The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Scientists have discovered that staying in the cold could help us lose weight. Researchers at the University of California found that exposure to the cold increases levels of a protein that helps form brown fat - the type of fat that generates heat and keeps us warm. Brown fat burns energy, which helps us lose weight. White fat stores excess energy, which results in weight gain. The researchers said that because air conditioning and heating give us constant, comfortable temperatures, our body's need for brown fat has decreased. They found that: "Outdoor workers in northern Finland who are exposed to cold temperature have a significant amount of brown fat when compared to same-aged indoor workers."

The research was conducted on two different control groups of mice. One group was injected with the protein that helps create brown fat. This group subsequently gained 30 per cent less weight after both groups were fed high-fat diets. The researchers say this could be good news in the fight against obesity. People who are obese have lower levels of brown fat than thinner people. Head researcher Hei Sook Sul said: "This protein could become an important target for research into the treatment and prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases." She added: "If you can somehow increase levels of this protein…you could possibly lose more weight even if eating the same amount of food."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 4  or  Level 5

Sources
  • http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-01-trigger-energy-burning-brown-fat-chill.html
  • https://www.yahoo.com/health/science-gives-us-a-potential-new-reason-to-love-107512716382.html
  • http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20150108/cooler-temps-may-boost-calorie-burning-brown-fat-mouse-study-suggests


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. THE COLD: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the cold. 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?

 

the cold / lose weight / exposure / heat / protein / air conditioning / temperatures / control groups / high-fat diets / obesity / treatment / prevention / diseases / food

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

3. WEATHER: How could people lose weight outside in these weather conditions? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Activities

Benefits

Dangers

Snow

 

 

 

Heavy rain

 

 

 

Strong winds

 

 

 

Freezing cold

 

 

 

Boiling hot

 

 

 

Changeable weather

 

 

 

4. OUTDOORS: Students A strongly believe working outdoors is better than working indoors; 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. LOSING WEIGHT: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to lose weight at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • work in the cold

  • eat less food

  • yoga

  • sauna workout

  • swim

  • weight training

  • fast for two days a week

  • no sweet food

6. FAT: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "fat". 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.

Researchers at Chicago University found the cold helps us lose weight.

T / F

b.

Brown fat helps us lose weight.

T / F

c.

The use of air conditioning has reduced the amount of our brown fat.

T / F

d.

People who work outdoors have less brown fat than office workers.

T / F

e.

Mice with the new protein gained 30% less weight than mice without it.

T / F

f.

Obese people have lower levels of brown fat.

T / F

g.

A researcher said the protein would be no good to tackle obesity.

T / F

h.

The researcher said you would have to have the protein and eat less.

T / F

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

1.

discovered

a.

carried out

2.

exposure

b.

produces

3.

form

c.

in some way

4.

generates

d.

found

5.

significant

e.

later

6.

conducted

f.

quantity

7.

subsequently

g.

subjection

8.

fight

h.

notable

9.

somehow

i.

battle

10.

amount

j.

make

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

1.

exposure

a.

to cold temperature

2.

the type of fat that generates

b.

eating the same amount

3.

White fat stores excess energy,

c.

two different control groups

4.

exposed

d.

to the cold

5.

a significant

e.

with the protein

6.

conducted on

f.

heat

7.

One group was injected

g.

prevention of obesity

8.

both groups were fed

h.

amount of brown fat

9.

the treatment and

i.

high-fat diets

10.

lose more weight even if

j.

which results in weight gain

GAP FILL

Scientists have discovered that staying in the (1) ____________ could help us lose weight. Researchers at the University of California found that exposure to the cold increases (2) ____________ of a protein that helps form brown fat - the type of fat that generates (3) ____________ and keeps us warm. Brown fat burns energy, which helps us lose weight. White fat stores (4) ____________ energy, which results in weight gain. The researchers said that because air conditioning and heating give us (5) ____________, comfortable temperatures, our body's need for brown fat has (6) ____________. They found that: "Outdoor workers in northern Finland who are (7) ____________ to cold temperature have a significant amount of brown fat when compared to same-aged (8) ____________ workers."

 

 

heat
cold
constant
exposed
levels
excess
indoor
decreased

The research was (9) ____________ on two different control groups of mice. One group was injected with the protein that helps create brown fat. This group (10) ____________ gained 30 per cent less weight after both groups were fed high-fat (11) ____________. The researchers say this could be good (12) ____________ in the fight against obesity. People who are obese have lower levels of brown fat than (13) ____________ people. Head researcher Hei Sook Sul said: "This protein could become an important (14) ____________ for research into the treatment and prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases." She added: "If you can (15) ____________ increase levels of this protein…you could possibly lose more weight even if eating the same (16) ____________ of food."

