The Reading / Listening - Headaches - Level 3

If you get regular headaches, you are not alone. A new report says half of us suffer from them. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked at 357 different studies on headaches from 1961 to 2020. The report was published in "The Journal of Headache and Pain". The studies were mainly from rich countries. They included information on general headaches, migraines, and headaches from tension. The researchers said that 52 per cent of people in the study suffered from some form of headache every year. The lead researcher, Lars Jacob Stovner, was surprised that the numbers were so big and that so many people got headaches.

The researchers found that women are more likely to get headaches than men. They said 17 per cent of women get migraines, compared to 9 per cent of men. Six per cent of women get headaches on 15 or more days a month, while the number is three per cent for men. Mr Stovner said: "What is clear is that overall, headache disorders are highly prevalent worldwide and can be a [great pain]." He said more people are getting headaches, saying: "The data does suggest that headaches and migraine rates may be increasing." Stovner added that more research was needed. He said it was important, "to analyze the different causes of headaches…to target prevention and treatment more effectively".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Headaches - Level 0 Headaches - Level 1   or  Headaches - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.sciencealert.com/over-50-of-world-s-population-is-likely-affected-by-this-health-disorder-every-year
  • https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2022/04/12/headaches-half-world/2751649783764/
  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2022/04/17/headache-disorders-migraines/


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. HEADACHES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about headaches. 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?
       headaches / alone / suffer / science / technology / information / tension / numbers /
       researchers / clear / worldwide / pain / data / prevention / treatment / effectively
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. LIFESTYLE: Students A strongly believe we should change our lifestyle to stop getting headaches; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. CAUSES: How bad are these headaches? What can we do about this? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How Bad

What We Can Do

No sleep

 

 

Stress

 

 

Overworking

 

 

Eyesight problems

 

 

Dehydration

 

 

Covid-19

 

 

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. SCIENCE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "science". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. NO HEADACHE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to make a headache go away at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Sleep
  • Water
  • Medicine
  • Meditation
  • A walk
  • Exercise
  • Chocolate
  • Relax

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. regular a. The way something looks or is.
      2. suffer b. Feel or experience bad or unpleasant things.
      3. published c. More than anything else.
      4. mainly d. Happening at the same or similar times or frequency.
      5. migraine e. Most important, head.
      6. form f. Prepare and issued a book, journal, or piece of music to sell to people.
      7. lead g. A very, very, very, very bad headache.

    Paragraph 2

      8. likely h. Happening or is everywhere at a particular time.
      9. clear i. Taking everything as a whole.
      10. overall j. Medical care given to a patient for an illness or injury.
      11. prevalent k. Such as well might happen or be true; probable.
      12. suggest l. Easy to see or understand.
      13. treatment m. In such a way as to get a good result.
      14. effectively n. Say something for people to think about.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says people who are alone get headaches.     T / F
  2. Researchers looked at 357 studies that gave them headaches.     T / F
  3. Researchers found that 52% of the study participants got headaches every year.     T / F
  4. A researcher was surprised that so many people got headaches.     T / F
  5. Women get more headaches than men.     T / F
  6. Men get more migraines than women.     T / F
  7. The number of people who get headaches is going down.     T / F
  8. A researcher wants to find ways to stop people from getting headaches.     T / F

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

  1. regular
  2. published
  3. mainly
  4. tension
  5. surprised
  6. likely
  7. clear
  8. prevalent
  9. causes
  10. treatment
  1. easy to see
  2. shocked
  3. probable
  4. widespread
  5. primarily
  6. therapy
  7. frequent
  8. reasons
  9. issued
  10. stress

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

  1. If you get regular headaches,
  2. A new report says half of us
  3. The studies were mainly from
  4. suffered from some form
  5. surprised that the numbers were
  6. women are more likely
  7. They said 17 per cent of women get
  8. headaches and migraine rates may
  9. analyze the different
  10. target prevention and treatment
  1. to get headaches
  2. so big
  3. causes of headaches
  4. rich countries
  5. be increasing
  6. suffer from them
  7. you are not alone
  8. more effectively
  9. of headache
  10. migraines

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
them
form
mainly
many
alone
surprised
studies
tension

If you get regular headaches, you are not (1) _____________________. A new report says half of us suffer from (2) _____________________. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked at 357 different (3) _____________________ on headaches from 1961 to 2020. The report was published in "The Journal of Headache and Pain". The studies were (4) _____________________ from rich countries. They included information on general headaches, migraines, and headaches from (5) _____________________. The researchers said that 52 per cent of people in the study suffered from some (6) _____________________ of headache every year. The lead researcher, Lars Jacob Stovner, was (7) _____________________ that the numbers were so big and that so (8) _____________________ people got headaches.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
clear
increasing
important
likely
effectively
highly
data
compared

The researchers found that women are more (9) _____________________ to get headaches than men. They said 17 per cent of women get migraines, (10) _____________________ to 9 per cent of men. Six per cent of women get headaches on 15 or more days a month, while the number is three per cent for men. Mr Stovner said: "What is (11) _____________________ is that overall, headache disorders are (12) _____________________ prevalent worldwide and can be a [great pain]." He said more people are getting headaches, saying: "The (13) _____________________ does suggest that headaches and migraine rates may be (14) _____________________." Stovner added that more research was needed. He said it was (15) _____________________, "to analyze the different causes of headaches...to target prevention and treatment more (16) _____________________".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) If you get regular headaches, you are not alone. A new report says half of us ______
     a.  suffers from them
     b.  suffer from then
     c.  suffer from them
     d.  surfer from then
2)  the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked at ______
     a.  357 different studies
     b.  358 different studies
     c.  356 different studies
     d.  352 different studies
3)  They included information on general headaches, migraines, and ______
     a.  headaches for tension
     b.  headaches from tension
     c.  headaches from tensions
     d.  headaches from tents shun
4)  researchers said that 52 per cent of people in the study suffered from some ______
     a.  farm of headache
     b.  firm of headache
     c.  form of headache
     d.  frame of headache
5)  Lars Jacob Stovner, was surprised that the numbers ______
     a.  were sow big
     b.  were sew big
     c.  were such big
     d.  were so big

