The Reading / Listening - Losing Weight - Level 3

The prime minister of Tonga has challenged leaders of other Pacific nations to lose weight. He is asking them to join the fight against obesity by taking part in a one-year-long weight loss challenge. The prime minister, Akilisi Pohiva, told the Samoa Observer newspaper that he will set the challenge when leaders meet at the Pacific Island Forum in the tiny nation of Nauru in September. He said: "We should all get together for a weight-loss competition for an entire year, so when we meet the following year, we will weigh in again and see who has lost the most." He added: "We have been [talking about] the same issue, over the years but it doesn't seem to work."

Mr Pohiva also spoke about Tonga's life expectancy going down because of obesity and weight-related issues. He said: "It is now down to 68 years old, yet at one stage it was 71. It has reduced significantly." He hopes his weight-loss challenge will encourage Pacific islanders to lose weight. He said: "Once the leaders are adapting to that mindset they would be determined to get their people [doing] the same...and go from there." The Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum said Pacific island nations were losing their fight against child obesity. The World Health Organization said 20 per cent of children between the ages of five and 19 were obese in 10 Pacific island countries.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Losing Weight - Level 0,  Losing Weight - Level 1   or  Losing Weight - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/14/tonga-pm-obesity-challenges-pacific-leaders-weight-loss-battle
  • https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/14/tonga-pm-challenges-pacific-states-weight-loss-contest-tackle/
  • http://www.sobserver.ws/en/14_08_2018/local/35879/Pohiva-urges-Pacific-leaders-to-set-example.htm


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. LOSING WEIGHT: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about losing weight. 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?
       leaders / nations / lose weight / obesity / challenge / competition / weigh / issue /
       life expectancy / significantly / encourage / mindset / determined / island / fight
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. LEADERS: Students A strongly believe all leaders should be a healthy weight to encourage their citizens to do the same; Students B strongly believe the opposite.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE: How well would these things work if you want to lose weight? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Would it work well?

Could you do this?

No fast food for one year

 

 

No lunch for one year

 

 

Run 5k every day

 

 

No cake, chocolate or candy

 

 

Fruit-only diet

 

 

No car or public transport

 

 
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. ISLAND: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "island". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. WEIGHT LOSS: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to lose weight at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • no sugary foods
  • drink lots of water
  • weigh yourself daily
  • no lunch
  • fruit only
  • low carbohydrate
  • jog
  • cycle to work/school

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. challenged a. Very, very small.
      2. nations b. The condition of being grossly fat or overweight.
      3. obesity c. Different countries.
      4. set d. An important topic or problem for debate or discussion.
      5. tiny e. Asked people to take part in a contest or competition.
      6. entire f. Give someone a task or challenge.
      7. issue g. With no part left out; whole.

    Paragraph 2

      8. life expectancy h. In such a great or important way as to be worthy of attention.
      9. related i. Make something suitable for a new use or purpose; modifying.
      10. stage j. Give support, confidence, or hope to someone.
      11. significantly k. Connected.
      12. encourage l. Being very strong in a desire to do something.
      13. adapting m. The average period or length of time that a person might live.
      14. determined n. A point, period, or step in a process or development.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. Tonga's prime minister said most of the world's leaders are overweight.   T / F
  2. Tonga's prime minister wants leaders to spend a year losing weight.     T / F
  3. The weight-loss challenge will start next year.     T / F
  4. Tonga's leader wants other leaders to meet next year to compare weight.  T / F
  5. Life expectancy in Tonga has gone down because of obesity.     T / F
  6. Tonga's leader wants other leaders to lead by example.     T / F
  7. A forum said Pacific islands are winning the fight against obesity.     T / F
  8. Around 45 per cent of Pacific island children are overweight.     T / F

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

  1. nations
  2. fight
  3. tiny
  4. entire
  5. issue
  6. going down
  7. stage
  8. encourage
  9. determined
  10. obese
  1. question
  2. very small
  3. overweight
  4. decreasing
  5. battle
  6. persuade
  7. countries
  8. resolved to
  9. whole
  10. step

