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Children worrying about their body image (25th March, 2013)

A survey of English schoolchildren shows boys and girls are worrying about the way they look. The study found that over half of male schoolchildren lacked confidence because of their body shape. The figure for girls was slightly higher, at 59 per cent. Researchers questioned 693 teachers about how their students felt about their bodies. All the children had taken lessons on body image and self-esteem. Teachers said many children were very upset if others said bad things about their appearance. Around 55 per cent of teachers reported that girls were "ultra-sensitive" to comments about their looks; the figure for boys being easily hurt by taunts or teasing was 27 per cent.


 

Teachers gave a number of reasons why children as young as four years old are stressing out about their shape. Over 90 per cent of teachers blame the Internet and television. Children see images of "perfect" bodies every day and they feel they have to look that way too. Almost 30 per cent of teachers said their female students used sunbeds or sprays to look suntanned. Many children are on diets to make themselves attractive to the opposite sex. One elementary school teacher said: "I work with four to five-year-olds and some say things like, 'I can't eat cheese, it will make me fat'". A teachers' spokeswoman warned that children trying to look like "airbrushed celebrities in the media only leads to misery".

Sources:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-21864312
http://news.sky.com/story/1068688/body-image-four-year-olds-feeling-pressure


 
 

WARM-UPS

1. BODY IMAGE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about body image. 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.

 

survey / schoolchildren / confidence / body shape / self-esteem / appearance / teasing / stressing out / blame / suntanned / diets / the opposite sex / airbrushed / misery

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

3. CONFIDENCE: How can people become more confident? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Your confidence level

How to increase confidence

Speaking English

 

 

Taking exams

 

 

Job interviews

 

 

Presentations

 

 

In yourself

 

 

Dating

 

 

4. "PERFECT" BODIES: Students A strongly believe it's good to have people with "perfect" bodies in adverts; Students B strongly believe people with average bodies should be in ads.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.



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5. BODY WORRIES: What do you worry about most? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the biggest worries at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • body shape
  • teeth
  • nose
  • skin
  • stomach
  • bottom
  • muscles
  • wrinkles

6. APPEARANCE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word 'appearance'. 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 American school kids worry about their body shape.

T / F

b.

Just over 50 per cent of boys worry because of their bodies.

T / F

c.

The study interviewed 693 boys and girls about their bodies.

T / F

d.

Over half of teachers said girls were hurt by comments on their body.

T / F

e.

Teachers said kids start worrying about their body from the age of 4.

T / F

f.

Teachers said around 30% of girls use products to get a suntan.

T / F

g.

Kids diet to look better in front of other kids.

T / F

h.

A head teacher said airbrushed photos of celebrities are good for kids.

T / F

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

1.

slightly

a.

easily upset

2.

appearance

b.

making fun of

3.

self-esteem

c.

representative

4.

sensitive

d.

point the finger at

5.

teasing

e.

a little

6.

shape

f.

good-looking

7.

blame

g.

unhappiness

8.

attractive

h.

looks

9.

spokeswoman

i.

figure

10.

misery

j.

self-respect

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

1.

worrying about the way

a.

the Internet

2.

male schoolchildren lacked

b.

higher

3.

slightly

c.

out about their shape

4.

children had taken lessons on body image

d.

celebrities

5.

easily hurt by taunts

e.

they look

6.

stressing

f.

to the opposite sex

7.

teachers blame

g.

and self-esteem

8.

Many children are on

h.

or teasing

9.

make themselves attractive

i.

diets

10.

airbrushed

j.

confidence

 

GAP FILL

A (1) ____________ of English schoolchildren shows boys and girls are worrying about the way they (2) ____________. The study found that over half of male schoolchildren                      (3) ____________ confidence because of their body shape. The figure for girls was (4) ____________ higher, at 59 per cent. Researchers questioned 693 teachers about how their students felt about their bodies. All the children had taken lessons on body image and (5) ____________ -esteem. Teachers said many children were very upset if others said bad things about their     (6) ____________. Around 55 per cent of teachers reported that girls were "ultra-(7) ____________ " to comments about their looks; the figure for boys being easily hurt by taunts or             (8) ____________ was 27 per cent.

