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Sexist poll says women moody 10 days a year (24th September, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Researchers who claim women are grumpy for the equivalent of ten days a year have been called sexist by the London newspaper 'Metro'. A vitamin company called Healthspan conducted the survey, which involved interviewing 1,000 women and 1,000 men about what affects their mood. The study said in a typical week, the average woman reckons she spends around five hours in a bad mood. 'Metro' issued an article attacking the study for being "incredibly" and "extraordinarily" sexist. It reported that the study was, "carried out by scientists who could have been spending their time doing something useful". It added the study reinforced sexist stereotypes of women being over-emotional.

Psychotherapist Sally Brown, a spokeswoman for Healthspan, said: "Moods are a barometer of our overall well being. The research shows both men and women are susceptible to being in a bad mood from time to time." She added that: "Women crave 'me time' and men tend to rely on their partners to help lift them out of their moods." Ms Brown commented on causes for women becoming moody, saying: "Everyday challenges from bad traffic to failing technology can tip women into a bad mood." Other bad-mood triggers the survey highlighted include feeling fat, worrying about money, breaking a nail, fearing their partners were 'not listening' and bad weather.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/21/incredibly-sexist-study-finds-women-are-all-really-moody-and-breaking-a-nail-ruins-their-day-4876723/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/11112652/Women-spend-10-days-every-year-grumpy-survey-finds.html

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. MOODINESS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about moodiness. Change partners often and share your findings.

2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?

grumpy / equivalent / vitamin / mood / a typical week / sexist / stereotypes / psychotherapist / barometer / susceptible / crave / everyday challenges / triggers

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

3. BAD MOOD TRIGGERS: Do these affect you? How do you deal with them? Complete this table and share what you wrote with your partner(s). Change partners often.

Trigger	How does it affect you?	How do you deal with it?
Being overweight
Not having enough money
Failing technology
Facebook comments
Traffic
Having a bad-hair day

4. MOODIER: Students A strongly believe men are moodier than women; Students B strongly believe the opposite. 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. BAD MOOD: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to get out of a bad mood at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• chocolate

• a walk

• Facebook

• shopping

• exercise

• music

• a movie

• sleep

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

BAD-MOOD TRIGGERS

28 Triggers for a bad mood, according to the study.

Complete the table and talk to your partner(s) about it.

Trigger	Is this you?	How to get over it?
Partner not listening
Feeling under the weather
Weather/ bad weather
Not having enough money
Technology
Feeling undervalued
No one helping with anything
Having nothing to wear
Having a bad hair day
Keeping on top of housework
A boring life
Heavy workload
The traffic
Colleagues not helping
Being hungry
Children not listening
Public transport being late
Hating your job
Waking up with a spot
Knowing what to cook
Pressure from your boss
Rubbish on TV
Ungrateful children
Your friends' Facebook
Colleagues being late for work
No one making you a drink
Breaking a nail
Being overweight

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	Researchers say women get grumpy for ten days in a row.	T / F
b.	Research on bad moods was conducted by a vitamin company.	T / F
c.	The study found women are in a bad mood for 5 hours a week.	T / F
d.	A newspaper said the study reinforced sexist stereotypes of women.	T / F
e.	A psychotherapist said moods are a thermometer of our well being.	T / F
f.	A spokeswoman said men really craved 'me time'.	T / F
g.	The woman said bad traffic and technology make women moody.	T / F
h.	The study said bad moods were triggered in women by highlights.	T / F

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

1.	grumpy	a.	prompts
2.	conducted	b.	strengthened
3.	affects	c.	moody
4.	reckons	d.	health
5.	reinforced	e.	believes
6.	well being	f.	long for
7.	susceptible	g.	carried out
8.	crave	h.	focused on
9.	triggers	i.	influences
10.	highlighted	j.	prone to