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

  1. join the fight
  2. he will set
  3. see who has lost
  4. over the
  5. it doesn't seem
  6. life
  7. weight-
  8. It has reduced
  9. losing their fight
  10. between the
  1. the challenge
  2. related issues
  3. to work
  4. ages of five and 19
  5. against obesity
  6. the most
  7. against child obesity
  8. expectancy
  9. years
  10. significantly

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
part
again
challenged
tiny
entire
issue
weight
get

The prime minister of Tonga has (1) ____________ leaders of other Pacific nations to lose (2) ____________. He is asking them to join the fight against obesity by taking (3) ____________ in a one-year-long weight loss challenge. The prime minister, Akilisi Pohiva, told the Samoa Observer newspaper that he will set the challenge when leaders meet at the Pacific Island Forum in the (4) ____________ nation of Nauru in September. He said: "We should all (5) ____________ together for a weight-loss competition for an (6) ____________ year, so when we meet the following year, we will weigh in (7) ____________ and see who has lost the most." He added: "We have been [talking about] the same (8) ____________, over the years but it doesn't seem to work."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
obesity
there
encourage
ages
stage
fight
expectancy
mindset

Mr Pohiva also spoke about Tonga's life (9) ____________ going down because of (10) ____________ and weight-related issues. He said: "It is now down to 68 years old, yet at one (11) ____________ it was 71. It has reduced significantly." He hopes his weight-loss challenge will (12) ____________ Pacific islanders to lose weight. He said: "Once the leaders are adapting to that (13) ____________ they would be determined to get their people [doing] the same...and go from (14) ____________." The Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum said Pacific island nations were losing their (15) ____________ against child obesity. The World Health Organization said 20 per cent of children between the (16) ____________ of five and 19 were obese in 10 Pacific island countries.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The prime minister of Tonga has challenged leaders of other Pacific nations ______
     a.  to loses weight
     b.  to losing weight
     c.  too lose weight
     d.  to lose weight
2)  join the fight against obesity by taking part in a one-year-long ______
     a.  weights loss challenge
     b.  weight lost challenge
     c.  weight loss challenge
     d.  weighty loss challenge
3)  set the challenge when leaders meet at the Pacific Island Forum in ______ of Nauru
     a.  the tinny nation
     b.  the tiny nation
     c.  the tie knee nation
     d.  the tin knee nation
4)  He said: "We should all get together for a weight-loss competition for ______."
     a.  an entire year
     b.  an entirely year
     c.  an entry year
     d.  an entail year
5)  when we meet the following year, we will weigh in again and see who ______ most
     a.  has lost a
     b.  has lost then
     c.  has lost thee
     d.  has lost the

6)  Tonga's life expectancy going down because of obesity and ______
     a.  weight-related issues
     b.  weight-relative issues
     c.  weight-relates issues
     d.  weight-relate it issues
7)  It is now down to 68 years old, yet at one ______ 71
     a.  stages it was
     b.  stage it was
     c.  staged it was
     d.  strange it was
8)  He hopes his weight-loss challenge will ______ islanders
     a.  encourages Pacific
     b.  encouraged Pacific
     c.  encourage Pacific
     d.  entourage Pacific
9)  Once the leaders are adapting to that mindset they would ______
     a.  be determined
     b.  be determine
     c.  be determines
     d.  be deter mine
10)  Pacific island nations were losing their fight ______
     a.  again child obesity
     b.  against children obesity
     c.  again children obesity
     d.  against child obesity

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The prime minister of Tonga has challenged (1) ___________________ Pacific nations to lose weight. He is asking them to (2) ___________________ against obesity by (3) ___________________ a one-year-long weight loss challenge. The prime minister, Akilisi Pohiva, told the Samoa Observer newspaper that he will (4) ___________________ when leaders meet at the Pacific Island Forum in the tiny nation of Nauru in September. He said: "We should all get together for a weight-loss competition for (5) ___________________, so when we meet the following year, we will weigh in again and see who has lost the most." He added: "We have been [talking about] (6) ___________________, over the years but it doesn't seem to work."