 

 

 

appearance
slightly
teasing
look
survey
sensitive
self
lacked

Teachers gave a (9) ____________ of reasons why children as young as four years old are stressing (10) ____________ about their shape. Over 90 per cent of teachers blame the Internet and television. Children see images of "(11) ____________ " bodies every day and they feel they have to look that way too. Almost 30 per cent of teachers said their female students used sunbeds or (12) ____________ to look suntanned. Many children are on diets to make themselves attractive to the (13) ____________ sex. One elementary school teacher said: "I work with four to five-year-olds and some say things (14) ____________, 'I can't eat cheese, it will make me fat'". A teachers' spokeswoman warned that children trying to look like "(15) ____________ celebrities in the media only leads to (16) ____________ ".

 

 

like
sprays
out
airbrushed
perfect
misery
number
opposite

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

boys and girls are worrying about ______

 

a.  the way they looking
b.  the way they looked
c.  the way they look
d.  the way they looks

2)

The study found that over half of male schoolchildren ______

 

a.  lacked confidants
b.  lacked confidence
c.  lacked confidences
d.  lacked confident

3)

Researchers questioned 693 teachers about how their students felt ______

 

a.  about their bodies
b.  about them bodies
c.  about these bodies
d.  about their body

4)

children were very upset if others said bad things ______

 

a.  about their appearances
b.  about that appearance
c.  about their disappearance
d.  about their appearance

5)

the figure for boys being easily hurt by ______ was 27 per cent

 

a.  taunting or teasing
b.  taunts or teases
c.  taunts and teasing
d.  taunts or teasing

6)

children as young as four years old ______

 

a.  are stressing about
b.  are stress in out
c.  are stressing out
d.  are stressed out

7)

they feel they have ______

 

a.  to look that way too
b.  to look this way too
c.  to look that way two
d.  to look that weigh too

8)

Many children are on diets to make themselves attractive _______

 

a.  to the opposite sex
b.  to the opposites sex
c.  to the opposite sexes
d.  to the positive sex

9)

I can't eat cheese, it will ______

 

a.  make us fat
b.  make me fatter
c.  make me fat
d.  make us fatter

10)

airbrushed celebrities in the media only ______

 

a.  leads to miserly
b.  leads to miseries
c.  leads to mystery
d.  leads to misery

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

(1) ________________________ schoolchildren shows boys and girls are worrying about (2) ________________________. The study found that over half of male schoolchildren lacked confidence because of their body shape. The figure for girls (3) ________________________ 59 per cent. Researchers questioned 693 teachers about how their students felt about their bodies. All the children had taken lessons on body image and self-esteem. Teachers said many children were very (4) ___________________ things about their appearance. Around 55 per cent of teachers reported that girls were "ultra-(5) ________________________ about their looks; the figure for boys being easily hurt (6) ________________________ was 27 per cent.

Teachers gave a number of reasons why children (7) __________________ are stressing out about their shape. Over 90 per cent of teachers blame the Internet and television. Children see (8) ________________________ every day and they feel they (9) ________________________. Almost 30 per cent of teachers said their female students used sunbeds or sprays to look suntanned. Many children are on diets to (10) ____________________ to the opposite sex. One elementary school teacher said: "I work with four to five-year-olds and (11) ________________________, 'I can't eat cheese, it will make me fat'". A teachers' spokeswoman warned that children trying to look like "airbrushed celebrities in the (12) _______________________".

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

In which country did people survey boys and girls?

2.

How many boys lacked confidence because of the way they look?

3.

What kind of lessons had the children taken?

4.

Who was "ultra-sensitive" about comments on looks?

5.

What percentage of boys were hurt by teasing?

6.