 

news
conducted
somehow
diets
subsequently
amount
thinner
target

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Scientists have discovered that staying in the cold could help ____

 

a.  us all lose weight
b.  us to lose weight
c.  us lose some weight
d.  us lose weight

2)

exposure to the cold increases ____

 

a.  levels of one protein
b.  levels of this protein
c.  levels of the protein
d.  levels of a protein

3)

the type of fat that generates heat and ____

 

a.  keeps us warmth
b.  keeps us warmly
c.  keeps us warm
d.  keeps us warmed

4)

our body's need for brown ______

 

a.  fat has deceased
b.  fat has decrease
c.  fat has decreasing
d.  fat has decreased

5)

a significant amount of brown fat when compared to same-______

 

a.  aged indoor workers
b.  aging indoor workers
c.  ages indoor workers
d.  age indoor workers

6)

The research was conducted on two different control ______

 

a.  groups of mice
b.  groups of moose
c.  groups of mouse
d.  groups of mouths

7)

One group was injected with the protein that helps ______

 

a.  created brown fat
b.  create brown fat
c.  creates brown fat
d.  creativity brown fat

8)

The researchers say this could be good news in the ______

 

a.  freight against obesity
b.  flight against obesity
c.  fight against obesity
d.  fright against obesity

9)

This protein could become an important ______

 

a.  targets for research
b.  target for research
c.  targeted for research
d.  targeting for research

10)

you could possibly lose more weight even if eating the same ______

 

a.  amount of food
b.  amounts of food
c.  amount for food
d.  amounts for food

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists have discovered that staying (1) ___________________ help us lose weight. Researchers at the University of California found that exposure to the cold (2) ___________________ a protein that helps form brown fat - the type of fat that (3) ___________________ keeps us warm. Brown fat burns energy, which helps us lose weight. White fat stores excess energy, which (4) ___________________ gain. The researchers said that because air conditioning and heating give us constant, comfortable temperatures, our body's need for brown (5) ___________________. They found that: "Outdoor workers in northern Finland (6) ___________________ cold temperature have a significant amount of brown fat when compared to same-aged indoor workers."

The research was conducted on two different (7) ___________________ mice. One group was injected with the protein that helps create brown fat. This group (8) ___________________ 30 per cent less weight after both groups were fed high-fat diets. The researchers say (9) ___________________ news in the fight against obesity. People who are obese have lower levels of brown fat (10) ___________________. Head researcher Hei Sook Sul said: "This protein could become an important target for research into the treatment (11) ___________________ obesity and obesity-related diseases." She added: "If you can somehow increase levels of this protein…you could (12) ___________________ weight even if eating the same amount of food."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

Who discovered that the cold has a part to play in weight loss?

2.

What did researchers find the cold increased levels of?

3.

What does white fat do to excess energy?

4.

What other thing besides air conditioning has decreased brown fat?

5.

Where do outdoor workers have more brown fat than indoor workers?

6.

In what kind of animals were the tests conducted?

7.

How much less weight did the animals with the new protein gain?

8.

For whom might this research be good news?

9.

Who is Hei Sook Sul?

10.

What could you do even while eating the same amount of food?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

Who discovered that the cold has a part to play in weight loss?

6.

In what kind of animals were the tests conducted?

 

a) people living in Siberia
b) people in cold countries
c) obese people
d) scientists

 

a) monkeys
b) moose
c) mice
d) moles

2.

What did researchers find the cold increased levels of?

7.

How much less weight did the animals with the new protein gain?

 

a) white fat
b) a protein
c) cold
d) colds

 

a) 30%
b) 40%
c) 50%
d) 60%

3.

What does white fat do to excess energy?

8.

For whom might this research be good news?

 

a) nothing
b) burn it
c) turn it into brown fat
d) store it

 

a) fast food restaurant owners
b) pharmacists
c) obese people
d) website hosts

4.

What other thing besides air conditioning has decreased brown fat?

9.

Who is Hei Sook Sul?

 

a) saunas
b) ice cream
c) heating
d) cold weather

 

a) a test participant
b) head researcher
c) head of The Protein Society
d) a drug company CEO

5.

Where do outdoor workers have more brown fat than indoor workers?

10.

What could you do even while eating the same amount of food?