Mr Pohiva (7) ___________________ Tonga's life expectancy going down because of obesity and weight-related issues. He said: "It is now down to 68 years old, yet (8) ___________________ it was 71. It has reduced significantly." He hopes his weight-loss challenge will encourage Pacific islanders to lose weight. He said: "Once (9) ___________________ adapting to that mindset they would be determined to get their people [doing] the same...and (10) ___________________." The Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum said Pacific island nations (11) ___________________ fight against child obesity. The World Health Organization said 20 per cent of children between (12) ___________________ five and 19 were obese in 10 Pacific island countries.

Comprehension questions

  1. Who is the Tongan prime minister asking to lose weight?
  2. How long is the weight-loss challenge Tonga's prime minister mentioned?
  3. What is the name of the newspaper Tonga's prime minister spoke to?
  4. Where will the Pacific Island Forum take place in September?
  5. What have the Pacific island nations been talking about over the years?
  6. What is happening to Tonga's life expectancy?
  7. What did Tonga's life expectancy drop down to 68 from?
  8. Who does Akilisi Pohiva want leaders to help lose weight?
  9. What fight did the Pacific Island Forum say island nations were losing?
  10. What percentage of island children did the WHO say were obese?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who is the Tongan prime minister asking to lose weight?
a) people from Nauru
b) his family
c) Samoans
d) Pacific island leaders
2) How long is the weight-loss challenge Tonga's prime minister mentioned?
a) two months
b) one year
c) six months
d) eighteen months
3) What is the name of the newspaper Tonga's prime minister spoke to?
a) The Islands Eye
b) Nauru News
c) The Tonga Times
d) The Samoa Observer
4) Where will the Pacific Island Forum take place in September?
a) Tonga
b) New York
c) Nauru
d) Samoa
5) What have the Pacific island nations been talking about over the years?
a) food
b) global warming
c) other nations
d) The same issue

6) What is happening to Tonga's life expectancy?
a) it is going up
b) nothing
c) It is going down
d) it is going up and down
7) What did Tonga's life expectancy drop down to 68 from?
a) 71
b) 69
c) 70
d) 72
8) Who does Akilisi Pohiva want leaders help to lose weight?
a) their family
b) the world population
c) Pacific islanders
d) old people
9) What fight did the Pacific Island Forum say island nations were losing?
a) the fight against the WHO
b) the one against child obesity
c) global warming
d) the calories fight
10) What percentage of island children did the WHO say were obese?
a) 20 per cent
b) 12 per cent
c) 22 per cent
d) 15 per cent

Role play

Role  A – Eating Only Fruit
You think eating only fruit is the best way to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective way of losing weight (and why): jogging, having no lunch or drinking water.

Role  B – Jogging
You think jogging is the best way to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective way of losing weight (and why): eating only fruit, having no lunch or drinking water.

Role  C – Having No Lunch
You think having no lunch is the best way to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective way of losing weight (and why): jogging, eating only fruit or drinking water.

Role  D – Drinking Water
You think drinking water is the best way to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective way of losing weight (and why): jogging, having no lunch or eating only fruit.

After reading / listening

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

'weight'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'obesity'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • 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:

    • down
    • stage
    • adapting
    • there
    • losing
    • 19
    • other
    • part
    • meet
    • tiny
    • entire
    • seem

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic 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.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Tonga prime minister challenges leaders to lose weight

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'weight'?
    3. What do you think of Mr Pohiva's challenge?
    4. What do you think of your weight?
    5. Why are so many people getting overweight?
    6. Should leaders and celebrities worldwide join this challenge?
    7. Have you ever tried to lose weight?
    8. Why are Pacific islanders so overweight?
    9. Should schools and employers do things to encourage healthy weights?
    10. What do you know about Tonga and other Pacific island nations?

