⭐ TEXT 1 — “The seed of the energy crisis lies in tomatoes”
Ed Conway, The Sunday Times (2022)
1. General Summary (medium/long)
This article explains how deeply modern life depends on natural gas, using tomatoes as a
surprising example. Many supermarket tomatoes are grown in high-tech greenhouses
that rely heavily on natural gas for heating, fertiliser production, and CO₂ enrichment.
Because of this, tomatoes are basically “fossil fuel products.” The author argues that
economists underestimate how energy prices influence almost everything, not just
electricity and petrol. When gas prices rise, food prices rise too.
He criticises governments and economists for ignoring how energy is embedded in all
goods and services. He also discusses the UK’s energy price guarantee under Liz Truss,
warning that it is extremely expensive and may not be sustainable if gas prices stay high
for years. Finally, he argues that the long-term solution is not just replacing gas boilers
with heat pumps but redesigning entire industries to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
2. Paragraph-by-Paragraph Summary
Paragraph 1–2
The author introduces tomatoes as a symbol of how dependent we are on natural gas.
Most supermarket tomatoes come from huge greenhouses that use heat, fertiliser, and
CO₂ — all produced using natural gas.
Paragraph 3
These greenhouses are extremely productive: one acre can produce 400 times more
tomatoes than a normal field. This efficiency keeps supermarket prices low.
Paragraph 4
Natural gas is essential for fertiliser, heating, and CO₂ production. Therefore, tomatoes
are “fossil fuel products.” Economists often ignore this connection when analysing
inflation.
Paragraph 5-6
The author argues that economists underestimated inflation because they did not
consider how energy affects all goods, not just fuel. You cannot substitute energy the
way you substitute vegetables — without energy, nothing works.
Paragraph 7
He explains the UK government’s energy price guarantee. It may prevent recession, but
it is extremely expensive, and the final cost is unknown because it depends on Russia’s
actions.
,Paragraph 8-9
Two problems:
1. The policy assumes the crisis will end soon, but gas shortages may last for years.
2. The policy does not encourage people or businesses to use less energy.
Paragraph 9
The author suggests paying businesses not to burn gas, similar to paying people to stay
home during COVID. This would reduce demand and hurt Russia financially.
Paragraph 10
The final message: reaching net zero requires more than switching to renewable energy.
We must redesign industries, including fertiliser production and agriculture, to reduce
fossil fuel dependence. Tomatoes are only the beginning.
3. Difficult-to-Pronounce Words (with simple phonetics)
Word Pronunciation
hydroponic hy-dro-PON-ik
nitrogen NY-tro-jen
fertiliser FER-ti-ly-zer
concentration kon-sen-TRAY-shun
methane METH-ane
aggregated AG-gre-gay-ted
inflation in-FLAY-shun
economists ee-KON-uh-mists
dislocations dis-lo-KAY-shuns
intervention in-ter-VEN-shun
solvency SOL-ven-see
prudent PROO-dent
disentangle dis-en-TANG-gul
cannibalising CAN-ih-buh-ly-zing
photosynthesi
foh-toh-SIN-thuh-size
se
,Word Pronunciation
TWEN-tee dih-GREEZ
20C
SELL-see-us
libertarian lib-er-TAIR-ee-un
legislation lej-is-LAY-shun
the Treasury theh TRESH-uh-ree
forthcoming forth-KUM-ing
reliant ri-LY-unt
blithely blythli
4. Vocabulary List (English meaning + Dutch translation)
Word English Meaning Dutch Translation
to set a maximum level
Committed to cap
To allow yourself (or someone else) to enjoy
Indulge Iets gunnen
something
entangled Verstrengeld
closely connected in a complicated way
hydroponic growing plants without soil hydrocultuur
fertiliser chemical that helps plants grow meststof
enriched made stronger or improved verrijkt
yield amount produced opbrengst
substitute replace with something else vervangen
cliff-edge dangerous or critical situation rand van de afgrond
subsidy financial support from the government subsidie
solvency ability to pay debts solvabiliteit
prudent careful and sensible verstandig
drought long period without rain droogte
Much-vaunted the highly praised or often-talked-about goal of het veelgeprezen
net zero reducing emissions to zero. “netto-nul” doel.
, Word English Meaning Dutch Translation
cavernous halls enorme, holle glazen
very large, wide, echoing spaces made of glass
of glass hallen
Hence therefore; for that reason. daarom
extremely detailed, analytical, precise (like a zeer nauwkeurig
forensic
detective) onderzocht
the pipe that carries smoke and gases out of a
The boiler’s flue de afvoerbuis
boiler
columnist a journalist who writes regular opinion pieces opiniemaker
FT Financial times
pondering thinking deeply about something
blithely casually, without worry or concern Zorgeloos
someone who believes in minimal government
Libertarian
and maximum personal freedom
recession a period of economic decline
the government department responsible for
The Treasury
money, taxes, and budgets
biggest
the largest amount of money spent by a
peacetime
government when there is no war
splurge
Foggiest No idea
solvency of the the country’s ability to pay its debts and remain Financiële
nation financially stable draagkracht
reliant depending on something or someone
5. Example Questions (same style as your exam)
1. Big picture / main idea
Which statement best summarises the article? A) Tomatoes are becoming too
expensive for consumers. B) Natural gas affects almost every part of the economy, and
governments underestimate this. C) Greenhouses are more efficient than traditional
farms. D) The UK government should stop supporting farmers. Correct answer: B
2. Specific information
Ed Conway, The Sunday Times (2022)
1. General Summary (medium/long)
This article explains how deeply modern life depends on natural gas, using tomatoes as a
surprising example. Many supermarket tomatoes are grown in high-tech greenhouses
that rely heavily on natural gas for heating, fertiliser production, and CO₂ enrichment.
