The Reading / Listening - Level 3

One in three people born in the United Kingdom this year will suffer from dementia in their lifetime. Dementia is when the brain no longer works properly because of illness, old age or injury. People with dementia have problems remembering things. Their personality can change and they lose their ability to do many everyday tasks. A leading mental illness charity said dementia would affect 27 per cent of boys born in 2015 and 37 per cent of girls. The charity said that this could cause a health crisis as the population gets older. There is currently no effective treatment to slow down or stop dementia. The charity said governments must spend more on research.

A British expert on dementia spoke about how serious the problem could become. Dr Matthew Norton said: "As people are living longer, more and more people will develop dementia in the future if action is not taken now." He added: "Dementia is our greatest medical challenge and if we are to beat it, we must invest in research to find new treatments and preventions." Globally, dementia affects around 36 million people. About 10 per cent of people develop the disease at some point in their lives, but this figure will rise sharply as people live longer. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's. This is when the brain loses cells, which reduces the brain's ability to function properly.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://news.sky.com/story/1556117/looming-national-crisis-over-dementia
  • http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/sep/21/one-third-of-people-born-in-2015-will-develop-dementia
  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3242529/One-three-born-year-hit-dementia-Experts-warn-looming-national-health-crisis.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. THE BRAIN: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about the brain. 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?

 

one in three people / lifetime / brain / properly / injury / problems / mental illness / expert / problem / living longer / medical / challenge / treatments / common

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

3. BRAIN HELP: How can these things help the brain? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How it helps

How much it helps

Sleep

 

 

Food

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Reading

 

 

Music

 

 

Medicine

 

 

4. TREATMENT: Students A strongly believe scientists will find treatments for all mental diseases; Students B strongly believe otherwise.  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. GOOD FOR THE BRAIN: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things for your brain at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • 8 hours of sleep a night

  • studying English

  • eating fruit

  • coffee

  • playing the piano

  • watching cartoons

  • video games

  • laughter

6. BRAIN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "brain". 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 one in three British people have dementia.

T / F

b.

People with dementia have problems with their memory.

T / F

c.

Dementia will affect more British girls than boys.

T / F

d.

There are many drugs that can reverse the effects of dementia.

T / F

e.

An American doctor spoke about how serious dementia will become.

T / F

f.

A British doctor said dementia is the greatest medical challenge.

T / F

g.

About 36 million people around the world will get dementia.

T / F

h.

Alzheimer's causes the brain to lose cells.

T / F

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

1.

suffer from

a.

cures

2.

properly

b.

capability

3.

ability

c.

successful

4.

crisis

d.

problem

5.

effective

e.

correctly

6.

expert

f.

worldwide

7.

challenge

g.

emergency

8.

treatments

h.

specialist

9.

globally

i.

work

10.

function

j.

be affected by

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

1.

One in

a.

properly

2.

the brain no longer works

b.

in their lives

3.

everyday

c.

more on research

4.

There is currently no effective

d.

to function

5.

governments must spend

e.

on dementia

6.

A British expert

f.

treatment

7.

Dementia is our greatest medical

g.

and preventions

8.

find new treatments

h.

three people

9.

at some point

i.

tasks

10.

reduces the brain's ability

j.

challenge

GAP FILL

One in three people born in the United Kingdom this year will (1) _____ from dementia in their (2) _____. Dementia is when the brain no longer works properly because of illness, old age or injury. People with dementia have problems (3) _____ things. Their personality can change and they lose their ability to do many everyday (4) _____. A leading mental illness charity said dementia would (5) _____ 27 per cent of boys born in 2015 and 37 per cent of girls. The charity said that this could cause a health (6) _____ as the population gets older. There is currently no effective (7) _____ to slow down or stop dementia. The charity said governments must spend more on (8) _____.

 

 

tasks
suffer
crisis
remembering
research
lifetime
treatment
affect

A British expert on dementia spoke about how (9) _____ the problem could become. Dr Matthew Norton said: "As people are living (10) _____, more and more people will develop dementia in the future if action is not taken now." He added: "Dementia is our greatest medical (11) _____ and if we are to beat it, we must invest in research to find new (12) _____ and preventions." Globally, dementia affects around 36 million people. About 10 per cent of people develop the (13) _____ at some (14) _____ in their lives, but this figure will rise sharply as people live longer. The most (15) _____ form of dementia is Alzheimer's. This is when the brain loses cells, which reduces the brain's ability to (16) _____ properly.