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

1.	grumpy for the equivalent	a.	sexist
2.	around five hours	b.	of their moods
3.	"incredibly" and "extraordinarily"	c.	stereotypes of women
4.	spending their time	d.	our overall well being
5.	reinforced sexist	e.	in a bad mood
6.	Moods are a barometer of	f.	'me time'
7.	susceptible to	g.	of ten days a year
8.	Women crave	h.	the survey highlighted
9.	lift them out	i.	being in a bad mood
10.	Other bad-mood triggers	j.	doing something useful

GAP FILL

Researchers who (1) ____________ women are grumpy for the equivalent of ten days a year have been called sexist by the London newspaper 'Metro'. A vitamin company called Healthspan (2) ____________ the survey, which involved interviewing 1,000 women and 1,000 men about what (3) ____________ their mood. The study said in a (4) ____________ week, the average woman (5) ____________ she spends around five hours in a bad mood. 'Metro' issued an article attacking the study for being "(6) ____________ " and "extraordinarily" sexist. It reported that the study was, "(7) ____________ out by scientists who could have been spending their time doing something useful". It added the study (8) ____________ sexist stereotypes of women being over-emotional.

typical
claim
reckons
carried
affects
reinforced
conducted
incredibly

Psychotherapist Sally Brown, a spokeswoman for Healthspan, said: "Moods are a (9) ____________ of our overall well being. The research shows both men and women are (10) ____________ to being in a bad mood from time to time." She added that: "Women crave 'me time' and men (11) ____________ to rely on their partners to help lift them out of their moods." Ms Brown commented on (12) ____________ for women becoming moody, saying: "Everyday (13) ____________ from bad traffic to (14) ____________ technology can tip women into a bad mood." Other bad-mood (15) ____________ the survey highlighted include feeling fat, worrying about money, breaking a (16) ____________, fearing their partners were 'not listening' and bad weather.

tend
barometer
failing
nail
causes
susceptible
triggers
challenges

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	Researchers who claim women are grumpy for the ______ ten days a year
	a. equivalent for b. equivalents of c. equivalence for d. equivalent of
2)	A vitamin company called Healthspan ______
	a. conduct it the survey b. conducted a survey c. conducted the survey d. conduct it a survey
3)	the average woman reckons she spends around five hours ______
	a. on a bad mood b. in a bad mood c. in the bad mood d. on the bad mood
4)	attacking the study for being "incredibly" and ______
	a. "extraordinaire" really sexist b. "extraordinary" really sexist c. "extraordinarily" really sexist d. "extraordinarily" sexist
5)	It added the study reinforced ______ of women
	a. sexist stereotypes b. sexism stereotypes c. sexiest stereotypes d. sex is stereotypes
6)	Moods are a barometer of our ______
	a. overalls well being b. overall well being c. overawe well being d. over all well being
7)	women are susceptible to being in a bad mood from ______
	a. time to time b. time the time c. time two time d. time up time
8)	She added that: "Women crave 'me time' and men tend to ______ partners"
	a. rely in their b. rely an their c. rely on their d. relying their
9)	challenges from bad traffic to failing technology ______ into a bad mood
	a. can tip women b. can top women c. can tap women d. can tab women
10)	Other bad-mood triggers the survey highlighted ______
	a. includes feeling fat b. included feeling fat c. include feeling fat d. including feeling fat

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Researchers who claim women are grumpy (1) ___________________ of ten days a year have been called sexist by the London newspaper 'Metro'. A vitamin company called Healthspan (2) ___________________, which involved interviewing 1,000 women and 1,000 men (3) ___________________ their mood. The study said (4) ___________________, the average woman reckons she spends around five hours in a bad mood. 'Metro' issued an article attacking the study for being "incredibly" and (5) ___________________. It reported that the study was, "carried out by scientists who could have been spending their time doing something useful". It added the study reinforced sexist stereotypes of women (6) ___________________.

