasting of salt
d) Done in a very short time
e) A small container or bag for holding items
USE IT
Section 6: Discussion Builder
1. Instant noodles are a _______ lunch because they only take three minutes to prepare.
a) quick
b) slow
c) hard
2. I bought a _______ of noodles from the supermarket yesterday.
a) packet
b) river
c) tree
Section 7: Sentence Unscramble
1. Unscramble the sentence:
A) noodles / B) hot water / C) need / D) instant / E) only
2. Unscramble the sentence:
A) food / B) Momofuku Ando / C) delicious / D) invented / E) quick
ANSWER KEY
Warm Up Answer: a) Instant noodles were invented in Japan in 1958.
Section 1 Answers: (1) famous, (2) quick, (3) packet, (4) cheap
Section 2 Answer: a
Section 3 Answers: 1. T, 2. F, 3. T
Section 4 Answers: 2, 1, 3
Section 5 Answers: 1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-e, 5-c
Section 6 Answers: 1-a, 2-a
Section 7 Answers: 1) D-A-C-E-B (Instant noodles need only hot water.), 2) B-D-E-C-A (Momofuku Ando invented quick delicious food.)
Section 8 Discussion Questions: Student's own answers.
Thank you for your feedback!