 

treatments
point
longer
serious
function
challenge
common
disease

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)

Dementia is when the brain no longer works properly because of illness, ______

 

a.  old aged or injury
b.  old age or injured
c.  old age or injury
d.  olden age or injury

2)

Their personality can change and they lose their ability to do many ______

 

a.  everyday tusks
b.  everyday tasks
c.  everyday to asks
d.  every daily tasks

3)

The charity said that this could cause a health crisis as the ______

 

a.  population gets older
b.  population gets olden
c.  population gets colder
d.  population gets shoulder

4)

There is currently no effective treatment to slow down ______

 

a.  know stop dementia
b.  now stop dementia
c.  nor stop dementia
d.  or stop dementia

5)

The charity said governments must spend ______

 

a.  more on research
b.  more in research
c.  more of research
d.  more an research

6)

A British expert on dementia spoke about how serious the ______

 

a.  problem could become
b.  problem would become
c.  problem had become
d.  problem should become

7)

more and more people will develop dementia in the future if action ______

 

a.  is not taken now
b.  is not taking now
c.  is not take on now
d.  is not take in now

8)

He added: "Dementia is our greatest medical challenge and if we are to beat it, ______

 

a.  we must invests
b.  we must invest in
c.  we must invest
d.  we must investment

9)

About 10 per cent of people develop the disease at some ______

 

a.  point on the lives
b.  pointing their lives
c.  point in the lives
d.  point in their lives

10)

This is when the brain loses cells, which reduces the brain's ability ______

 

a.  two function properly
b.  too function properly
c.  true function properly
d.  to function properly

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

(1) ___________________ born in the United Kingdom this year will suffer from dementia in their lifetime. Dementia (2) ___________________ no longer works properly because of illness, old age or injury. People with dementia have problems (3) ___________________. Their personality can change and they lose their ability to do many everyday tasks. A leading mental illness charity said dementia (4) ___________________ per cent of boys born in 2015 and 37 per cent of girls. The charity said that this could (5) ___________________ as the population gets older. There is currently no effective treatment to slow down or stop dementia. The charity said governments (6) ___________________ research.

A British expert on dementia (7) ___________________ serious the problem could become. Dr Matthew Norton said: "As people are living longer, more and more people will develop dementia in (8) ___________________ is not taken now." He added: "Dementia (9) ___________________ medical challenge and if (10) ___________________, we must invest in research to find new treatments and preventions." Globally, dementia affects around 36 million people. About 10 per cent of people develop the disease at some (11) ___________________, but this figure will rise sharply as people live longer. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's. This is when the brain loses cells, (12) ___________________ brain's ability to function properly.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What proportion of people born in the UK this year will get dementia?

2.

What do people with dementia have problems doing?

3.

What kinds of tasks do people with dementia lose their ability to do?

4.

What percentage of girls born in the UK will get dementia?

5.

What did a charity say governments should spend more money on?

6.

Who spoke about the seriousness of dementia?

7.

When did Matthew Norton say action needed to be taken?

8.

What did Matthew Norton say was our greatest medical challenge?

9.

How many people around the world does dementia affect?

10.

What does Alzheimer's cause the brain to lose?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What proportion of people born in the UK this year will get dementia?

6.

Who spoke about the seriousness of dementia?

 

a) one and three
b) three in one
c) one in three
d) three and one

 

a) a charity worker
b) an expert
c) a patient
d) a journalist

2.

What do people with dementia have problems doing?

7.

When did Matthew Norton say action needed to be taken?

 

a) remembering things
b) having medicine
c) seeing a doctor
d) being injured

 

a) next year
b) within the next year
c) soon
d) now

3.

What kinds of tasks do people with dementia lose their ability to do?

8.

What did Matthew Norton say was our greatest medical challenge?

 

a) boring ones
b) everyday ones
c) long ones
d) many

 

a) research
b) dementia
c) investment
d) the future

4.

What percentage of girls born in the UK will get dementia?

9.

How many people around the world does dementia affect?

 

a) 17%
b) 27%
c) 47%
d) 37%

 

a) 36 billion
b) 36,000,000
c) 3,600,000
d) 36,000

5.

What did a charity say governments should spend more money on?

10.

What does Alzheimer's cause the brain to lose?

