The Reading / Listening - Dogs' Noses - Level 6

Researchers believe they have solved one of science's greatest mysteries. They think they have found out why a dog's nose is cold. Scientists from universities in Sweden and Hungary have posited that dogs' noses are constantly cold because they act as "ultra-sensitive heat detectors". Canines can sense the temperature of something before they touch it. They added that dogs use their noses to detect tiny changes in temperature, such as when possible predators or prey are nearby. Humans generally only know something is hot after touching it, often with painful consequences. It was common belief that the only reason dogs' noses are cold is to control and regulate their own body temperature.

The researchers conducted experiments on sixteen dogs that had to detect the temperature of different objects in a room. The objects had different temperatures that humans could only differentiate by touching them. The scientists said that the brain activity in the dogs showed that they could discern which objects were warmer than others. Anna Balint, lead author of the study, said: "Dogs are able to sense the thermal radiation coming from warm bodies or weak thermal radiation, and they can change their behaviour according to this signal." Another scientist said scientists should now re-evaluate how predators hunt. Many may use heat-sensing abilities to track or sense their prey.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Dogs' Noses - Level 4  or  Dogs' Noses - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/pets/a31186288/dogs-cold-noses/
  • https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-hungary-science-dogs/dogs-can-detect-heat-with-infrared-sensor-in-their-nose-research-finds-idUKKBN20Q1RG
  • https://uk.news.yahoo.com/dog-nose-cold-182000634.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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. DOGS' NOSES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about dogs' noses. 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?
       researchers / science / mysteries / cold / detectors / nose / temperature / prey / heat
       experiments / objects / humans / activity / author / radiation / behaviour / predators
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DOGS: Students A strongly believe dogs are the best pets; Students B strongly believe they aren't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ANIMAL ABILITIES: What abilities do these animals have? Would you like them? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s) and share what you wrote. Change partners often.

 

Ability

Would You Like It?

Why?

Dog

 

 

 

Spider

 

 

 

Ant

 

 

 

Dolphin

 

 

 

Eagle

 

 

 

Bee

 

 

 

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. SCIENTIST: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "scientist". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. PET: Rank these with your partner. Put the best pet at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Dog
  • Fish
  • Rabbit
  • Parrot
  • Hamster
  • Horse
  • Snake
  • Tortoise

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. solved a. Relating to a dog or dogs.
      2. mystery b. Assumed as a fact; put forward as a basis of argument.
      3. posited c. Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
      4. detect d. The results or effects of an action or condition.
      5. canine e. Found an answer of explanation to something.
      6. predator f. Discover or identify the presence or existence of something.
      7. consequences g. An animal that naturally hunts and preys on other animals.

    Paragraph 2

      8. conducted h. Recognize or find out what makes someone or something not like other things.
      9. differentiate i. The energy created by heat, light, electricity, etc.
      10. discern j. An animal that is hunted and killed by another for food.
      11. thermal k. Recognize something.
      12. radiation l. Follow the course of something.
      13. track m. Relating to heat.
      14. prey n. Organized and carried out.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Scientists said they finally solved science's greatest mystery.     T / F
  2. Scientists say dogs' noses are like heat detectors.     T / F
  3. Dogs can sense the temperature of something with their nose.     T / F
  4. Dogs use their nose to help sense warm animals near them.     T / F
  5. Researchers did tests on the noses of sixty dogs.     T / F
  6. Humans also use their noses to sense the temperature of something.     T / F
  7. The researchers said we should re-evaluate how other predators hunt.     T / F
  8. Scientists say more predators may use heat-sensing abilities to hunt.     T / F

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

  1. solved
  2. constantly
  3. detect
  4. tiny
  5. regulate
  6. conducted
  7. objects
  8. change
  9. re-evaluate
  10. track
  1. notice
  2. adjust
  3. pursue
  4. carried out
  5. examine
  6. minute
  7. amend
  8. answered
  9. things
  10. always

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

  1. they have solved one of science's
  2. they act as ultra-sensitive
  3. use their noses to detect tiny
  4. common
  5. regulate their own body
  6. The researchers conducted
  7. the brain activity
  8. lead
  9. thermal
  10. track or sense their
  1. belief
  2. temperature
  3. radiation
  4. experiments
  5. heat detectors
  6. author of the study
  7. prey
  8. greatest mysteries
  9. in the dogs
  10. changes in temperature

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
sense
nearby
cold
regulate
constantly
consequences
solved
detect

