The Reading / Listening - Level 6

For many parents, getting their kids to eat their greens is a constant battle. It often seems that whatever vegetables are served up to young children, they are refused with a vengeance. This can lead to young ones adopting poor diets. A new study from the University of Leeds in the U.K. suggests parents can train their children to like vegetables. The study showed that children under the age of two can get to like vegetables they initially rejected if they are offered them five to ten times. Researchers said even the fussiest of eaters will succumb to repeated exposure to vegetables. This is good news for parents worried about their children's dietary intake and levels of nutrition.

The study was conducted on 332 children aged between four months and three years from Britain, Denmark and France. Each child was given between five and 10 servings of at least 100g of artichoke puree. The younger children consumed more of the artichoke than the older children. Professor Marion Hetherington said: "If they are under two, they will eat new vegetables because they tend to be willing and open to new experiences. After 24 months, children become reluctant to try new things and start to reject foods - even those they previously liked." She added: "If you want to encourage your children to eat vegetables, make sure you start early and often."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27635861
  • http://www.science20.com/news_articles/
    start_them_early_give_them_often_if_you_want_kids_to_like_vegetables-137487
  • http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0097609


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 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. VEGETABLES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about vegetables. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

 

greens / constant battle / poor diets / under the age of two / fussy eaters / nutrition / conducted / servings / older children / willing / new experiences / reluctant / encourage

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. VEGGIES: What do you know about these vegetables? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Ways of cooking

How to grow

Varieties

Corn

 

 

 

Potato

 

 

 

Cabbage

 

 

 

Onion

 

 

 

Garlic

 

 

 

Carrots

 

 

 

4. KIDS' DIETS: Students A strongly believe children should eat mainly fruit and vegetables; Students B strongly believe children should eat anything.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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

5. KIDS' BATTLES: Rank these with your partner. Put the biggest battles to get kids to do things at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • eat healthily

  • go to bed early

  • tidy their room

  • do their homework

  • say 'please' and 'thank you'

  • do as they are told

  • be nice to siblings

  • be quiet

6. NUTRITION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "nutrition". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if  a-h  below are true (T) or false (F).

a.

The article says getting kids to eat vegetables is a battle for parents.

T / F

b.

Research suggests parents can train their kids to like vegetables.

T / F

c.

The key age to get kids to like vegetables is four.

T / F

d.

The study said parents should give vegetables to kids up to ten times.

T / F

e.

Researchers focused on children in four European countries.

T / F

f.

Researchers tried to get children to eat garlic in their study.

T / F

g.

The study says kids are less willing to try new things from the age of 2.

T / F

h.

Researchers suggest encouraging kids to eat vegetables once a month.

T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

1.

constant

a.

result in

2.

refused

b.

carried out

3.

lead to

c.

give in

4.

initially

d.

never-ending

5.

succumb

e.

ready

6.

conducted

f.

at first

7.

consumed

g.

not in favour of

8.

willing

h.

turned down

9.

reluctant

i.

urge

10.

encourage

j.

ate

3. PHRASE MATCH:  (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1.

getting their kids to eat their greens

a.

diets

2.

they are refused with

b.

try new things

3.

adopting poor

c.

intake

4.

even the fussiest of

d.

to be willing

5.

children's dietary

e.

is a constant battle

6.

The study was conducted

f.

liked

7.

between five and 10

g.

on 332 children

8.

they tend

h.

a vengeance

9.

children become reluctant to

i.

servings

10.

even those they previously

j.

eaters will succumb

GAP FILL

For many parents, getting their kids to eat their greens is a (1) ____________ battle. It often seems that whatever vegetables are served up to young children, they are (2) ____________ with a vengeance. This can lead to young ones adopting (3) ____________ diets. A new study from the University of Leeds in the U.K. (4) ____________ parents can train their children to like vegetables. The study showed that children under the age of two can get to like vegetables they (5) ____________ rejected if they are offered them five to ten times. Researchers said even the (6) ____________ of eaters will succumb to repeated exposure to vegetables. This is good (7) ____________ for parents worried about their children's dietary intake and (8) ____________ of nutrition.

 

 

initially
poor
news
constant
levels
refused
fussiest
suggests

The study was (9) ____________ on 332 children aged between four months and three years from Britain, Denmark and France. Each child was given between five and 10 (10) ____________ of at least 100g of artichoke (11) ____________. The younger children (12) ____________ more of the artichoke than the older children. Professor Marion Hetherington said: "If they are under two, they will eat new vegetables because they (13) ____________ to be willing and open to new experiences. After 24 months, children become (14) ____________ to try new things and start to reject foods - even those they (15) ____________ liked." She added: "If you want to (16) ____________ your children to eat vegetables, make sure you start early and often."