Psychotherapist Sally Brown, a spokeswoman for Healthspan, said: "Moods are a (7) ___________________ well being. The research shows both men and women (8) ___________________ being in a bad mood from time to time." She added that: "Women (9) ___________________ and men tend to rely on their partners to help lift them out of their moods." Ms Brown (10) ___________________ for women becoming moody, saying: "Everyday challenges from bad traffic to failing technology can tip women into a bad mood." Other (11) ___________________ the survey highlighted include feeling fat, worrying about money, (12) ___________________, fearing their partners were 'not listening' and bad weather.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What is the name of the newspaper in the article?
2.	What kind of company conducted the research?
3.	For how long each week is the average woman in a mood?
4.	What did the newspaper suggest the researchers could be doing?
5.	What did the newspaper say the study reinforced?
6.	What did a psychotherapist say moods were?
7.	How often did a psychotherapist say moods affected man and women?
8.	What kind of challenges did Sally Brown mention?
9.	What else was highlighted in the survey?
10.	What did the study say women feared about their partners?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What is the name of the newspaper in the article?	6.	What did a psychotherapist say moods were?
	a) Tunnel b) Cosmo c) Metro d) Subway		a) a speedometer b) a barometer c) a radiator d) a thermometer
2.	What kind of company conducted the research?	7.	How often did a psychotherapist say moods affected man and women?
	a) a vitamin company b) a meditation company c) a newspaper d) a website hosting company		a) every now and then b) daily c) once in a blue moon d) from time to time
3.	For how long each week is the average woman in a mood?	8.	What kind of challenges did Sally Brown mention?
	a) 8 hours b) 7 hours c) 6 hours d) 5 hours		a) exciting ones b) everyday challenges c) insurmountable challenges d) mundane ones
4.	What did the newspaper suggest the researchers could be doing?	9.	What else was highlighted in the survey?
	a) psychotherapy b) something useful c) training d) research on men		a) bad-mood triggers b) money c) men getting angry d) the power of vitamins
5.	What did the newspaper say the study reinforced?	10.	What did the study say women feared about their partners?
	a) concrete b) knowledge of moods c) sexist stereotypes of women d) how hit-an-miss studies are		a) being bored b) domestic violence c) infidelity d) not being listened to

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Being overweight

You think being overweight is the biggest trigger for bad moods. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't really reasons for bad moods. Also, tell the others which of these needn't lead to bad moods (and why): not knowing what to wear, being hungry or your friends' Facebook updates.

Role B – Not knowing what to wear

You think not knowing what to wear is the biggest trigger for bad moods. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't really reasons for bad moods. Also, tell the others which of these needn't lead to bad moods (and why): being overweight, being hungry or your friends' Facebook updates.

Role C – Being hungry

You think being hungry is the biggest trigger for bad moods. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't really reasons for bad moods. Also, tell the others which of these needn't lead to bad moods (and why): not knowing what to wear, being overweight or your friends' Facebook updates.

Role D – Your friends' Facebook updates

You think your friends' Facebook updates are the biggest trigger for bad moods. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't really reasons for bad moods. Also, tell the others which of these needn't lead to bad moods (and why): not knowing what to wear, being hungry or being overweight.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

moody

grumpy

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:

claim
conducted
affects
five
spending
over

well being
susceptible
me
traffic
triggers
listening

MOODINESS SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about moodiness 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.

MOODINESS DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'moody'?
3)	How moody are you?
4)	What things put you in a bad mood?
5)	Do you think 5 hours a week for women to be moody is right?
6)	Is this a useful study?
7)	Could the researchers have spent their time doing more useful things?
8)	Does a study like this reinforce sexist stereotypes?
9)	Why did the article focus on women and not men?
10)	Are women moodier than men, or is it the other way round?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	How much are "moods are a barometer of our overall well being"?
12)	Whose moods are worse, men's or women's?
14)	When and why do you crave 'me time'?
15)	Do men rely more on partners to help them out of their moods?
16)	Are men or women more affected by triggers mentioned in the article?
17)	What do you do when someone is in a mood?
18)	What's the biggest bad mood you've ever had?
19)	What do you do to come out of a bad mood?
20)	What questions would you like to ask 'Metro' newspaper?

