Study Buddy (Challenger): Snake wine’s origins, claimed health benefits and use in TCM
This page is for students who want to take their reading comprehension to the next level with difficult vocabulary and questions to test their inference skills.
Snakes preserved in bottles and filled with liquor to make snake wine. Photo: ShutterstockContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] For many, a snake submerged in a bottle of liquor is not the most appealing or appetising sight. In certain parts of Asia, however, this promises something that anyone would desire: better health. This unusual drink is known as snake wine and has been consumed for centuries, as many believe it offers medicinal benefits.
[2] Snake wine is thought to have originated from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where animal-based remedies have long been believed to treat ailments, or illnesses, and improve health. Snakes as a medicinal material first appeared in the Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica, written in China during the Han dynasty (202BC-220AD).
[3] Li Shizhen was a pharmacologist – someone who studies chemicals and develops medicine – during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). He detailed snakes’ medicinal value in a book called Compendium of Materia Medica. According to this ancient text, snake venom invigorates the body, improves circulation and even combats joint pain and skin conditions.
[4] People in other Asian countries, including South Korea, Japan and Vietnam, also drink snake wine. There are around 3,000 species of snakes worldwide, but the snakes with the most potent venom are thought to produce the best quality wine.
[5] In Japan – particularly on the southern island of Okinawa – snake wine is popularly known as habushu, named after the habu snake, a species native to the Ryukyu Islands. In Okinawa, habushu is made by submerging a habu snake in awamori, a strong distilled spirit unique to the region.
[6] The process of making snake wine involves several meticulous steps. Once a venomous snake is captured, it is carefully handled and cleaned. The snake’s internal organs are removed to prevent contamination of the alcohol. Afterwards, the snake is placed in a clean bottle or jar, and high-proof liquor – such as baijiu, rice wine or another strong spirit – is poured in. The alcohol should completely cover the snake. Once the snake is sealed in the bottle, the container is left to ferment for months or even years. Over time, the snake’s venom dissolves into the alcohol.
[7] There are many variations of snake wine. Some are made with multiple snakes, while others may include other animals or ingredients, depending on the specific health benefits desired. While snake wine is considered beneficial by many to this day, it is not without risks. There are health concerns surrounding snake wine. If not produced carefully, it can be contaminated by parasites or harmful bacteria, and the venom in the snake can be dangerous if ingested in large amounts.
[8] In South Korea today, the production, sale and consumption of snake wine is illegal. In China, while the drink is not banned, hunting, killing or trading in protected snake species often used in snake wine is illegal.
Source: South China Morning Post, December 31
Questions
1. Based on your understanding of paragraph 1, why does the writer describe snake wine as “unusual”?
2. According to paragraphs 2 and 3, snake wine …
A. was met with widespread scepticism and resistance in China.
B. was probably widely accepted throughout Chinese history.
C. was primarily used by the wealthy elite.
D. all of the above
3. Find a word in paragraph 3 that means to “give strength or energy to”.
4. In paragraph 4, the quality of snake wine is determined by …
A. how the snake is processed.
B. where the snake is harvested.
C. the snake’s venom.
D. the type of wine used.
5. What does the process described in paragraph 6 suggest about the level of skill required to prepare snake wine?
6. What happens during the fermentation period according to paragraph 6?
7. What is the purpose of adding other ingredients to snake wine, according to paragraph 7?
8. According to paragraph 8, in South Korea, snake wine is …
A. legal to produce but illegal to consume.
B. legal to consume but illegal to sell.
C. illegal to produce but legal to import.
D. completely prohibited.
9. What is the writer’s attitude towards snake wine?
A. impartial
B. critical
C. positive
D. undecided
Answers
1. Snake wine uses an unconventional ingredient/challenges the conventional notion of wine. (accept any reasonable answer)
2. B
3. Invigorate
4. C
5. The process is not a simple task and requires a high skill level. This includes specialised knowledge of the animal, careful handling and a deep understanding of the process. (accept any reasonable answers).
6. The snake’s venom gradually dissolves into the alcohol.
7. Additional ingredients can be used to enhance the perceived medicinal benefits of the snake wine for specific health concerns.
8. D
9. A