 

tend
puree
encourage
conducted
reluctant
servings
consumed
previously

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

For many parents, getting their kids to eat their greens is ______

 

a.  an instant battle
b.  a constantly battle
c.  a constant battle
d.  an instantly battle

2)

whatever vegetables are served up to young children, they are refused ______

 

a.  with revenge
b.  with a vengeance
c.  with even giants
d.  wither vengeance

3)

children under the age of two can get to like vegetables they ______

 

a.  initial he rejected
b.  initially rejection
c.  initially rejected
d.  initial rejection

4)

Researchers said even the fussiest of eaters ______

 

a.  will succumb
b.  will suck thumb
c.  wills succumb
d.  wills suck thumb

5)

good news for parents worried about their children's dietary intake and ______

 

a.  level of nutrition
b.  levels for nutrition
c.  levels of nutrition
d.  level for nutrition

6)

Each child was given between five ______

 

a.  and 10 serving
b.  and 10 serve ins
c.  and 10 swerving
d.  and 10 servings

7)

The younger children ______

 

a.  consumed more
b.  consummated more
c.  confirmed more
d.  consume more

8)

they tend to be willing and open to ______

 

a.  new experience
b.  newly experienced
c.  new experiences
d.  new experience is

9)

After 24 months, children become ______

 

a.  reluctance to try
b.  reluctant to try
c.  reluctance to trial
d.  reluctant to trial

10)

start to reject foods - even those they ______

 

a.  previous liked
b.  previously like it
c.  previous like it
d.  previously liked

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

For many parents, getting their kids to eat their greens (1) ___________________. It often seems that whatever vegetables are served up to young children, they are refused (2) ___________________. This can lead to young ones (3) ___________________. A new study from the University of Leeds in the U.K. suggests parents can train their children to like vegetables. The study showed that children under the age of two can get to like vegetables (4) ___________________ if they are offered them five to ten times. Researchers said even (5) ___________________ will succumb to repeated exposure to vegetables. This is good news for parents worried about their children's (6) ___________________ levels of nutrition.

The study (7) ___________________ 332 children aged between four months and three years from Britain, Denmark and France. Each child was given between five and 10 (8) ___________________ 100g of artichoke puree. The younger children (9) ___________________ the artichoke than the older children. Professor Marion Hetherington said: "If they are under two, they will eat new vegetables because they (10) ___________________ and open to new experiences. After 24 months, children become reluctant to try new things and (11) ___________________ - even those they previously liked." She added: "If you (12) ___________________ your children to eat vegetables, make sure you start early and often."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What is a constant battle?

2.

What is refused with a vengeance?

3.

What is the best age to train children to like vegetables?

4.

Who will succumb to repeated exposure to vegetables?

5.

What might parents worry about?

6.

How many children were part of the study?

7.

How much artichoke puree did the children get?

8.

Who consumed more of the artichoke puree?

9.

When do children start becoming reluctant to try new things?

10.

When should parents start encouraging children to eat vegetables?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What is a constant battle?

6.

How many children were part of the study?

 

a) looking after children
b) eating
c) getting kids to eat greens
d) growing vegetables

 

a) 232
b) 332
c) 233
d) 323

2.

What is refused with a vengeance?

7.

How much artichoke puree did the children get?

 

a) vegetables
b) advice
c) food
d) offers of help

 

a) 100g
b) 80g
c) 150g
d) 115g

3.

What is the best age to train children to like vegetables?

8.

Who consumed more of the artichoke puree?

 

a) under 2 years
b) 3 months
c) 3 years
d) 4 years

 

a) farmers
b) babies
c) younger children
d) parents

4.

Who will succumb to repeated exposure to vegetables?

9.

When do children start becoming reluctant to try new things?

 

a) babies
b) the fussiest of eaters
c) seven-year-olds
d) parents

 

a) after eating artichokes
b) after their seventh birthday
c) from birth
d) from 24 months

5.

What might parents worry about?

10.

When should parents start encouraging children to eat vegetables?

 

a) their waist lines
b) getting time to cook
c) the price of vegetables
d) their children's diet

 

a) early
b) 9am
c) Monday mornings
d) on a child's 4th birthday

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Vegetables

You think vegetables are the most important thing for growing children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food types aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): fruit, protein or carbohydrates.