How young were some of the children who stressed out?

7.

What two things did teachers blame?

8.

What do children see images of every day?

9.

Why do some children diet?

10.

What did a teacher say leads to misery?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

In which country did people survey boys and girls?

6.

How young were some of the children who stressed out?

 

a) the USA
b) England
c) Russia
d) Brazil

 

a) 4
b) 5
c) 6
d) 7

2.

How many boys lacked confidence because of the way they look?

7.

What two things did teachers blame?

 

a) 49%
b) less than half
c) lots
d) over 50%

 

a) parents and teachers
b) older students and siblings
c) Internet and TV
d) singers and actors

3.

What kind of lessons had the children taken?

8.

What do children see images of every day?

 

a) body image and self-esteem
b) how to diet
c) exercise
d) personality

 

a) "perfect" bodies
b) fast food
c) happy couples
d) straight, white teeth

4.

Who was "ultra-sensitive" about comments on looks?

9.

Why do some children diet?

 

a) teachers
b) boys
c) girls
d) parents

 

a) to look good to other boys/girls
b) their parents told them
c) it's a school rule
d) so they can join sports competitions

5.

What was the percentage of boys hurt by teasing?

10.

What did a teacher say leads to misery?

 

a) 26
b) 27
c) 28
d) 29

 

a) boyfriends and girlfriends
b) too many calories
c) school
d) airbrushed photos of famous people

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Teacher

You are very sad that young children are worried about their body shape. You are angry at the advertising industry. Tell the others three reasons why. Ask advertisers why they always have "perfect" bodies in their ads. Ask them what they think about kids lacking confidence.

Role  B – 8-year-old

You hate your body. You want to look like your favourite pop star or one of the models in the ads on TV. Ask your teacher how you can be more confident. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell him/her that it is important you look good and say why.

Role  C – Advertising executive

You understand the world is not full of people with "perfect" bodies, but you need attractive models in your ads to sell things. Tell the others that teachers and parents are also to blame for kids' lack of confidence. Tell the others three reasons why.

Role  D – Parent

You are worried about your 10-year-old son. He has lost interest in studying. All he thinks about is expensive fashion and trying to be like the models on TV. Tell the advertising exec that (s)he is helping to make kids less confident. Tell him/her to use normal people in ads.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

body

image

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • survey
  • half
  • slightly
  • upset
  • comments
  • hurt
  • number
  • blame
  • 30
  • opposite
  • cheese
  • media

BODY IMAGE SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about body image 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.

BODY IMAGE 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 term 'body image'?

c)

Do you worry about your body image?

d)

What do you think about schoolchildren worrying about their looks?

e)

Do you think what this study found is new?

f)

How would you feel if someone teased you about your body or face?

g)

What do you think of children having lessons about body image?

h)

Were you teased at school?

i)

What did you worry about most when you were 6, 10, 14…?

j)

What would tell a child who is worried about his /her body shape?

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

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

What do elementary school children in your country stress out about?

c)

Do images on TV make people think less of themselves?

d)

Do you look at pictures of models and feel bad about your body?

e)

Is there such a thing as a "perfect" body?

f)

What should teachers / schools do to make kids more confident?

g)

Is it bad for kids to use suntan sprays and sunbeds?

h)

Is it bad for kids to diet to look like their thin idols?

i)

Should advertising companies stop airbrushing photos of models?

j)

What questions would you like to ask a worried child?

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.

________________________________________________________

MULTIPLE CHOICE - LANGUAGE

A survey of English schoolchildren shows boys and girls are (1) ____ about the way they look. The study found that over half of male schoolchildren (2) ____ confidence because of their body shape. The (3) ____ for girls was slightly higher, at 59 per cent. Researchers questioned 693 teachers about how their students felt about their bodies. All the children had taken lessons on body image and (4) ____-esteem. Teachers said many children were very (5) ____ if others said bad things about their appearance. Around 55 per cent of teachers reported that girls were "ultra-(6) ____ " to comments about their looks; the figure for boys being easily hurt by taunts or teasing was 27 per cent.