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

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'obesity'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What's the best way to lose weight?
    5. Will countries lose the fight against obesity?
    6. Is dieting or exercising the best way to lose weight?
    7. How can we encourage children to control their weight?
    8. What are the biggest causes of obesity in children?
    9. People are either starving, on a diet or overweight. Why?
    10. What questions would you like to ask Mr Pohiva?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

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

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    The prime minister of Tonga has (1) ____ leaders of other Pacific nations to lose weight. He is asking them to (2) ____ the fight against obesity by taking part in a one-year-long weight (3) ____ challenge. The prime minister, Akilisi Pohiva, told the Samoa Observer newspaper that he will he will set the challenge when leaders meet at the Pacific Island Forum in the tiny nation (4) ____ Nauru in September. He said: "We should all get together for a weight-loss competition for an (5) ____ year, so when we meet the following year, we will weigh in again and see who has lost the most." He added: "We have been [talking about] the same issue, (6) ____ the years but it doesn't seem to work."

    Mr Pohiva also spoke about Tonga's life (7) ____ going down because of obesity and weight-related issues. He said: "It is now down to 68 years old, yet at one (8) ____ it was 71. It has reduced significantly." He hopes his weight-loss challenge will (9) ____ Pacific islanders to lose weight. He said: "Once the leaders are adapting to that mindset they would be determined to (10) ____ their people [doing] the same...and go from there." The Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum said Pacific island nations were losing their fight (11) ____ child obesity. The World Health Organization said 20 per cent of children between the (12) ____ of five and 19 were obese in 10 Pacific island countries.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     challenges     (b)     challenge     (c)     challenging     (d)     challenged    
    2. (a)     joining     (b)     joins     (c)     joint     (d)     join    
    3. (a)     losing     (b)     loss     (c)     lost     (d)     losses    
    4. (a)     from     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     in    
    5. (a)     entire     (b)     all     (c)     every     (d)     everything    
    6. (a)     over     (b)     up     (c)     though     (d)     ever    
    7. (a)     expecting     (b)     expects     (c)     expected     (d)     expectancy    
    8. (a)     stage     (b)     step     (c)     part     (d)     scene    
    9. (a)     entourage     (b)     encourage     (c)     discourage     (d)     courageous    
    10. (a)     do     (b)     need     (c)     get     (d)     move    
    11. (a)     again     (b)     gains     (c)     against     (d)     regains    
    12. (a)     aged     (b)     ages     (c)     ageing     (d)     ageism

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. join the fight against styoieb
    2. inkgat part
    3. the tiny iatnno of Nauru
    4. for an teneri year
    5. when we meet the iolwnofgl year
    6. talking about the same siseu

    Paragraph 2

    1. Tonga's life tcacepexyn
    2. It has reduced tsngacfiiinyl
    3. cerugneao Pacific islanders
    4. apndgiat to that mindset
    5. they would be deetiedrmn to get their people
    6. nations were losing their gifht

    Put the text back together

    (...)  [talking about] the same issue, over the years but it doesn't seem to work."
    (...)  between the ages of five and 19 were obese in 10 Pacific island countries.
    (  1  ) The prime minister of Tonga has challenged leaders of other Pacific nations to lose weight. He is asking them to join
    (...)  there." The Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum said Pacific island nations were
    (...)  get together for a weight-loss competition for an entire year, so when we meet the following
    (...)  year, we will weigh in again and see who has lost the most." He added: "We have been
    (...)  losing their fight against child obesity. The World Health Organization said 20 per cent of children
    (...)  the fight against obesity by taking part in a one-year-long weight loss challenge. The prime
    (...)  Mr Pohiva also spoke about Tonga's life expectancy going down because of obesity and weight-related
    (...)  at the Pacific Island Forum in the tiny nation of Nauru in September. He said: "We should all
    (...)  minister, Akilisi Pohiva, told the Samoa Observer newspaper that he will set the challenge when leaders meet
    (...)  significantly." He hopes his weight-loss challenge will encourage Pacific islanders to lose weight. He said: "Once the
    (...)  issues. He said: "It is now down to 68 years old, yet at one stage it was 71. It has reduced
    (...)  leaders are adapting to that mindset they would be determined to get their people [doing] the same...and go from