Role  B – Fruit

You think fruit is the most important thing for growing children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food types aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): vegetables, protein or carbohydrates.

Role  C – Protein

You think protein is the most important thing for growing children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food types aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): fruit, vegetables or carbohydrates.

Role  D – Carbohydrates

You think carbohydrates are the most important thing for growing children. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food types aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why):  fruit, protein or vegetables.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words 'constant' and 'battle'.

constant

 

battle

 

 

  • Share your findings with your partners.
  • Make questions using the words you found.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

  • Share your questions with other classmates / groups.
  • Ask your partner / group your questions.

3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

  • greens
  • refused
  • poor
  • train
  • eaters
  • levels
  • four
  • 100
  • older
  • tend
  • try
  • often

VEGETABLES SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about vegetables 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.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

VEGETABLES DISCUSSION

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'vegetable'?

c)

Why do kids dislike so many vegetables?

d)

What vegetables did you dislike as a kid?

e)

How can you get children to eat more vegetables?

f)

How important is it for children to eat vegetables?

g)

What are you fussy about?

h)

Do you eat enough vegetables?

i)

Should children eat mainly fruit and vegetables?

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

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What do you think of the survey in the article?

c)

How are vegetables different from fruit?

d)

Is a tomato a fruit or vegetable? Why do you say so?

e)

Should parents give children dozens of different types of vegetables?

f)

What vegetables do you dislike now? Why?

g)

How have your food tastes changed over the years?

h)

Do children eat too much rubbish nowadays?

i)

What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

DISCUSSION (Write your own questions)

STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

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

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

For many parents, getting their kids to eat their greens is a (1) ____ battle. It often seems that whatever vegetables are served up to young children, they are (2) ____ with a vengeance. This can lead to young ones (3) ____ poor diets. A new study from the University of Leeds in the U.K. suggests parents can train their children to like vegetables. The study showed that children under the age of two can get to like vegetables they (4) ____ rejected if they are offered them five to ten times. Researchers said even the (5) ____ of eaters will succumb to repeated exposure to vegetables. This is good news for parents worried about their children's (6) ____ intake and levels of nutrition.

The study was conducted (7) ____ 332 children aged between four months and three years from Britain, Denmark and France. Each child was given between five and 10 servings of (8) ____ least 100g of artichoke puree. The younger children consumed more of the artichoke than the older children. Professor Marion Hetherington said: "If they are under two, they will eat new vegetables because they (9) ____ to be willing and open to new experiences. After 24 months, children become (10) ____ to try new things and start to reject foods - even those they previously (11) ____." She added: "If you want to encourage your children to eat vegetables, make sure you start early and (12) ____."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

constraint

(b)

constant

(c)

consent

(d)

consistent

2.

(a)

refuse

(b)

refused

(c)

refusal

(d)

refuses

3.

(a)

adoption

(b)

adept

(c)

adapted

(d)

adopting

4.

(a)

started

(b)

initially

(c)

began

(d)

firstly

5.

(a)

difficulty

(b)

choosy

(c)

picky

(d)

fussiest

6.

(a)

dieting

(b)

diets

(c)

dietary

(d)

dietician

7.

(a)

on

(b)

in

(c)

at

(d)

by

8.

(a)

on

(b)

in

(c)

at

(d)

by

9.

(a)

mend

(b)

fend

(c)

lend

(d)

tend

10.

(a)

reluctant

(b)

against

(c)

opposing

(d)

shy

11.

(a)

liked

(b)

preference

(c)

choice

(d)

tasted

12.

(a)

often

(b)

regular

(c)

frequent

(d)

monthly

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

refused with a eanvcngee

2.

like vegetables they aytlliiin rejected

3.

the fussiest of eaters will cusubmc

4.

repeated sxuerpeo to vegetables

5.

children's ryadite intake

6.

levels of ntotiniru

Paragraph 2

7.

The study was onctdduce on 332 children

8.

artichoke euerp

9.

younger children umdoescn more

10.

children become ctanreltu

11.

those they isvrpeyuol liked

12.

acruoeeng your children

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

of artichoke puree. The younger children consumed more of the artichoke than the older

(    )

from Britain, Denmark and France. Each child was given between five and 10 servings of at least 100g

(    )

age of two can get to like vegetables they initially rejected if they are offered them five to ten

(    )

new things and start to reject foods - even those they previously liked." She added: "If you

(    )

exposure to vegetables. This is good news for parents worried about their children's dietary intake and levels of nutrition.

(    )

vengeance. This can lead to young ones adopting poor diets. A new study from the University of Leeds in the U.K.