Teachers gave a (7) ____ of reasons why children as young as four years old are stressing out about their shape. Over 90 per cent of teachers (8) ____ the Internet and television. Children see images of "perfect" bodies every day and they feel they have to look (9) ____ way too. Almost 30 per cent of teachers said their female students used sunbeds or sprays to look suntanned. Many children are (10) ____ diets to make themselves attractive to the (11) ____ sex. One elementary school teacher said: "I work with four to five-year-olds and some say things like, 'I can't eat cheese, it will make me fat'". A teachers' spokeswoman warned that children trying to look like "airbrushed celebrities in the media only leads to (12) ____ ".

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

1.

(a)

worries

(b)

worry

(c)

worriers

(d)

worrying

2.

(a)

leaked

(b)

liked

(c)

looked

(d)

lacked

3.

(a)

statue

(b)

figure

(c)

model

(d)

idol

4.

(a)

own

(b)

my

(c)

self

(d)

I

5.

(a)

onset

(b)

inset

(c)

upset

(d)

asset

6.

(a)

sensitive

(b)

sensitize

(c)

sensitivity

(d)

sensitivities

7.

(a)

numeral

(b)

number

(c)

figure

(d)

unit

8.

(a)

blame

(b)

flame

(c)

lame

(d)

frame

9.

(a)

such

(b)

that

(c)

thus

(d)

so

10.

(a)

in

(b)

at

(c)

on

(d)

of

11.

(a)

facing

(b)

enemy

(c)

opposite

(d)

differing

12.

(a)

miserable

(b)

miserly

(c)

mystery

(d)

misery

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

A evusyr of English schoolchildren

2.

The figure for girls was ygthlisl higher

3.

body image and esfl-steeme

4.

others said bad things about their eapceaanrp

5.

girls were ultra-niesivste to comments about their looks

6.

easily hurt by taunts or sanietg

Paragraph 2

7.

ssstrigne out about their shape

8.

efrpcet bodies

9.

children are on diets to make themselves aaeitttrvc

10.

the oepoitps sex

11.

neleatyrem school

12.

look like airbrushed cbilireetse

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

they look. The study found that over half of male schoolchildren lacked confidence because of their body

(    )

esteem. Teachers said many children were very upset if others said bad things about their appearance. Around

(    )

55 per cent of teachers reported that girls were "ultra-sensitive" to comments about their looks; the figure

(    )

Teachers gave a number of reasons why children as young as four years old are stressing

(    )

felt about their bodies. All the children had taken lessons on body image and self-

(    )

students used sunbeds or sprays to look suntanned. Many children are on diets to make themselves attractive to the opposite

(    )

things like 'I can't eat cheese, it will make me fat'". A teachers' spokeswoman

(    )

for boys being easily hurt by taunts or teasing was 27 per cent.

(    )

sex. One elementary school teacher said: "I work with four to five-year-olds and some say

1  )

A survey of English schoolchildren shows boys and girls are worrying about the way

(    )

out about their shape. Over 90 per cent of teachers blame the Internet and television. Children see images of

(    )

shape. The figure for girls was slightly higher, at 59 per cent. Researchers questioned 693 teachers about how their students

(    )

warned that children trying to look like "airbrushed celebrities in the media only leads to misery".

(    )

"perfect" bodies every day and they feel they have to look that way too. Almost 30 per cent of teachers said their female

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

the    way    they    look    Boys    and    girls    are    worrying    about.    

2.

confidence     Schoolchildren     their     because     lacked    body     of.    

3.

children     lessons     image     the     taken     body     All     had     on.    

4.

if     bad     Children     upset     said    very    others    things     were.    

5.

their    looks    Girls    were     ultra-sensitive     to    comments   about.    

6.

stressing    out    Children    as    young    as    four   years    old    are.    