    Put the words in the right order

    1. join   them   He   the   to   is   fight   .   asking
    2. set   He   when   leaders   challenge   the   will   meet   .
    3. for   competition   entire   an   year   .   weight-loss   A
    4. see   and   most   .   in   who   Weigh   again   has   the   lost
    5. been   have   same   about   talking   issue   .   We   the
    6. of   life   expectancy   obesity   .   going   because   down   Tonga's
    7. challenge   His   Pacific   weight-loss   islanders   .   will   encourage
    8. the   same   .   their   Determined   doing   people   to   get
    9. child   were   obesity   .   losing   against   their   Nations   fight
    10. the   between   five   ages   of   Children   and   19   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The prime minister of Tonga has challenging / challenged leaders of other Pacific nations to lose / lost weight. He is asking them to join / joint the fight against obesity by taking part in a one-year-long weight lost / loss challenge. The prime minister, Akilisi Pohiva, told the Samoa Observer newspaper that he will set / let the challenge when leaders meet at the Pacific Island Forum in the tiny national / nation of Nauru in September. He said: "We should all get / getting together for a weight-loss competition for an entire / entirely year, so when we meet the following year, we will weigh on / in again and see who has lost the most." He added: "We have been [talking about] the same issue, over / under the years but it doesn't seem to work."

    Mr Pohiva also speak / spoke about Tonga's life expectancy going down because of obesity and weight-related issues. He said: "It is now up / down to 68 years old, yet / yes at one stage it was 71. It has reduced significantly / significance." He hopes his weight-loss challenge will encourage Pacific islanders to lose weight. He said: "Once the leaders are adapted / adapting to that mindset they would been / be determined to get their people [doing] the same / some...and go from there." The Secretary General of the Pacific Island Forum said Pacific island nations were losses / losing their fight against child obesity / obese. The World Health Organization said 20 per cent of children between the aged / ages of five and 19 were obese in 10 Pacific island countries.

    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)

    T h_ p r_m_ m_n_s t_r _f T_n g_ h_s c h_l l_n g_d l__ d_r s _f _t h_r P_c_f_c n_t__ n s t_ l_s_ w__ g h t . H_ _s _s k_n g t h_m t_ j__ n t h_ f_g h t _g__ n s t _b_s_t y b y t_k_n g p_r t _n _ _n_- y__ r - l_n g w__ g h t l_s s c h_l l_n g_. T h_ p r_m_ m_n_s t_r , A k_l_s_ P_h_v_, t_l d t h_ S_m__ O b s_r v_r n_w s p_p_r t h_t h_ w_l l h_ w_l l s_t t h_ c h_l l_n g_ w h_n l__ d_r s m__ t _t t h_ P_c_f_c I s l_n d F_r_m _n t h_ t_n y n_t__ n _f N__ r_ _n S_p t_m b_r . H_ s__ d : " W_ s h__ l d _l l g_t t_g_t h_r f_r _ w__ g h t - l_s s c_m p_t_t__ n f_r _n _n t_r_ y__ r , s_ w h_n w_ m__ t t h_ f_l l_w_n g y__ r , w_ w_l l w__ g h _n _g__ n _n d s__ w h_ h_s l_s t t h_ m_s t . " H_ _d d_d : " W_ h_v_ b__ n [ t_l k_n g _b__ t ] t h_ s_m_ _s s__ , _v_r t h_ y__ r s b_t _t d__ s n ' t s__ m t_ w_r k . "