Researchers believe they have (1) ____________ one of science's greatest mysteries. They think they have found out why a dog's nose is (2) ____________. Scientists from universities in Sweden and Hungary have posited that dogs' noses are (3) ____________ cold because they act as "ultra-sensitive heat detectors". Canines can (4) ____________ the temperature of something before they touch it. They added that dogs use their noses to (5) ____________ tiny changes in temperature, such as when possible predators or prey are (6) ____________. Humans generally only know something is hot after touching it, often with painful (7) ____________. It was common belief that the only reason dogs' noses are cold is to control and (8) ____________ their own body temperature.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
activity
thermal
objects
sense
touching
signal
conducted
author

The researchers (9) ____________ experiments on sixteen dogs that had to detect the temperature of different (10) ____________ in a room. The objects had different temperatures that humans could only differentiate by (11) ____________ them. The scientists said that the brain (12) ____________ in the dogs showed that they could discern which objects were warmer than others. Anna Balint, lead (13) ____________ of the study, said: "Dogs are able to sense the thermal radiation coming from warm bodies or weak (14) ____________ radiation, and they can change their behaviour according to this (15) ____________." Another scientist said scientists should now re-evaluate how predators hunt. Many may use heat-sensing abilities to track or (16) ____________ their prey.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Researchers believe they have solved one of science's ______
     a.  great its mysteries
     b.  grey test mysteries
     c.  great test mysteries
     d.  greatest mysteries
2)  dogs' noses are constantly cold because they act as ultra-sensitive ______
     a.  heat detectors
     b.  heads detectors
     c.  head defectors
     d.  heat defector
3)  detect tiny changes in temperature, such as when possible predators or ______
     a.  prey are nearby
     b.  pray are nearly
     c.  play are nearby
     d.  prey are nearly
4)  know something is hot after touching it, often with ______
     a.  plain full consequences
     b.  plane full consequences
     c.  painful consequences
     d.  painfully consequences
5)  the only reason dogs' noses are cold is to control and regulate their ______
     a.  own body temperature
     b.  down body temperature
     c.  one body temperature
     d.  once body temperature

6) researchers conducted experiments on sixteen dogs that had ______ temperature
     a.  to defect the
     b.  to detect the
     c.  to eject the
     d.  to detract the
7)  temperatures that humans could only ______ touching
     a.  difference ate buy
     b.  differential by
     c.  differentiate buy
     d.  differentiate by
8)  the brain activity in the dogs showed that they could ______ objects
     a.  concern which
     b.  disdain which
     c.  abstain which
     d.  discern which
9)  sense the thermal radiation coming from warm bodies or ______ radiation
     a.  weak theme all
     b.  week them all
     c.  weak there mall
     d.  weak thermal
10)  Many may use heat-sensing abilities to track or ______
     a.  scents their pray
     b.  sense them prey
     c.  sense they play
     d.  sense their prey

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Researchers believe they have (1) ___________________ science's greatest mysteries. They think they have found out why a dog's nose is cold. Scientists from universities in Sweden and Hungary (2) ___________________ dogs' noses are constantly cold because they act as "ultra-sensitive heat detectors". Canines (3) ___________________ temperature of something before they touch it. They added that dogs use their noses to (4) ___________________ in temperature, such as when possible predators or (5) ___________________. Humans generally only know something is hot after touching it, often with painful consequences. It was common belief that the only reason dogs' noses are cold is to control and (6) ___________________ body temperature.

The researchers conducted experiments on sixteen dogs that (7) ___________________ the temperature of different objects in a room. The objects had different temperatures that humans could only differentiate by touching them. The scientists said that the (8) ___________________ the dogs showed that they could (9) ___________________ were warmer than others. Anna Balint, lead author of the study, said: "Dogs are able to sense (10) ___________________ coming from warm bodies or weak thermal radiation, and they can change their behaviour (11) ___________________ signal." Another scientist said scientists should now re-evaluate how predators hunt. Many may use heat-sensing abilities to track or (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. What did the researchers say they might have solved?
  2. Where are the scientists from?
  3. What did the researchers say dogs use their nose to detect?
  4. How do humans find out if something is hot?
  5. What did people think dogs regulated with their noses?
  6. How many different dogs did researchers use in their experiments?
  7. What activity allowed dogs to discern the different warmth in objects?
  8. Who is Anna Balint?
  9. What can dogs sense coming from warm bodies?
  10. What might other predators use to track or sense their prey?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What did the researchers say they might have solved?
a) a formula
b) one of science's greatest mysteries
c) a quiz
d) a puzzle
2) Where are the scientists from?
a) a kennel
b) a canine university
c) a dog food company
d) Sweden and Hungary
3) What did the researchers say dogs use their nose to detect?
a) the temperature of gardens
b) hot and cold water taps
c) tiny changes in temperature
d) fire
4) How do humans find out if something is hot?
a) they touch it
b) they sense it
c) they use the Internet
d) they use a thermometer
5) What did people think dogs regulated with their noses?
a) their ears
b) their body temperature
c) how much they pant
d) how much they sleep