7.

per     the     teachers     Over     Internet     cent     90     blame     of.    

8.

way     They     have     that     they     look     too     feel     to.    

9.

to     diets     attractive     on     themselves     are     make     Children.    

10.

year     -     olds     I     work     with     four     to     five     -.    

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

A survey / surveillance of English schoolchildren shows boys and girls are worrying / worries about the way they look. The study found that over half of male schoolchildren looked / lacked confidence because of their body shape. The figure / statue for girls was slightly higher, at 59 per cent. Researchers questioned / questioning 693 teachers about how their students felt about their bodies. All the children had taken lessons in / on body image and self-esteem. Teachers said many children were very onset / upset if others said bad things about their appearance / appear. Around 55 per cent of teachers reported that girls were "ultra-sensitive" of / to comments about their looks; the figure for boys being / were easily hurt by taunts or teasing was 27 per cent.

Teachers gave a number of / for reasons why children as young as four years old are stressing out / in about their shape. Over 90 per cent of teachers blame / blaming the Internet and television. Children see images of "perfect" bodies every day and they feel they have / must to look that way too. Almost 30 per cent of teachers said their female students used sunbeds or sprays to look / looking suntanned. Many children are on diets to make themselves attraction / attractive to the opposite sex. One elementary school teacher said: "I work with / for four to five-year-olds and some say things like, 'I can't eat cheese, it will make / look me fat'". A teachers' spokeswoman warning / warned that children trying to look like "airbrushed celebrities in the media only leads to misery / miserable".

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)

_ s_rv_y _f _ngl_sh sch__lch_ldr_n sh_ws b_ys _nd g_rls _r_ w_rry_ng _b__t th_ w_y th_y l__k. Th_ st_dy f__nd th_t _v_r h_lf _f m_l_ sch__lch_ldr_n l_ck_d c_nf_d_nc_ b_c__s_ _f th__r b_dy sh_p_. Th_ f_g_r_ f_r g_rls w_s sl_ghtly h_gh_r, _t 59 p_r c_nt. R_s__rch_rs q__st__n_d 693 t__ch_rs _b__t h_w th__r st_d_nts f_lt _b__t th__r b_d__s. _ll th_ ch_ldr_n h_d t_k_n l_ss_ns _n b_dy _m_g_ _nd s_lf-_st__m. T__ch_rs s__d m_ny ch_ldr_n w_r_ v_ry _ps_t _f _th_rs s__d b_d th_ngs _b__t th__r _pp__r_nc_. _r__nd 55 p_r c_nt _f t__ch_rs r_p_rt_d th_t g_rls w_r_ "_ltr_-s_ns_t_v_" t_ c_mm_nts _b__t th__r l__ks; th_ f_g_r_ f_r b_ys b__ng __s_ly h_rt by t__nts _r t__s_ng w_s 27 p_r c_nt.

T__ch_rs g_v_ _ n_mb_r _f r__s_ns why ch_ldr_n _s y__ng _s f__r y__rs _ld _r_ str_ss_ng __t _b__t th__r sh_p_. _v_r 90 p_r c_nt _f t__ch_rs bl_m_ th_ _nt_rn_t _nd t_l_v_s__n. Ch_ldr_n s__ _m_g_s _f "p_rf_ct" b_d__s _v_ry d_y _nd th_y f__l th_y h_v_ t_ l__k th_t w_y t__. _lm_st 30 p_r c_nt _f t__ch_rs s__d th__r f_m_l_ st_d_nts _s_d s_nb_ds _r spr_ys t_ l__k s_nt_nn_d. M_ny ch_ldr_n _r_ _n d__ts t_ m_k_ th_ms_lv_s _ttr_ct_v_ t_ th_ _pp_s_t_ s_x. _n_ _l_m_nt_ry sch__l t__ch_r s__d: "_ w_rk w_th f__r t_ f_v_-y__r-_lds _nd s_m_ s_y th_ngs l_k_, '_ c_n't __t ch__s_, _t w_ll m_k_ m_ f_t'". _ t__ch_rs' sp_k_sw_m_n w_rn_d th_t ch_ldr_n try_ng t_ l__k l_k_ "__rbr_sh_d c_l_br_t__s _n th_ m_d__ _nly l__ds t_ m_s_ry".