 

a) rehabilitation
b) hospitals
c) research
d) training

 

a) cells
b) colour
c) calories
d) creativity

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Sleep

You think sleep is the best thing for your brain. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why things aren't as good with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): studying English, laughter or video games.

Role  B – Studying English

You think studying English is the best thing for your brain. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why things aren't as good with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): sleep, laughter or video games.

Role  C – Laughter

You think laughter is the best thing for your brain. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why things aren't as good with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): studying English, sleep or video games.

Role  D – Video games

You think video games are the best things for your brain. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why things aren't as good with their things. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why):  studying English, laughter or sleep.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

illness

injury

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • three
  • longer
  • things
  • everyday
  • 37
  • spend
  • serious
  • action
  • challenge
  • 36
  • 10
  • cells

THE BRAIN SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about the brain 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 BRAIN 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 'brain'?

3)

What do you think about what you read?

4)

How is your brain function?

5)

How worried are you about dementia?

6)

How is your memory? Are you good at remembering things?

7)

What do you know about the brain's power?

8)

Why do you thinks dementia affects more women than men?

9)

What problems does an old population create?

10)

Why don't governments spend more money on dementia research?

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

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

11)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

12)

What can you do to keep your brain healthy?

13)

What kind of things do you forget?

14)

What kind of medical challenge is dementia?

15)

How can we help people with dementia?

16)

What more would you like to do with your brain?

17)

Will scientists find a cure for dementia one day?

18)

What care should governments provide for people with dementia?

19)

How would the world be different if we all lived to be 100?

20)

What questions would you like to ask the dementia expert?

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

One (1) ____ three people born in the United Kingdom this year will suffer from dementia in their lifetime. Dementia is when the brain no (2) ____ works properly because of illness, old age or (3) ____. People with dementia have problems remembering things. Their personality can change and they lose their (4) ____ to do many everyday tasks. A leading mental illness charity said dementia would affect 27 per cent of boys born in 2015 and 37 per cent of girls. The charity said that this could cause a health (5) ____ as the population gets older. There is currently no effective treatment to (6) ____ down or stop dementia. The charity said governments must spend more on research.

A British expert (7) ____ dementia spoke about how serious the problem could become. Dr Matthew Norton said: "(8) ____ people are living longer, more and more people will develop dementia in the future if action is not (9) ____ now." He added: "Dementia is our greatest medical challenge and if we are to (10) ____ it, we must invest in research to find new treatments and preventions." Globally, dementia affects around 36 million people. About 10 per cent of people develop the disease at some (11) ____ in their lives, but this figure will rise sharply as people live longer. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's. This is when the brain loses cells, which (12) ____ the brain's ability to function properly.

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

1.

(a)

by

(b)

to

(c)

on

(d)

in

2.

(a)

higher

(b)

stronger

(c)

wider

(d)

longer

3.

(a)

injured

(b)

injury

(c)

injure

(d)

injures

4.

(a)

able

(b)

abled

(c)

ability

(d)

enabled

5.

(a)

crisis

(b)

crises

(c)

cries

(d)

crisscross

6.

(a)

slow

(b)

end

(c)

reduce

(d)

finish

7.

(a)

to

(b)

at

(c)

by

(d)

on

8.

(a)

As

(b)

Was

(c)

Has

(d)

Is

9.

(a)

taking

(b)

taken

(c)

take on

(d)

takeover

10.

(a)

win

(b)

victory

(c)

beat

(d)

glory

11.

(a)

area

(b)

region

(c)

point

(d)

timely

12.

(a)

reductions

(b)

reduces

(c)

reducing

(d)

reduce

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

efsufr from dementia

2.

in their eiftmiel

3.

the brain no longer works oeylprrp

4.

because of illness, old age or jyruni

5.

cause a health isrics

6.

fifecvete treatment

Paragraph 2

7.