6) How many different dogs did researchers use in their experiments?
a) 16
b) 20
c) 36
d) 60
7) What activity allowed dogs to discern the different warmth in objects?
a) running
b) chasing a stick
c) brain activity
d) sleeping
8) Who is Anna Balint?
a) lead researcher
b) a pet owner
c) a dog expert
d) a nose doctor
9) What can dogs sense coming from warm bodies?
a) smell
b) fleas
c) hair
d) thermal radiation
10) What might other predators use to track or sense their prey?
a) their paws
b) their eyes
c) heat-sensing abilities
d) nerve endings

Role play

Role  A – Dog
You think a dog is the best pet. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pots. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): fish, tortoise or hamster.

Role  B – Fish
You think a fish is the best pet. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pots. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): dog, tortoise or hamster.

Role  C – Tortoise
You think a tortoise is the best pet. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pots. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): fish, dog or hamster.

Role  D – Hamster
You think a hamster is the best pet. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their pots. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): fish, tortoise or dog.

After reading / listening

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

'dog'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'nose'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • science
    • mystery
    • heat
    • cold
    • change
    • temperature
    • experiments
    • objects
    • brain
    • bodies
    • weak
    • track

    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 - Dogs' Noses

    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 'dog'?
    3. What are some of science's greatest mysteries?
    4. What do you think of dogs' noses?
    5. Would you like a dog's ability to smell?
    6. What do you do when your nose is cold?
    7. How useful would a heat detector be for you?
    8. How happy are you with your nose?
    9. Are dogs the best pets?
    10. Why are dogs so good at hearing and smelling?

    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 'nose'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Have you been in a situation when your nose saved you from danger?
    5. How would being able to detect temperature help you?
    6. How good were humans at hunting?
    7. How good would you be at hunting?
    8. What three adjectives best describe this story?
    9. What other useful abilities do dogs have?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the scientists?

    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)

    Researchers believe they have (1) ____ one of science's greatest mysteries. They think they have found out why a dog's nose is cold. Scientists from universities in Sweden and Hungary have (2) ____ that dogs' noses are constantly cold because they act as "ultra-sensitive heat detectors". Canines can (3) ____ the temperature of something before they touch it. They added that dogs use their noses to detect (4) ____ changes in temperature, such as when possible predators or prey are nearby. Humans (5) ____ only know something is hot after touching it, often with painful consequences. It was common (6) ____ that the only reason dogs' noses are cold is to control and regulate their own body temperature.

    The researchers conducted experiments on sixteen dogs that had to (7) ____ the temperature of different objects in a room. The objects had different temperatures that humans could only (8) ____ by touching them. The scientists said that the brain activity in the dogs showed that they could (9) ____ which objects were warmer than others. Anna Balint, lead author of the study, said: "Dogs are able to sense the thermal radiation (10) ____ from warm bodies or weak thermal radiation, and they can change their behaviour according to (11) ____ signal." Another scientist said scientists should now re-evaluate how predators (12) ____. Many may use heat-sensing abilities to track or sense their prey.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     earthy     (b)     earthed     (c)     earth     (d)     unearthed    
    2. (a)     posing     (b)     poster     (c)     posted     (d)     posited    
    3. (a)     serve     (b)     sense     (c)     stencil     (d)     service    
    4. (a)     tinny     (b)     tinted     (c)     tiny     (d)     tin    
    5. (a)     frequent     (b)     relinquish     (c)     generally     (d)     officially    
    6. (a)     belief     (b)     believe     (c)     believes     (d)     believer    
    7. (a)     defect     (b)     detect     (c)     deselect     (d)     direct    
    8. (a)     differentiate     (b)     differ     (c)     defer     (d)     diffident    
    9. (a)     chasm     (b)     discern     (c)     schism     (d)     concern    
    10. (a)     going     (b)     giving     (c)     coming     (d)     entering    
    11. (a)     once     (b)     via     (c)     this     (d)     hertz    
    12. (a)     prey     (b)     scavenger     (c)     predate     (d)     hunt

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. one of science's greatest imyesrtse
    2. dogs' noses are soycttnaln cold
    3. ultra-sensitive heat otedcrtes
    4. possible todasperr or prey
    5. often with painful nsoecceeqsun
    6. ltuergae their own body temperature