 

a) Patagonia
b) northern Canada
c) Siberia
d) Finland

 

a) lose weight
b) exercise
c) double your white fat
d) drink less

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Work in the cold

You think working in the cold is the best thing to do to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): yoga, weight training or no sweet food.

Role  B – Yoga

You think yoga is the best thing to do to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): working in the cold, weight training or no sweet food.

Role  C – Weight training

You think weight training is the best thing to do to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): yoga, working in the cold or no sweet food.

Role  D – No sweet food

You think no sweet food is the best thing to do to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't so good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why):  yoga, weight training or working in the cold.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

lose

 

weight

 

 

  • 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:

  • exposure
  • levels
  • excess
  • air
  • need
  • indoor
  • different
  • 30
  • news
  • thinner
  • target
  • amount

THE COLD SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about the cold 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.

THE COLD 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 'cold'?

3)

What do you think about what you read?

4)

Do you think cold weather can help us lose weight?

5)

What part does shivering have to play in weight loss?

6)

Would you spend longer in the cold to lose weight?

7)

What do you know about the different kinds of fat in our body?

8)

Should we use air-con and heating less?

9)

Would it be better if we all worked outside?

10)

Are people who live in colder climates thinner?

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

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

11)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

12)

Would you like to take this protein?

13)

How often do you think about your weight?

14)

How do you like the cold and cold weather?

15)

What's the coldest you've ever been?

16)

Do you think this research will help with obesity?

17)

What can we do to enjoy being in the cold more often?

18)

Have you ever been on a diet?

19)

Would you like to eat more and not put on weight?

20)

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

Scientists have (1) ____ that staying in the cold could help us lose weight. Researchers at the University of California found that (2) ____ to the cold increases levels of a protein that helps form brown fat - the type of fat that generates (3) ____ and keeps us warm. Brown fat burns energy, which helps us lose weight. White fat stores (4) ____ energy, which results in weight gain. The researchers said that because air conditioning and heating give us constant, comfortable temperatures, our body's (5) ____ for brown fat has decreased. They found that: "Outdoor workers in northern Finland who are exposed (6) ____ cold temperature have a significant amount of brown fat when compared to same-aged indoor workers."

The research was conducted (7) ____ two different control groups of mice. One group was injected (8) ____ the protein that helps create brown fat. This group subsequently gained 30 per cent less weight after both groups were fed high-fat diets. The researchers say this could be good news in the fight against obesity. People who are (9) ____ have lower levels of brown fat than thinner people. Head researcher Hei Sook Sul said: "This protein could become an important target for research into the treatment and (10) ____ of obesity and obesity-related diseases." She added: "If you can (11) ____ increase levels of this protein…you could possibly lose more weight (12) ____ if eating the same amount of food."

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

1.

(a)

discovered

(b)

discovery

(c)

discover

(d)

discovering

2.

(a)

exposed

(b)

exposes

(c)

exposure

(d)

exposing

3.

(a)

heated

(b)

heating

(c)

heat

(d)

heater

4.

(a)

success

(b)

recess

(c)

access

(d)

excess

5.

(a)

need

(b)

needy

(c)

needless

(d)

needing

6.

(a)

at

(b)

to

(c)

for

(d)

by

7.

(a)

of

(b)

at

(c)

by

(d)

on

8.

(a)

by

(b)

with

(c)

on

(d)

at

9.

(a)

obesity

(b)

obesogenic

(c)

obese

(d)

obvious

10.

(a)

prevarication

(b)

protection

(c)

production

(d)

prevention

11.

(a)

someplace

(b)

sometime

(c)

somewhat

(d)

somehow

12.

(a)

eventually

(b)

even

(c)

event

(d)

evens

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

eruesxpo to the cold

2.

a roetipn that helps form brown fat

3.

fat that tgaeserne heat

4.

White fat stores ecssxe energy

5.

cold eptertmurea

6.

a fagisnicnit amount of brown fat

Paragraph 2

7.

One group was nticdjee

8.

This group eentbsyluqus gained 30% less

9.

the fight against bsioyet

10.

Head eshaercrer

11.

treatment and iteevonnrp

12.

lose more iegwht

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

of California found that exposure to the cold increases levels of a protein that helps form brown fat - the type of fat that

(    )

generates heat and keeps us warm. Brown fat burns energy, which helps us lose

(    )

decreased. They found that: "Outdoor workers in northern Finland who are exposed

(    )

with the protein that helps create brown fat. This group subsequently gained 30 per cent less weight

(    )

levels of this protein…you could possibly lose more weight even if eating the same amount of food."

