Gum

High school (ages 12+)
Food & Cooking

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/gum

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is chewing gum made of?Chewing gum is made from a gum base that contains polymers like polyisobutylene, plasticizers such as vegetable oils, fillers like calcium carbonate, and resins that help hold flavor.
2. Why do people chew gum?People chew gum for fun, to freshen breath, and to keep their mouths clean. It can also help them stay alert and remember things better.

Polymer: A large molecule composed of repeating structural units, forming the backbone of synthetic gum bases.
Plasticizer: An additive that increases the flexibility and workability of polymers within the gum base.
Xerostomia: The medical term for dry mouth, a condition that can be alleviated by stimulating saliva production through gum chewing.