    Paragraph 2

    1. researchers conducted imetseexnrp
    2. dfeitanfereti by touching them
    3. ricsedn which objects were warmer
    4. sense the mhraelt radiation
    5. irgncdoca to this signal
    6. heat-snniegs abilities

    Put the text back together

    (...)  changes in temperature, such as when possible predators or prey are nearby. Humans
    (...)  to this signal." Another scientist said scientists should now re-evaluate how predators
    (...)  out why a dog's nose is cold. Scientists from universities in Sweden and Hungary have posited that dogs' noses are
    1  ) Researchers believe they have solved one of science's greatest mysteries. They think they have found
    (...)  temperature of something before they touch it. They added that dogs use their noses to detect tiny
    (...)  from warm bodies or weak thermal radiation, and they can change their behaviour according
    (...)  them. The scientists said that the brain activity in the dogs showed that they could discern which objects were
    (...)  The researchers conducted experiments on sixteen dogs that had to detect the temperature of different objects in
    (...)  hunt. Many may use heat-sensing abilities to track or sense their prey.
    (...)  generally only know something is hot after touching it, often with painful consequences. It was common
    (...)  warmer than others. Anna Balint, lead author of the study, said: "Dogs are able to sense the thermal radiation coming
    (...)  constantly cold because they act as "ultra-sensitive heat detectors". Canines can sense the
    (...)  a room. The objects had different temperatures that humans could only differentiate by touching
    (...)  belief that the only reason dogs' noses are cold is to control and regulate their own body temperature.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. science's   one   greatest   of   mysteries   .   solved   They   have
    2. nose   why   out   a   is   Found   dog's   cold   .
    3. they   ultra-sensitive   because   detectors   .   as   heat   Cold   act
    4. temperature   .   to   detect   noses   their   Use   in   changes
    5. body   their   own   and   regulate   Control   temperature   .
    6. room   .   temperature   of   in   objects   different   a   The
    7. which   objects   could   warmer   .   They   discern   were
    8. the   Sense   coming   bodies   .   warm   from   thermal   radiation
    9. should   Scientists   now   re-evaluate   hunt   .   how   predators
    10. abilities   heat-sensing   Use   prey   .   their   to   sense

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Researchers believe they have solved once / one of science's greatest mysteries. They think they have found up / out why a dog's nose is cold. Scientists from universities in Sweden and Hungary have positioned / posited that dogs' noses are constant / constantly cold because they act as "ultra-sensitive heat detectors / reflective". Canines can sense the temperature of something previous / before they touch it. They added that dogs use their noses to defect / detect tiny changes in temperature, such as when possible predators or prey are nearby. Humans generally / uniformly only know something is hot after touching it, often with painful consequences / consequential. It was common belief that the only reason dogs' noses are cold is to control and regulate their / them own body temperature.

    The researchers conducted experiments on / in sixteen dogs that had to detect the temperature of different subjects / objects in a room. The objects had different temperatures that humans could once / only differentiate by touching them. The scientists said that the brain activity in the dogs showing / showed that they could disdain / discern which objects were warmer than others. Anna Balint, lead / leader author of the study, said: "Dogs are able to sense / scents the thermal radiation coming from warm bodies or weak thermal radiation, and they can chance / change their behaviour according to this signal." Another scientist said scientists should knowing / now re-evaluate how predators hunt. Many may use heat-sensing abilities to track or sense their prey / pray.

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    R_s__ r c h_r s b_l__ v_ t h_y h_v_ _n__ r t h_d _n_ _f s c__ n c_' s g r__ t_s t m y s t_r__ s . T h_y t h_n k t h_y h_v_ f__ n d __ t w h y _ d_g ' s n_s_ _s c_l d . S c__ n t_s t s f r_m _n_v_r s_t__ s _n S w_d_n _n d H_n g_r y h_v_ p_s_t_d t h_t d_g s ' n_s_s _r_ c_n s t_n t l y c_l d b_c__ s_ t h_y _c t _s "_l t r_- s_n s_t_v_ h__ t d_t_c t_r s " . C_n_n_s c_n s_n s_ t h_ t_m p_r_t_r_ _f s_m_t h_n g b_f_r_ t h_y t__ c h _t . T h_y _d d_d t h_t d_g s _s_ t h__ r n_s_s t_ d_t_c t t_n y c h_n g_s _n t_m p_r_t_r_, s_c h _s w h_n p_s s_b l_ p r_d_t_r s _r p r_y _r_ n__ r b y . H_m_n s g_n_r_l l y _n l y k n_w s_m_t h_n g _s h_t _f t_r t__ c h_n g _t , _f t_n w_t h p__ n f_l c_n s_q__ n c_s . I t w_s c_m m_n b_l__ f t h_t t h_ _n l y r__ s_n d_g s ' n_s_s _r_ c_l d _s t_ c_n t r_l _n d r_g_l_t_ t h__ r _w n b_d y t_m p_r_t_r_.