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

Researchers who claim women are grumpy for the (1) ____ of ten days a year have been called sexist by the London newspaper 'Metro'. A vitamin company called Healthspan conducted the survey, which (2) ____ interviewing 1,000 women and 1,000 men about what affects their mood. The study said in a (3) ____ week, the average woman (4) ____ she spends around five hours in a bad mood. 'Metro' issued an article attacking the study for being "incredibly" and "extraordinarily" sexist. It reported that the study was, "carried (5) ____ by scientists who could have been spending their time doing something useful". It added the study (6) ____ sexist stereotypes of women being over-emotional.

Psychotherapist Sally Brown, a spokeswoman for Healthspan, said: "Moods are a (7) ____ of our overall well being. The research shows both men and women are susceptible (8) ____ being in a bad mood from time to time." She added that: "Women crave 'me time' and men tend to rely (9) ____ their partners to help lift them out of their moods." Ms Brown commented on causes for women becoming moody, saying: "Everyday challenges from bad traffic to failing technology can (10) ____ women into a bad mood." Other bad-mood (11) ____ the survey highlighted include feeling fat, worrying about money, breaking a (12) ____, fearing their partners were 'not listening' and bad weather.

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

1.	(a)	equipment	(b)	equilibrium	(c)	equidistant	(d)	equivalent
2.	(a)	repudiated	(b)	mentioned	(c)	carried	(d)	involved
3.	(a)	topical	(b)	typical	(c)	tropical	(d)	typifying
4.	(a)	counts	(b)	regards	(c)	reckons	(d)	computes
5.	(a)	out	(b)	in	(c)	off	(d)	over
6.	(a)	reinforced	(b)	weathered	(c)	marshaled	(d)	elongated
7.	(a)	diameter	(b)	thermometer	(c)	speedometer	(d)	barometer
8.	(a)	to	(b)	at	(c)	on	(d)	in
9.	(a)	to	(b)	on	(c)	in	(d)	at
10.	(a)	rip	(b)	dip	(c)	tip	(d)	nip
11.	(a)	bullets	(b)	sights	(c)	triggers	(d)	barrels
12.	(a)	tack	(b)	nail	(c)	screw	(d)	pin

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	the eeatulqvni of ten days a year
2.	A nivaimt company called Healthspan
3.	in a iylctap week
4.	lirtaedxnrariyo sexist
5.	the study reinforced sexist orsysetetpe
6.	women being over-iotomlaen
Paragraph 2
7.	Moods are a tbromraee
8.	our ollaver well being
9.	ptcilusebes to being in a bad mood
10.	Women rvaec 'me time'
11.	Everyday lecgsalneh
12.	Other bad-mood igerstrg

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	Psychotherapist Sally Brown, a spokeswoman for Healthspan, said: "Moods are a barometer
( )	a bad mood. 'Metro' issued an article attacking the study for being "incredibly" and
( 1 )	Researchers who claim women are grumpy for the equivalent of ten days a year have been called
( )	doing something useful". It added the study reinforced sexist stereotypes of women being over-emotional.
( )	"extraordinarily" sexist. It reported that the study was, "carried out by scientists who could have been spending their time
( )	of our overall well being. The research shows both men and women are susceptible to being in a bad mood from time
( )	sexist by the London newspaper 'Metro'. A vitamin company called Healthspan conducted
( )	a nail, fearing their partners were 'not listening' and bad weather.
( )	triggers the survey highlighted include feeling fat, worrying about money, breaking
( )	challenges from bad traffic to failing technology can tip women into a bad mood." Other bad-mood
( )	to time." She added that: "Women crave 'me time' and men tend to rely on their partners to help lift
( )	the survey, which involved interviewing 1,000 women and 1,000 men about what affects their
( )	them out of their moods." Ms Brown commented on causes for women becoming moody, saying: "Everyday
( )	mood. The study said in a typical week, the average woman reckons she spends around five hours in

