The Reading / Listening - Level 5

Medical experts are questioning why so much was spent on developing and stocking up on influenza drugs. The tablet Tamiflu and nasal spray Relenza are prescribed by doctors to treat the flu. Governments have stockpiled the drugs as a precaution against an influenza epidemic. New research casts doubt on their effectiveness and manufacturers' claims. A non-profit healthcare research network and the British Medical Journal published a report based on clinical trials of the drugs. The study questions whether governments should be spending money on the drugs.

The research says the drugs shorten the symptoms of influenza by half a day. However, there is insufficient evidence about whether they reduce the chances of hospitalization or complications. Researchers said Tamiflu increased the risk of nausea and vomiting and could cause headaches and depression. The makers said the research excluded "real-world data". The research said Relenza was the same as gargling with salt water or taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Its maker said: "When used appropriately, in the right patient, it can reduce the duration of flu symptoms."

Try the same news story at these levels:

    Level 4 or  Level 6

Sources
  • http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/04/09/tamiflu-relenza-study/7478287/
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/health-26954482
  • http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/tamiflu-s-effectiveness-in-cutting-hospitalizations-questioned-1.2604783


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.

experts are questioning why

a.

the drugs

2.

stocking up

b.

trials

3.

stockpiled

c.

on their effectiveness

4.

precaution against

d.

research network

5.

research casts doubt

e.

so much was spent

6.

A non-profit healthcare

f.

on the drugs

7.

clinical

g.

on influenza drugs

8.

spending money

h.

an influenza epidemic



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ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.

drugs shorten the symptoms

a.

appropriately

2.

there is insufficient

b.

of hospitalization

3.

they reduce the chances

c.

with salt water

4.

increased the risk of

d.

counter pain relievers

5.

the research excluded

e.

of influenza

6.

gargling

f.

"real-world data"

7.

taking over-the-

g.

evidence

8.

When used

h.

nausea and vomiting

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

Medical experts are (1) ___________________ was spent on developing and stocking up on influenza drugs. The tablet Tamiflu and nasal spray Relenza are prescribed by doctors (2) ___________________. Governments have stockpiled the drugs (3) ___________________ against an influenza epidemic. New research (4) ___________________ their effectiveness and manufacturers' claims. A non-profit healthcare research network and the British Medical Journal published (5) ___________________ clinical trials of the drugs. The (6) ___________________ governments should be spending money on the drugs.

The research says the drugs (7) ___________________ of influenza by half a day. However, there (8) ___________________ about whether they reduce the chances of hospitalization or complications. Researchers said Tamiflu increased (9) ___________________ and vomiting and could cause headaches and depression. The (10) ___________________ excluded "real-world data". The research said Relenza was (11) ___________________ with salt water or taking over-the-counter pain relievers. Its maker said: "When used appropriately, in the right patient, (12) ___________________ duration of flu symptoms."

MEDICINE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about medicine in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper.

When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)

________________________________________________________

b)

________________________________________________________

c)

________________________________________________________

d)

________________________________________________________

e)

________________________________________________________

f)

________________________________________________________

g)

________________________________________________________

h)

________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

Write about medicine for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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