    T h_ r_s__ r c h_r s c_n d_c t_d _x p_r_m_n t s _n s_x t__ n d_g s t h_t h_d t_ d_t_c t t h_ t_m p_r_t_r_ _f d_f f_r_n t _b j_c t s _n _ r__ m . T h_ _b j_c t s h_d d_f f_r_n t t_m p_r_t_r_s t h_t h_m_n s c__ l d _n l y d_f f_r_n t__ t_ b y t__ c h_n g t h_m . T h_ s c__ n t_s t s s__ d t h_t t h_ b r__ n _c t_v_t y _n t h_ d_g s s h_w_d t h_t t h_y c__ l d d_s c_r n w h_c h _b j_c t s w_r_ w_r m_r t h_n _t h_r s . A n n_ B_l_n t , l__ d __ t h_r _f t h_ s t_d y , s__ d : " D_g s _r_ _b l_ t_ s_n s_ t h_ t h_r m_l r_d__ t__ n c_m_n g f r_m w_r m b_d__ s _r w__ k t h_r m_l r_d__ t__ n , _n d t h_y c_n c h_n g_ t h__ r b_h_v___r _c c_r d_n g t_ t h_s s_g n_l . " A n_t h_r s c__ n t_s t s__ d s c__ n t_s t s s h__ l d n_w r_-_v_l__ t_ h_w p r_d_t_r s h_n t . M_n y m_y _s_ h__ t - s_n s_n g _b_l_t__ s t_ t r_c k _r s_n s_ t h__ r p r_y .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    researchers believe they have solved one of sciences greatest mysteries they think they have found out why a dogs nose is cold scientists from universities in sweden and hungary have posited that dogs noses are constantly cold because they act as ultrasensitive heat detectors canines can sense the temperature of something before they touch it they added that dogs use their noses to detect tiny changes in temperature such as when possible predators or prey are nearby humans generally only know something is hot after touching it often with painful consequences it was common belief that the only reason dogs noses are cold is to control and regulate their own body temperature

    the researchers conducted experiments on sixteen dogs that had to detect the temperature of different objects in a room the objects had different temperatures that humans could only differentiate by touching them the scientists said that the brain activity in the dogs showed that they could discern which objects were warmer than others anna balint lead author of the study said dogs are able to sense the thermal radiation coming from warm bodies or weak thermal radiation and they can change their behaviour according to this signal another scientist said scientists should now reevaluate how predators hunt many may use heatsensing abilities to track or sense their prey

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Researchersbelievetheyhavesolvedoneofscience'sgreatestmysterie
    s.Theythinktheyhavefoundoutwhyadog'snoseiscold.Scientistsfrom
    universitiesinSwedenandHungaryhavepositedthatdogs'nosesareco
    nstantlycoldbecausetheyactas"ultra-sensitiveheatdetectors".Cani
    nescansensethetemperatureofsomethingbeforetheytouchit.Theyad
    dedthatdogsusetheirnosestodetecttinychangesintemperature,such
    aswhenpossiblepredatorsorpreyarenearby.Humansgenerallyonlyk
    nowsomethingishotaftertouchingit,oftenwithpainfulconsequences.I
    twascommonbeliefthattheonlyreasondogs'nosesarecoldistocontrol
    andregulatetheirownbodytemperature.Theresearchersconductede
    xperimentsonsixteendogsthathadtodetectthetemperatureofdiffere
    ntobjectsinaroom.Theobjectshaddifferenttemperaturesthathuman
    scouldonlydifferentiatebytouchingthem.Thescientistssaidthatthebr
    ainactivityinthedogsshowedthattheycoulddiscernwhichobjectswere
    warmerthanothers.AnnaBalint,leadauthorofthestudy,said:"Dogsar
    eabletosensethethermalradiationcomingfromwarmbodiesorweakth
    ermalradiation,andtheycanchangetheirbehaviouraccordingtothissi
    gnal."Anotherscientistsaidscientistsshouldnowre-evaluatehowpre
    datorshunt.Manymayuseheat-sensingabilitiestotrackorsensetheirp
    rey.

    Free writing

    Write about dogs' noses for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Our nose is one of the most important parts of the body. 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. NOSES: Make a poster about noses. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. 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.
    5. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on dogs' noses. Ask him/her three questions about dogs' noses. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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

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

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