    M r P_h_v_ _l s_ s p_k_ _b__ t T_n g_' s l_f_ _x p_c t_n c y g__ n g d_w n b_c__ s_ _f _b_s_t y _n d w__ g h t - r_l_t_d _s s__ s . H_ s__ d : " I t _s n_w d_w n t_ 6 8 y__ r s _l d , y_t _t _n_ s t_g_ _t w_s 7 1 . I t h_s r_d_c_d s_g n_f_c_n t l y . " H_ h_p_s h_s w__ g h t - l_s s c h_l l_n g_ w_l l _n c__ r_g_ P_c_f_c _s l_n d_r s t_ l_s_ w__ g h t . H_ s__ d : " O n c_ t h_ l__ d_r s _r_ _d_p t_n g t_ t h_t m_n d s_t t h_y w__ l d b_ d_t_r m_n_d t_ g_t t h__ r p__ p l_ [ d__ n g ] t h_ s_m_. . ._n d g_ f r_m t h_r_. " T h_ S_c r_t_r y G_n_r_l _f t h_ P_c_f_c I s l_n d F_r_m s__ d P_c_f_c _s l_n d n_t__ n s w_r_ l_s_n g t h__ r f_g h t _g__ n s t c h_l d _b_s_t y . T h_ W_r l d H__ l t h O r g_n_z_t__ n s__ d 2 0 p_r c_n t _f c h_l d r_n b_t w__ n t h_ _g_s _f f_v_ _n d 1 9 w_r_ _b_s_ _n 1 0 P_c_f_c _s l_n d c__ n t r__ s .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the prime minister of tonga has challenged leaders of other pacific nations to lose weight he is asking them to join the fight against obesity by taking part in a one year long weight loss challenge the prime minister akilisi pohiva told the samoa observer newspaper that he will set the challenge when leaders meet at the pacific island forum in the tiny nation of nauru in september he said we should all get together for a weight loss competition for an entire year so when we meet the following year we will weigh in again and see who has lost the most he added we have been talking about the same issue over the years but it doesnt seem to work

    mr pohiva also spoke about tongas life expectancy going down because of obesity and weight related issues he said it is now down to 68 years old yet at one stage it was 71 it has reduced significantly he hopes his weight loss challenge will encourage pacific islanders to lose weight he said once the leaders are adapting to that mindset they would be determined to get their people doing the same and go from there the secretary general of the pacific island forum said pacific island nations were losing their fight against child obesity the world health organization said 20 per cent of children between the ages of five and 19 were obese in 10 pacific island countries.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    TheprimeministerofTongahaschallengedleadersofotherPacificnatio
    nstoloseweight.Heisaskingthemtojointhefightagainstobesitybytaki
    ngpartinaone-year-longweightlosschallenge.Theprimeminister,Akil
    isiPohiva,toldtheSamoaObservernewspaperthathewillsetthechallen
    gewhenleadersmeetatthePacificIslandForuminthetinynationofNaur
    uinSeptember.Hesaid:"Weshouldallgettogetherforaweight-losscom
    petitionforanentireyear,sowhenwemeetthefollowingyear,wewillwei
    ghinagainandseewhohaslostthemost."Headded:"Wehavebeen[talki
    ngabout]thesameissue,overtheyearsbutitdoesn'tseemtowork."MrP
    ohivaalsospokeaboutTonga'slifeexpectancygoingdownbecauseofob
    esityandweight-relatedissues.Hesaid:"Itisnowdownto68yearsold,y
    etatonestageitwas71.Ithasreducedsignificantly."Hehopeshisweight
    -losschallengewillencouragePacificislanderstoloseweight.Hesaid:"
    Oncetheleadersareadaptingtothatmindsettheywouldbedeterminedt
    ogettheirpeople[doing]thesame...andgofromthere."TheSecretaryG
    eneralofthePacificIslandForumsaidPacificislandnationswerelosingth
    eirfightagainstchildobesity.TheWorldHealthOrganizationsaid20perc
    entofchildrenbetweentheagesoffiveand19wereobesein10Pacificisla
    ndcountries.

    Free writing

    Write about losing weight for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    All world leaders should lose weight to encourage their people to stay slim. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. LOSING WEIGHT: Make a poster about losing weight. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. SLIM WORLD LEADERS: Write a magazine article about world leaders having to be slim to set an example to their people. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on losing weight. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how 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

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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