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

a survey of english schoolchildren shows boys and girls are worrying about the way they look the study found that over half of male schoolchildren lacked confidence because of their body shape the figure for girls was slightly higher at 59 per cent researchers questioned 693 teachers about how their students felt about their bodies all the children had taken lessons on body image and self-esteem teachers said many children were very upset if others said bad things about their appearance around 55 per cent of teachers reported that girls were "ultra-sensitive" to comments about their looks the figure for boys being easily hurt by taunts or teasing was 27 per cent

teachers gave a number of reasons why children as young as four years old are stressing out about their shape over 90 per cent of teachers blame the internet and television children see images of "perfect" bodies every day and they feel they have to look that way too almost 30 per cent of teachers said their female students used sunbeds or sprays to look suntanned many children are on diets to make themselves attractive to the opposite sex one elementary school teacher said "i work with four to five-year-olds and some say things like 'i can't eat cheese it will make me fat'" a teachers' spokeswoman warned that children trying to look like "airbrushed celebrities in the media only leads to misery"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

AsurveyofEnglishschoolchildrenshowsboysandgirlsareworryingabouttheway
theylook.Thestudyfoundthatoverhalfofmaleschoolchildrenlackedconfidence
becauseoftheirbodyshape.Thefigureforgirlswasslightlyhigher,at59percent.
Researchersquestioned693teachersabouthowtheirstudentsfeltabouttheir
bodies.Allthechildrenhadtakenlessonsonbodyimageandself-esteem.Teachers
saidmanychildrenwereveryupsetifotherssaidbadthingsabouttheirappearance.
Around55percentofteachersreportedthatgirlswere"ultra-sensitive"tocomments
abouttheirlooks;thefigureforboysbeingeasilyhurtbytauntsorteasingwas27
percent.Teachersgaveanumberofreasonswhychildrenasyoungasfouryearsold
arestressingoutabouttheirshape.Over90percentofteachersblametheInternet
andtelevision.Childrenseeimagesof"perfect"bodieseverydayandtheyfeelthey
havetolookthatwaytoo.Almost30percentofteacherssaidtheirfemalestudents
usedsunbedsorspraystolooksuntanned.Manychildrenareondietstomake
themselvesattractivetotheoppositesex.Oneelementaryschoolteachersaid:
"Iworkwithfourtofive-year-oldsandsomesaythingslike,'Ican'teatcheese,
itwillmakemefat'".Ateachers'spokeswomanwarnedthatchildrentryingtolook
like"airbrushedcelebritiesinthemediaonlyleadstomisery".

FREE WRITING

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

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ACADEMIC WRITING

There is no such thing as a perfect figure.   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 children and how they worry about their body image. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. BODY IMAGE: Make a poster about body image. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. KIDS: Write a magazine article about how kids try too hard to look like people on TV or the Internet. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against it.

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 child expert. Ask him/her three questions about children worrying about their body image. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to help children. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

T

f

F

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

slightly

a.

a little

2.

appearance

b.

looks

3.

self-esteem

c.

self-respect

4.

sensitive

d.

easily upset

5.

teasing

e.

making fun of

6.

shape

f.

figure

7.

blame

g.

point the finger at

8.

attractive

h.

good-looking

9.

spokeswoman

i.

representative

10.

misery

j.

unhappiness

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

England

2.

More than half

3.

Lessons on body image and self-esteem

4.

Girls

5.

27

6.

Four

7.

The Internet and TV

8.

"Perfect" bodies

9.

To look attractive to the opposite sex

10.

Airbrushed celebrities

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

a

7.

c

8.

a

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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