(    )

to cold temperature have a significant amount of brown fat when compared to same-aged indoor workers."

1  )

Scientists have discovered that staying in the cold could help us lose weight. Researchers at the University

(    )

after both groups were fed high-fat diets. The researchers say this could be good news in the

(    )

fight against obesity. People who are obese have lower levels of brown fat than thinner people. Head

(    )

weight. White fat stores excess energy, which results in weight gain. The researchers said that because air

(    )

and prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases." She added: "If you can somehow increase

(    )

researcher Hei Sook Sul said: "This protein could become an important target for research into the treatment

(    )

The research was conducted on two different control groups of mice. One group was injected

(    )

conditioning and heating give us constant, comfortable temperatures, our body's need for brown fat has

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

lose    Staying    cold    us    the    help    weight    in    could    .   

2.

to    increases    a    Exposure    cold    of    the    levels    protein    .   

3.

,  energy  excess  stores  fat   White  gain   weight   in  results  which  .

4.

body's    has    need    decreased    for    brown    Our    fat    .   

5.

fat    brown    of    amount    significant    a    Have    .   

6.

research  on   control   The   conducted  different   was   two  groups   .

7.

with    that    brown    Injected    protein    create    the    helps    fat   .   

8.

group    30    less   This    gained   cent   subsequently   per   weight   .

9.

have    lower   levels    of    brown   fat    People   who    are   obese    .   

10.

eating   if   even   weight   more  Lose   food   of  amount   same  the  .

 

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Scientists have discovered / discovering that staying in the cold could help us lose weight. Researchers at the University of California found that exposure / exposed to the cold increases levels by / of a protein that helps form brown fat - the type of fat that generates heating / heat and keeps us warm. Brown fat burns energy, which helps us lose / losing weight. White fat stores excess / access energy, which results in weight gain. The researchers said that because air conditioning and heating give / gives us constant, comfortable temperatures, our body's need for / from brown fat has decreased. They found that: "Outdoor workers in northern Finland who are exposed to / for cold temperature have a significant amount of brown fat when compared to / for same-aged indoor workers."

The research was conducted on / in two different control groups of mice. One group was injection / injected with the protein that helps create brown fat. This group subsequent / subsequently gained 30 per cent less weight after both groups were feeding / fed high-fat diets. The researchers say this could be good news in the fight for / against obesity. People who are obese have lower levels / level of brown fat than thinner people. Head researcher Hei Sook Sul said: "This protein could become an important / importance target for research into the treatment and prevention of obesity and obesity-related / relation diseases." She added: "If you can somehow increase levels of this protein…you could possible / possibly lose more weight even if eating the same amount / mountain of food."

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)

Sc__nt_sts h_v_ d_sc_v_r_d th_t st_y_ng _n th_ c_ld c__ld h_lp _s l_s_ w__ght. R_s__rch_rs _t th_ _n_v_rs_ty _f C_l_f_rn__ f__nd th_t _xp_s_r_ t_ th_ c_ld _ncr__s_s l_v_ls _f _ pr_t__n th_t h_lps f_rm br_wn f_t - th_ typ_ _f f_t th_t g_n_r_t_s h__t _nd k__ps _s w_rm. Br_wn f_t b_rns _n_rgy, wh_ch h_lps _s l_s_ w__ght. Wh_t_ f_t st_r_s _xc_ss _n_rgy, wh_ch r_s_lts _n w__ght g__n. Th_ r_s__rch_rs s__d th_t b_c__s_ __r c_nd_t__n_ng _nd h__t_ng g_v_ _s c_nst_nt, c_mf_rt_bl_ t_mp_r_t_r_s, __r b_dy's n__d f_r br_wn f_t h_s d_cr__s_d. Th_y f__nd th_t: "__td__r w_rk_rs _n n_rth_rn F_nl_nd wh_ _r_ _xp_s_d t_ c_ld t_mp_r_t_r_ h_v_ _ s_gn_f_c_nt _m__nt _f br_wn f_t wh_n c_mp_r_d t_ s_m_-_g_d _nd__r w_rk_rs."