A British txerpe on dementia

8.

more people will lepodve dementia in the future

9.

our greatest medical cnleleahg

10.

we must invest in saerhcer

11.

this figure will rise asplyrh

12.

the brain's ability to nnfitcuo

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

beat it, we must invest in research to find new treatments and preventions." Globally, dementia affects

(    )

dementia have problems remembering things. Their personality can change and they lose their

(    )

become. Dr Matthew Norton said: "As people are living longer, more and more people will develop dementia in the

(    )

future if action is not taken now." He added: "Dementia is our greatest medical challenge and if we are to

1  )

One in three people born in the United Kingdom this year will suffer from dementia in their

(    )

figure will rise sharply as people live longer. The most common form of

(    )

around 36 million people. About 10 per cent of people develop the disease at some point in their lives, but this

(    )

crisis as the population gets older. There is currently no effective treatment to slow down or

(    )

born in 2015 and 37 per cent of girls. The charity said that this could cause a health

(    )

lifetime. Dementia is when the brain no longer works properly because of illness, old age or injury. People with

(    )

A British expert on dementia spoke about how serious the problem could

(    )

ability to do many everyday tasks. A leading mental illness charity said dementia would affect 27 per cent of boys

(    )

dementia is Alzheimer's. This is when the brain loses cells, which reduces the brain's ability to function properly.

(    )

stop dementia. The charity said governments must spend more on research.

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

works   Dementia   the   longer   when   no   properly   is   brain   .  

2.

things   remembering   problems   have   dementia   with   People   .  

3.

crisis   The   charity   said   that   this   could   cause   a   health   .  

4.

slow   stop   No   to   or   treatment   down   dementia   effective   .  

5.

charity  must   on   The  governments   more   said   spend  research   .

6.

people   the   will   future   develop   dementia   More   in   .  

7.

research   new   We   in   find   invest   to   treatments   must   .  

8.

rise   people   will   as   longer   figure   sharply   live   This   .  

9.

Alzheimer's   form   of   The   dementia   most   is   common   .  

10.

This   cells   loses   brain   the   when   is   .  

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

One in three people born / birth in the United Kingdom this year will suffer / suffered from dementia in their lifetime. Dementia is when the brain no longer / longing works properly because of illness, old age or injured / injury. People with dementia have problems remembering things. Their personality can change / chance and they lose their ability to do many everyday tasks / task. A leading mental illness charity said dementia would effect / affect 27 per cent of boys born in 2015 and 37 per cent of girls. The charity said that this could cause a healthy / health crisis as the population gets older. There is currently / currency no effective treatment to slow down or stop dementia. The charity said governments must spend more at / on research.

A British expert in / on dementia spoke about how seriously / serious the problem could become. Dr Matthew Norton said: "As people are living / lived longer, more and more people will development / develop dementia in the future if action is not taken / taking now." He added: "Dementia is our greatest medically / medical challenge and if we are to beat it, we must invest in research to find new treats / treatments and preventions." Globally, dementia affects around 36 million people. About 10 per cent of people develop the disease on / at some point in their lives, but this figure will raise / rise sharply as people live longer. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's. This is when the brain loses cells / rows, which reduces the brain's ability to function properly.

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)

_n_ _n thr__ p__pl_ b_rn _n th_ _n_t_d K_ngd_m th_s y__r w_ll s_ff_r fr_m d_m_nt__ _n th__r l_f_t_m_. D_m_nt__ _s wh_n th_ br__n n_ l_ng_r w_rks pr_p_rly b_c__s_ _f _lln_ss, _ld _g_ _r _nj_ry. P__pl_ w_th d_m_nt__ h_v_ pr_bl_ms r_m_mb_r_ng th_ngs. Th__r p_rs_n_l_ty c_n ch_ng_ _nd th_y l_s_ th__r _b_l_ty t_ d_ m_ny _v_ryd_y t_sks. _ l__d_ng m_nt_l _lln_ss ch_r_ty s__d d_m_nt__ w__ld _ff_ct 27 p_r c_nt _f b_ys b_rn _n 2015 _nd 37 p_r c_nt _f g_rls. Th_ ch_r_ty s__d th_t th_s c__ld c__s_ _ h__lth cr_s_s _s th_ p_p_l_t__n g_ts _ld_r. Th_r_ _s c_rr_ntly n_ _ff_ct_v_ tr__tm_nt t_ sl_w d_wn _r st_p d_m_nt__. Th_ ch_r_ty s__d g_v_rnm_nts m_st sp_nd m_r_ _n r_s__rch.