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	for of grumpy equivalent days are the ten Women .
2.	bad She five a around in mood spends hours .
3.	an issued 'Metro' study the attacking article .
4.	their doing useful Spending time something .
5.	reinforced study The women of stereotypes sexist .
6.	a our being are of well Moods barometer overall .
7.	mood bad a in being to Susceptible time to time . from
8.	moods out help their of lift partners Rely their them to on.
9.	mood into can a tip Failing . bad women technology
10.	triggers Other the bad survey - highlighted mood .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Researchers who claim women are grumpy for the equinox / equivalent of ten days a year have been called sexist / sexism by the London newspaper 'Metro'. A vitamin company called Healthspan conducted / composed the survey, which involving / involved interviewing 1,000 women and 1,000 men about what affects / effects their mood. The study said in a typically / typical week, the average woman beckons / reckons she spends around five hours in / on a bad mood. 'Metro' issued an article attacking the study for being "incredibly" and "extraordinarily" sexist. It reported that the study was, "carried in / out by scientists who could have been spending their time doing something useful". It added the study reinforced / reinforcement sexist stereotypes of women being over-emotional.

Psychotherapist Sally Brown, a spokeswoman for Healthspan, said: "Moods are a barometer / thermometer of our overall well been / being. The research shows both men and women are susceptibility / susceptible to being in a bad mood from time to hour / time." She added that: "Women crave 'me time' / 'us' time' and men tend to rely on / in their partners to help lift them out of their moods." Ms Brown commented on cases / causes for women becoming moody, saying: "Everyday challenges / challenged from bad traffic to failing technology can tip / top women into a bad mood." Other bad-mood triggers the survey highlighted include feeling fat, worrying about money, breaking a hammer / nail, fearing their partners were 'not listening' and bad weather.

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)

R_s__rch_rs wh_ cl__m w_m_n _r_ gr_mpy f_r th_ _q__v_l_nt _f t_n d_ys _ y__r h_v_ b__n c_ll_d s_x_st by th_ L_nd_n n_wsp_p_r 'M_tr_'. _ v_t_m_n c_mp_ny c_ll_d H__lthsp_n c_nd_ct_d th_ s_rv_y, wh_ch _nv_lv_d _nt_rv__w_ng 1,000 w_m_n _nd 1,000 m_n _b__t wh_t _ff_cts th__r m__d. Th_ st_dy s__d _n _ typ_c_l w__k, th_ _v_r_g_ w_m_n r_ck_ns sh_ sp_nds _r__nd f_v_ h__rs _n _ b_d m__d. 'M_tr_' _ss__d _n _rt_cl_ _tt_ck_ng th_ st_dy f_r b__ng "_ncr_d_bly" _nd "_xtr__rd_n_r_ly" s_x_st. _t r_p_rt_d th_t th_ st_dy w_s, "c_rr__d __t by sc__nt_sts wh_ c__ld h_v_ b__n sp_nd_ng th__r t_m_ d__ng s_m_th_ng _s_f_l". _t _dd_d th_ st_dy r__nf_rc_d s_x_st st_r__typ_s _f w_m_n b__ng _v_r-_m_t__n_l.

Psych_th_r_p_st S_lly Br_wn, _ sp_k_sw_m_n f_r H__lthsp_n, s__d: "M__ds _r_ _ b_r_m_t_r _f __r _v_r_ll w_ll b__ng. Th_ r_s__rch sh_ws b_th m_n _nd w_m_n _r_ s_sc_pt_bl_ t_ b__ng _n _ b_d m__d fr_m t_m_ t_ t_m_." Sh_ _dd_d th_t: "W_m_n cr_v_ 'm_ t_m_' _nd m_n t_nd t_ r_ly _n th__r p_rtn_rs t_ h_lp l_ft th_m __t _f th__r m__ds." Ms Br_wn c_mm_nt_d _n c__s_s f_r w_m_n b_c_m_ng m__dy, s_y_ng: "_v_ryd_y ch_ll_ng_s fr_m b_d tr_ff_c t_ f__l_ng t_chn_l_gy c_n t_p w_m_n _nt_ _ b_d m__d." _th_r b_d-m__d tr_gg_rs th_ s_rv_y h_ghl_ght_d _ncl_d_ f__l_ng f_t, w_rry_ng _b__t m_n_y, br__k_ng _ n__l, f__r_ng th__r p_rtn_rs w_r_ 'n_t l_st_n_ng' _nd b_d w__th_r.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