Th_ r_s__rch w_s c_nd_ct_d _n tw_ d_ff_r_nt c_ntr_l gr__ps _f m_c_. _n_ gr__p w_s _nj_ct_d w_th th_ pr_t__n th_t h_lps cr__t_ br_wn f_t. Th_s gr__p s_bs_q__ntly g__n_d 30 p_r c_nt l_ss w__ght _ft_r b_th gr__ps w_r_ f_d h_gh-f_t d__ts. Th_ r_s__rch_rs s_y th_s c__ld b_ g__d n_ws _n th_ f_ght _g__nst _b_s_ty. P__pl_ wh_ _r_ _b_s_ h_v_ l_w_r l_v_ls _f br_wn f_t th_n th_nn_r p__pl_. H__d r_s__rch_r H__ S__k S_l s__d: "Th_s pr_t__n c__ld b_c_m_ _n _mp_rt_nt t_rg_t f_r r_s__rch _nt_ th_ tr__tm_nt _nd pr_v_nt__n _f _b_s_ty _nd _b_s_ty-r_l_t_d d_s__s_s." Sh_ _dd_d: "_f y__ c_n s_m_h_w _ncr__s_ l_v_ls _f th_s pr_t__n…y__ c__ld p_ss_bly l_s_ m_r_ w__ght _v_n _f __t_ng th_ s_m_ _m__nt _f f__d."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

scientists have discovered that staying in the cold could help us lose weight researchers at the university of california found that exposure to the cold increases levels of a protein that helps form brown fat - the type of fat that generates heat and keeps us warm brown fat burns energy which helps us lose weight white fat stores excess energy which results in weight gain the researchers said that because air conditioning and heating give us constant comfortable temperatures our body's need for brown fat has decreased they found that "outdoor workers in northern finland who are exposed to cold temperature have a significant amount of brown fat when compared to same-aged indoor workers"

the research was conducted on two different control groups of mice one group was injected with the protein that helps create brown fat this group subsequently gained 30 per cent less weight after both groups were fed high-fat diets the researchers say this could be good news in the fight against obesity people who are obese have lower levels of brown fat than thinner people head researcher hei sook sul said "this protein could become an important target for research into the treatment and prevention of obesity and obesity-related diseases" she added "if you can somehow increase levels of this protein…you could possibly lose more weight even if eating the same amount of food"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Scientistshavediscoveredthatstayinginthecoldcouldhelpusloseweig
ht.ResearchersattheUniversityofCaliforniafoundthatexposuretothe
coldincreaseslevelsofaproteinthathelpsformbrownfat-thetypeo
ffatthatgeneratesheatandkeepsuswarm.Brownfatburnsenergy,whi
chhelpsusloseweight.Whitefatstoresexcessenergy,whichresultsinw
eightgain.Theresearcherssaidthatbecauseairconditioningandheatin
ggiveusconstant,comfortabletemperatures,ourbody'sneedforbrow
nfathasdecreased.Theyfoundthat:"OutdoorworkersinnorthernFinla
ndwhoareexposedtocoldtemperaturehaveasignificantamountofbro
wnfatwhencomparedtosame-agedindoorworkers."Theresearchwas
conductedontwodifferentcontrolgroupsofmice.Onegroupwasinjecte
dwiththeproteinthathelpscreatebrownfat.Thisgroupsubsequentlyga
ined30percentlessweightafterbothgroupswerefedhigh-fatdiets.The
researcherssaythiscouldbegoodnewsinthefightagainstobesity.Peop
lewhoareobesehavelowerlevelsofbrownfatthanthinnerpeople.Head
researcherHeiSookSulsaid:"Thisproteincouldbecomeanimportantta
rgetforresearchintothetreatmentandpreventionofobesityandobesit
y-relateddiseases."Sheadded:"Ifyoucansomehowincreaselevelso
fthisprotein…youcouldpossiblylosemoreweightevenifeatingthesam
eamountoffood."

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

We should use less heating to keep to a healthier weight. Discuss.

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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 the cold and losing weight. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. WEIGHT: Write a magazine article about the best ways to lose weight. Include imaginary interviews with people who want to lose weight and with people who have lost weight.

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 doctor. Ask him/her three questions about the cold and losing weight. Give him/her three ideas for things to do in the cold to lose weight. 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

F

e

T

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

discovered

a.

found

2

exposure

b.

subjection

3.

form

c.

make

4.

generates

d.

produces

5.

significant

e.

notable

6.

conducted

f.

carried out

7.

subsequently

g.

later

8.

fight

h.

battle

9.

somehow

i.

in some way

10.

amount

j.

quantity

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

Scientists (at the University of California)

2.

A protein (and brown fat)

3.

Store it

4.

Heating

5.

Finland

6.

Mice

7.

30%

8.

Obese people

9.

The head researcher

10.

Lose weight

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

d

2.

b

3.

d

4.

c

5.

d

6.

c

7.

a

8.

c

9.

b

10.

a

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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