1  )

For many parents, getting their kids to eat their greens is a constant battle. It often seems that whatever

(    )

tend to be willing and open to new experiences. After 24 months, children become reluctant to try

(    )

want to encourage your children to eat vegetables, make sure you start early and often."

(    )

children. Professor Marion Hetherington said: "If they are under two, they will eat new vegetables because they

(    )

times. Researchers said even the fussiest of eaters will succumb to repeated

(    )

The study was conducted on 332 children aged between four months and three years

(    )

suggests parents can train their children to like vegetables. The study showed that children under the

(    )

vegetables are served up to young children, they are refused with a

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

a   is   greens   their   eat   to   kids   their   Getting   battle    constant.    

2.

lead     ones     diets     can     young     poor     This     to     adopting.    

3.

like     to     Get     rejected     initially     they     vegetables.    

4.

will     eaters     of     fussiest     the     Even     succumb.    

5.

intake     dietary     children's     their     about     worried     Parents.    

6.

332     children     The     .     study     was     conducted     on

7.

child     between     10     Each     given     and    was    five    servings.    

8.

be    willing    and    open    to    new    experiences    They    tend    to.    

9.

become     Children     things     new     try     to     reluctant.    

10.

children    vegetables    want    your    eat    You    encourage    to    to.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

For many parents, getting / gotten their kids to eat their greens is a constant / constantly battle. It often seems that whatever vegetables are served up to young children, they are refused with a revenge / vengeance. This can lead to young ones adopting penniless / poor diets. A new study from the University of Leeds in the U.K. suggests parents can train their children to / be like vegetables. The study showed that children under the old / age of two can get to like vegetables they initially / initials rejected if they are offered them five to ten times. Researchers said even the fussy / fussiest of eaters will succumb to repeated / repeatedly exposure to vegetables. This is good news for parents worried about their children's dietary intake / outtake and levels of nutrition.

The study was conducted / conduction on 332 children aged between four months and three years from Britain, Denmark and France. Each / All child was given between five and 10 servings / savings of at least 100g of artichoke pure / puree. The younger children consumed / resumed more of the artichoke than the older children. Professor Marion Hetherington said: "If they are under two, they will eat new vegetables because they fend / tend to be willing and open / openness to new experiences. After 24 months, children become reluctant to try new things and start / started to reject foods - even those they previously / previous liked." She added: "If you want to encourage your children to eat vegetables, make sure you start early / before and often."

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

F_r m_ny p_r_nts, g_tt_ng th__r k_ds t_ __t th__r gr__ns _s _ c_nst_nt b_ttl_. _t _ft_n s__ms th_t wh_t_v_r v_g_t_bl_s _r_ s_rv_d _p t_ y__ng ch_ldr_n, th_y _r_ r_f_s_d w_th _ v_ng__nc_. Th_s c_n l__d t_ y__ng _n_s _d_pt_ng p__r d__ts. _ n_w st_dy fr_m th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f L__ds _n th_ _.K. s_gg_sts p_r_nts c_n tr__n th__r ch_ldr_n t_ l_k_ v_g_t_bl_s. Th_ st_dy sh_w_d th_t ch_ldr_n _nd_r th_ _g_ _f tw_ c_n g_t t_ l_k_ v_g_t_bl_s th_y _n_t__lly r_j_ct_d _f th_y _r_ _ff_r_d th_m f_v_ t_ t_n t_m_s. R_s__rch_rs s__d _v_n th_ f_ss__st _f __t_rs w_ll s_cc_mb t_ r_p__t_d _xp_s_r_ t_ v_g_t_bl_s. Th_s _s g__d n_ws f_r p_r_nts w_rr__d _b__t th__r ch_ldr_n's d__t_ry _nt_k_ _nd l_v_ls _f n_tr_t__n.

Th_ st_dy w_s c_nd_ct_d _n 332 ch_ldr_n _g_d b_tw__n f__r m_nths _nd thr__ y__rs fr_m Br_t__n, D_nm_rk _nd Fr_nc_. __ch ch_ld w_s g_v_n b_tw__n f_v_ _nd 10 s_rv_ngs _f _t l__st 100g _f _rt_ch_k_ p_r__. Th_ y__ng_r ch_ldr_n c_ns_m_d m_r_ _f th_ _rt_ch_k_ th_n th_ _ld_r ch_ldr_n. Pr_f_ss_r M_r__n H_th_r_ngt_n s__d: "_f th_y _r_ _nd_r tw_, th_y w_ll __t n_w v_g_t_bl_s b_c__s_ th_y t_nd t_ b_ w_ll_ng _nd _p_n t_ n_w _xp_r__nc_s. _ft_r 24 m_nths, ch_ldr_n b_c_m_ r_l_ct_nt t_ try n_w th_ngs _nd st_rt t_ r_j_ct f__ds - _v_n th_s_ th_y pr_v___sly l_k_d." Sh_ _dd_d: "_f y__ w_nt t_ _nc__r_g_ y__r ch_ldr_n t_ __t v_g_t_bl_s, m_k_ s_r_ y__ st_rt __rly _nd _ft_n."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