_ Br_t_sh _xp_rt _n d_m_nt__ sp_k_ _b__t h_w s_r___s th_ pr_bl_m c__ld b_c_m_. Dr M_tth_w N_rt_n s__d: "_s p__pl_ _r_ l_v_ng l_ng_r, m_r_ _nd m_r_ p__pl_ w_ll d_v_l_p d_m_nt__ _n th_ f_t_r_ _f _ct__n _s n_t t_k_n n_w." H_ _dd_d: "D_m_nt__ _s __r gr__t_st m_d_c_l ch_ll_ng_ _nd _f w_ _r_ t_ b__t _t, w_ m_st _nv_st _n r_s__rch t_ f_nd n_w tr__tm_nts _nd pr_v_nt__ns." Gl_b_lly, d_m_nt__ _ff_cts _r__nd 36 m_ll__n p__pl_. _b__t 10 p_r c_nt _f p__pl_ d_v_l_p th_ d_s__s_ _t s_m_ p__nt _n th__r l_v_s, b_t th_s f_g_r_ w_ll r_s_ sh_rply _s p__pl_ l_v_ l_ng_r. Th_ m_st c_mm_n f_rm _f d_m_nt__ _s _lzh__m_r's. Th_s _s wh_n th_ br__n l_s_s c_lls, wh_ch r_d_c_s th_ br__n's _b_l_ty t_ f_nct__n pr_p_rly.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

one in three people born in the united kingdom this year will suffer from dementia in their lifetime dementia is when the brain no longer works properly because of illness old age or injury people with dementia have problems remembering things their personality can change and they lose their ability to do many everyday tasks a leading mental illness charity said dementia would affect 27 per cent of boys born in 2015 and 37 per cent of girls the charity said that this could cause a health crisis as the population gets older there is currently no effective treatment to slow down or stop dementia the charity said governments must spend more on research

a british expert on dementia spoke about how serious the problem could become dr matthew norton said "as people are living longer more and more people will develop dementia in the future if action is not taken now" he added "dementia is our greatest medical challenge and if we are to beat it we must invest in research to find new treatments and preventions" globally dementia affects around 36 million people about 10 per cent of people develop the disease at some point in their lives but this figure will rise sharply as people live longer the most common form of dementia is alzheimer's this is when the brain loses cells which reduces the brain's ability to function properly

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

OneinthreepeoplebornintheUnitedKingdomthisyearwillsufferfromd
ementiaintheirlifetime.Dementiaiswhenthebrainnolongerworkspro
perlybecauseofillness,oldageorinjury.Peoplewithdementiahavepro
blemsrememberingthings.Theirpersonalitycanchangeandtheyloset
heirabilitytodomanyeverydaytasks.Aleadingmentalillnesscharitysai
ddementiawouldaffect27percentofboysbornin2015and37percentof
girls.Thecharitysaidthatthiscouldcauseahealthcrisisasthepopulatio
ngetsolder.Thereiscurrentlynoeffectivetreatmenttoslowdownorstop
dementia.Thecharitysaidgovernmentsmustspendmoreonresearch.
ABritishexpertondementiaspokeabouthowserioustheproblemcould
become.DrMatthewNortonsaid:"Aspeoplearelivinglonger,moreand
morepeoplewilldevelopdementiainthefutureifactionisnottakennow.
"Headded:"Dementiaisourgreatestmedicalchallengeandifwearetob
eatit,wemustinvestinresearchtofindnewtreatmentsandpreventions.
"Globally,dementiaaffectsaround36millionpeople.About10percento
fpeopledevelopthediseaseatsomepointintheirlives,butthisfigurewill
risesharplyaspeoplelivelonger.ThemostcommonformofdementiaisA
lzheimer's.Thisiswhenthebrainlosescells,whichreducesthebrain'sab
ilitytofunctionproperly.

FREE WRITING

Write about the brain for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

How can you keep your brain healthy and active? Do you do this? Why/Why not?

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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 dementia. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. BRAIN TRAINING: Write a magazine article about brain training. Include imaginary interviews with people know everything about how to keep our mind active.

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 the brain. Ask him/her three questions about the brain. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can keep our brain healthy. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Also...

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

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

Buy my book

$US 9.99

ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

suffer from

a.

be affected by

2

properly

b.

correctly

3.

ability

c.

capability

4.

crisis

d.

emergency

5.

effective

e.

successful

6.

expert

f.

specialist

7.

challenge

g.

problem

8.

treatments

h.

cures

9.

globally

i.

worldwide

10.

function

j.

work

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

One in three

2.

Remembering things

3.

Everyday ones

4.

37%

5.

Research

6.

An expert

7.

Now

8.

Dementia

9.

36 million (36,000,000)

10.

Cells

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

b

4.

d

5.

c

6.

b

7.

d

8.

b

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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