Because of this, tomatoes are basically “fossil fuel products.” The author argues that
economists underestimate how energy prices influence almost everything, not just
electricity and petrol. When gas prices rise, food prices rise too.
He criticises governments and economists for ignoring how energy is embedded in all
goods and services. He also discusses the UK’s energy price guarantee under Liz Truss,
warning that it is extremely expensive and may not be sustainable if gas prices stay high
for years. Finally, he argues that the long-term solution is not just replacing gas boilers
with heat pumps but redesigning entire industries to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
2. Paragraph-by-Paragraph Summary
Paragraph 1–2
The author introduces tomatoes as a symbol of how dependent we are on natural gas.
Most supermarket tomatoes come from huge greenhouses that use heat, fertiliser, and
CO₂ — all produced using natural gas.
Paragraph 3
These greenhouses are extremely productive: one acre can produce 400 times more
tomatoes than a normal field. This efficiency keeps supermarket prices low.
Paragraph 4
Natural gas is essential for fertiliser, heating, and CO₂ production. Therefore, tomatoes
are “fossil fuel products.” Economists often ignore this connection when analysing
inflation.
Paragraph 5-6
The author argues that economists underestimated inflation because they did not
consider how energy affects all goods, not just fuel. You cannot substitute energy the
way you substitute vegetables — without energy, nothing works.
Paragraph 7
He explains the UK government’s energy price guarantee. It may prevent recession, but
it is extremely expensive, and the final cost is unknown because it depends on Russia’s
actions.
,Paragraph 8-9
Two problems:
1. The policy assumes the crisis will end soon, but gas shortages may last for years.
2. The policy does not encourage people or businesses to use less energy.
Paragraph 9
The author suggests paying businesses not to burn gas, similar to paying people to stay
home during COVID. This would reduce demand and hurt Russia financially.
Paragraph 10
The final message: reaching net zero requires more than switching to renewable energy.
We must redesign industries, including fertiliser production and agriculture, to reduce
fossil fuel dependence. Tomatoes are only the beginning.
3. Difficult-to-Pronounce Words (with simple phonetics)
Word Pronunciation
hydroponic hy-dro-PON-ik
nitrogen NY-tro-jen
fertiliser FER-ti-ly-zer
concentration kon-sen-TRAY-shun
methane METH-ane
aggregated AG-gre-gay-ted
inflation in-FLAY-shun
economists ee-KON-uh-mists
dislocations dis-lo-KAY-shuns
intervention in-ter-VEN-shun
solvency SOL-ven-see
prudent PROO-dent
disentangle dis-en-TANG-gul
cannibalising CAN-ih-buh-ly-zing
photosynthesi
foh-toh-SIN-thuh-size
se
,Word Pronunciation
TWEN-tee dih-GREEZ
20C
SELL-see-us
libertarian lib-er-TAIR-ee-un
legislation lej-is-LAY-shun
the Treasury theh TRESH-uh-ree
forthcoming forth-KUM-ing
reliant ri-LY-unt
blithely blythli
4. Vocabulary List (English meaning + Dutch translation)
Word English Meaning Dutch Translation
to set a maximum level
Committed to cap
To allow yourself (or someone else) to enjoy
Indulge Iets gunnen
something
entangled Verstrengeld
closely connected in a complicated way
hydroponic growing plants without soil hydrocultuur
fertiliser chemical that helps plants grow meststof
enriched made stronger or improved verrijkt
yield amount produced opbrengst
substitute replace with something else vervangen
cliff-edge dangerous or critical situation rand van de afgrond
subsidy financial support from the government subsidie
solvency ability to pay debts solvabiliteit
prudent careful and sensible verstandig
drought long period without rain droogte
Much-vaunted the highly praised or often-talked-about goal of het veelgeprezen
net zero reducing emissions to zero. “netto-nul” doel.
, Word English Meaning Dutch Translation
cavernous halls enorme, holle glazen
very large, wide, echoing spaces made of glass
of glass hallen
Hence therefore; for that reason. daarom
extremely detailed, analytical, precise (like a zeer nauwkeurig
forensic
detective) onderzocht
the pipe that carries smoke and gases out of a
The boiler’s flue de afvoerbuis
boiler
columnist a journalist who writes regular opinion pieces opiniemaker
FT Financial times
pondering thinking deeply about something
blithely casually, without worry or concern Zorgeloos
someone who believes in minimal government
Libertarian
and maximum personal freedom
recession a period of economic decline
the government department responsible for
The Treasury
money, taxes, and budgets
biggest
the largest amount of money spent by a
peacetime
government when there is no war
splurge
Foggiest No idea
solvency of the the country’s ability to pay its debts and remain Financiële
nation financially stable draagkracht
reliant depending on something or someone
5. Example Questions (same style as your exam)
1. Big picture / main idea
Which statement best summarises the article? A) Tomatoes are becoming too
expensive for consumers. B) Natural gas affects almost every part of the economy, and
governments underestimate this. C) Greenhouses are more efficient than traditional
farms. D) The UK government should stop supporting farmers. Correct answer: B
2. Specific information