for many parents getting their kids to eat their greens is a constant battle it often seems that whatever vegetables are served up to young children they are refused with a vengeance this can lead to young ones adopting poor diets a new study from the university of leeds in the uk suggests parents can train their children to like vegetables the study showed that children under the age of two can get to like vegetables they initially rejected if they are offered them five to ten times researchers said even the fussiest of eaters will succumb to repeated exposure to vegetables this is good news for parents worried about their children's dietary intake and levels of nutrition

the study was conducted on 332 children aged between four months and three years from britain denmark and france each child was given between five and 10 servings of at least 100g of artichoke puree the younger children consumed more of the artichoke than the older children professor marion hetherington said "if they are under two they will eat new vegetables because they tend to be willing and open to new experiences after 24 months children become reluctant to try new things and start to reject foods - even those they previously liked" she added "if you want to encourage your children to eat vegetables make sure you start early and often"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Formanyparents,gettingtheirkidstoeattheirgreensisaconstantbat
tle.Itoftenseemsthatwhatevervegetablesareserveduptoyoungchil
dren,theyarerefusedwithavengeance.Thiscanleadtoyoungonesad
optingpoordiets.AnewstudyfromtheUniversityofLeedsintheU.K.su
ggestsparentscantraintheirchildrentolikevegetables.Thestudysho
wedthatchildrenundertheageoftwocangettolikevegetablestheyini
tiallyrejectediftheyareofferedthemfivetotentimes.Researcherssai
deventhefussiestofeaterswillsuccumbtorepeatedexposuretovege
tables.Thisisgoodnewsforparentsworriedabouttheirchildren'sdiet
aryintakeandlevelsofnutrition.Thestudywasconductedon332child
renagedbetweenfourmonthsandthreeyearsfromBritain,Denmark
andFrance.Eachchildwasgivenbetweenfiveand10servingsofatleas
t100gofartichokepuree.Theyoungerchildrenconsumedmoreofthe
artichokethantheolderchildren.ProfessorMarionHetheringtonsaid
:"Iftheyareundertwo,theywilleatnewvegetablesbecausetheytend
tobewillingandopentonewexperiences.After24months,childrenbe
comereluctanttotrynewthingsandstarttorejectfoods-eventhose
theypreviouslyliked."Sheadded:"Ifyouwanttoencourageyourchild
rentoeatvegetables,makesureyoustartearlyandoften."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Compare and contrast fruit and vegetables. Which do you prefer? Why?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

HOMEWORK

1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google's search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.

2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about children and vegetables. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. VEGETABLES: Make a poster about vegetables. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. KIDS: Write a magazine article about training kids to eat vegetables. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.

Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).

5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.

6. LETTER: Write a letter to a nutrition expert. Ask him/her three questions about vegetables. Give him/her three ideas on how to get kids to eat more. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

Also...

Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

  • News
  • Warm ups
  • Pre-reading / Post-reading
  • Using headlines
  • Working with words
  • While-reading / While-listening
  • Moving from text to speech
  • Post-reading / Post-listening
  • Discussions
  • Using opinions
  • Plans
  • Language
  • Using lists
  • Using quotes
  • Task-based activities
  • Role plays
  • Using the central characters in the article
  • Using themes from the news
  • Homework

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

T

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

constant

a.

never-ending

2.

refused

b.

turned down

3.

lead to

c.

result in

4.

initially

d.

at first

5.

succumb

e.

give in

6.

conducted

f.

carried out

7.

consumed

g.

ate

8.

willing

h.

ready

9.

reluctant

i.

not in favour of

10.

encourage

j.

urge

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Getting kids to eat greens

2.

Vegetables

3.

Under the age of two

4.

The fussiest of eaters

5.

Their children's dietary intake

6.

332

7.

100g

8.

Younger children

9.

From 24 months

10.

Early

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

Help Support This Web Site

  • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

Sean Banville's Book

Thank You