researchers who claim women are grumpy for the equivalent of ten days a year have been called sexist by the london newspaper 'metro' a vitamin company called healthspan conducted the survey which involved interviewing 1000 women and 1000 men about what affects their mood the study said in a typical week the average woman reckons she spends around five hours in a bad mood 'metro' issued an article attacking the study for being "incredibly" and "extraordinarily" sexist it reported that the study was "carried out by scientists who could have been spending their time doing something useful" it added the study reinforced sexist stereotypes of women being over-emotional

psychotherapist sally brown a spokeswoman for healthspan said "moods are a barometer of our overall well being the research shows both men and women are susceptible to being in a bad mood from time to time" she added that "women crave 'me time' and men tend to rely on their partners to help lift them out of their moods" ms brown commented on causes for women becoming moody saying "everyday challenges from bad traffic to failing technology can tip women into a bad mood" other bad-mood triggers the survey highlighted include feeling fat worrying about money breaking a nail fearing their partners were 'not listening' and bad weather

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Researcherswhoclaimwomenaregrumpyfortheequivalentoften
daysayearhavebeencalledsexistbytheLondonnewspaper'Metro
'.AvitamincompanycalledHealthspanconductedthesurvey,whic
hinvolvedinterviewing1,000womenand1,000menaboutwhataf
fectstheirmood.Thestudysaidinatypicalweek,theaveragewom
anreckonsshespendsaroundfivehoursinabadmood.'Metro'issu
edanarticleattackingthestudyforbeing"incredibly"and"extraor
dinarily"sexist.Itreportedthatthestudywas,"carriedoutbyscien
tistswhocouldhavebeenspendingtheirtimedoingsomethinguse
ful".Itaddedthestudyreinforcedsexiststereotypesofwomenbein
gover-emotional.PsychotherapistSallyBrown,aspokeswom
anforHealthspan,said:"Moodsareabarometerofouroverallwellb
eing.Theresearchshowsbothmenandwomenaresusceptibletob
einginabadmoodfromtimetotime."Sheaddedthat:"Womencrav
e'metime'andmentendtorelyontheirpartnerstohelpliftthemout
oftheirmoods."MsBrowncommentedoncausesforwomenbecom
ingmoody,saying:"Everydaychallengesfrombadtraffictofailing
technologycantipwomenintoabadmood."Otherbad-moodtrig
gersthesurveyhighlightedincludefeelingfat,worryingaboutmon
ey,breakinganail,fearingtheirpartnerswere'notlistening'andba
dweather.

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Men are grumpier than women. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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 moodiness in men and women. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. MOODINESS: Make a poster about moodiness and how to overcome it. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. GRUMPY: Write a magazine article about men and women being grumpy. Include imaginary interviews with people who think men are grumpier, and with people who think women are grumpier.

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 an expert on moods. Ask him/her three questions about moodiness. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to get out of a bad mood. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	grumpy	a.	moody
2.	conducted	b.	carried out
3.	affects	c.	influences
4.	reckons	d.	believes
5.	reinforced	e.	strengthened
6.	well being	f.	health
7.	susceptible	g.	prone to
8.	crave	h.	long for
9.	triggers	i.	prompts
10.	highlighted	j.	focused on

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Metro
2.	A vitamin company
3.	5 hours
4.	Something useful
5.	Sexist stereotypes of women
6.	A barometer of our well being
7.	From time to time
8.	Everyday challenges
9.	Bad-mood triggers
10.	Not being listened to

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

d

4.

b

5.

c

6.

d

7.

b

8.

d

9.

a

10.

d

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

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

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Sexist poll says women moody 10 days a year (24th September, 2014)

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