6)  They said 17 per cent of women get migraines, compared to 9 per ______
     a.  cent to men
     b.  cent of men
     c.  cent on men
     d.  cent by men
7)  What is clear is that overall, headache disorders are ______
     a.  highly prevalent worldwide
     b.  highly prevalence worldwide
     c.  highly prevalently worldwide
     d.  highly preventing worldwide
8)  The data does suggest that headaches and migraine rates ______
     a.  may have increasing
     b.  may be increasing
     c.  may do increasing
     d.  may been increasing
9)  Stovner added that more ______
     a.  research was needed
     b.  research was needy
     c.  research was need is
     d.  research was need did
10)  causes of headaches...to target prevention and ______
     a.  treatment much effectively
     b.  treatment some effectively
     c.  treatment most effectively
     d.  treatment more effectively

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

If (1) ____________________ headaches, you are not alone. A new report says half of us (2) ____________________. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked at 357 (3) ____________________ headaches from 1961 to 2020. The report was published in "The Journal of Headache and Pain". The studies were (4) ____________________ countries. They included information on general headaches, migraines, and headaches from tension. The researchers said that 52 per cent of people in the study suffered from (5) ____________________ headache every year. The lead researcher, Lars Jacob Stovner, was surprised that the numbers (6) ____________________ and that so many people got headaches.

The researchers found that women are (7) ____________________ get headaches than men. They said 17 per cent of women get migraines, compared to 9 per cent of men. Six per cent of women (8) ____________________ 15 or more days a month, while the number is three per cent for men. Mr Stovner said: "What is clear (9) ____________________, headache disorders are highly prevalent worldwide and can be (10) ____________________." He said more people are getting headaches, saying: "The data does suggest that headaches and migraine (11) ____________________ increasing." Stovner added that more research was needed. He said it was important, "to analyze the different causes of headaches... (12) ____________________ and treatment more effectively".

Comprehension questions

  1. Who does the article say is not alone?
  2. How many different studies did the researchers look at?
  3. Where were most of the studies from?
  4. What percentage of people get a headache every year?
  5. How did a researcher feel about the percentages in the study?
  6. Who is more likely to suffer from a migraine?
  7. What percentage of men get a migraine on 15 days a month or more?
  8. Where does the article say headache disorders are prevalent?
  9. What does the article say migraine rates might be doing?
  10. What two things does a researcher want to target?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who does the article say is not alone?
a) researchers
b) lonely people
c) people who get headaches
d) people who never get headaches
2) How many different studies did the researchers look at?
a) 357
b) 537
c) 753
d) 735
3) Where were most of the studies from?
a) stressful countries
b) rich countries
c) poorer countries
d) all over the world
4) What percentage of people get a headache every year?
a) 42%
b) 48%
c) 50%
d) 52%
5) How did a researcher feel about the percentages in the study?
a) worried
b) sad
c) surprised
d) stressed

6) Who is more likely to suffer from a migraine?
a) old people
b) women
c) men
d) workers
7) What percentage of men get a migraine on 15 days a month or more?
a) 9%
b) 6%
c) 5%
d) 3%
8) Where does the article say headache disorders are prevalent?
a) rich countries
b) worldwide
c) in the head
d) in hospitals
9) What does the article say migraine rates might be doing?
a) decreasing
b) increasing
c) getting worse
d) becoming more stressful
10) What two things does a researcher want to target?
a) prevention and treatment
b) bows and arrows
c) heads and aches
d) goals and aims

Role play

Role  A – Sleep
You think sleeping is the best thing to make a headache go away. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): medicine, a walk or meditation.

Role  B – Medicine
You think medicine is the best thing to make a headache go away. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sleeping, a walk or meditation.

Role  C – A Walk
You think a walk is the best thing to make a headache go away. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): medicine, sleeping or meditation.

Role  D – Meditation
You think meditation is the best thing to make a headache go away. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): medicine, a walk or sleeping.

After reading / listening

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

'headache'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'population'.

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

    • alone
    • 357
    • rich
    • tension
    • 52
    • big
    • likely
    • 9
    • six
    • pain
    • added
    • target

    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 - Headaches

    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 'headache'?
    3. Do you ever get headaches?
    4. What's the best thing to do for a headache?
    5. How do headaches affect people?
    6. What do you think of half of people getting headaches?
    7. What's the difference between a headache and a migraine?
    8. Why do people in rich countries get so many headaches?
    9. What is the biggest headache in your life?
    10. What parts of your lifestyle could give you a headache?

    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 'population'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why do women get more headaches than men?
    5. How do headaches affect people's lives?
    6. What medicine is good for headaches?
    7. Can lifestyle changes stop headaches?
    8. Can nature affect headaches?
    9. How does the Internet affect people's headaches?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the researchers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

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

    (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)

    If you get (1) ____ headaches, you are not alone. A new report says half of us suffer from them. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked (2) ____ 357 different studies on headaches from 1961 to 2020. The report was (3) ____ in "The Journal of Headache and Pain". The studies were mainly from rich countries. They included information on (4) ____ headaches, migraines, and headaches from tension. The researchers said that 52 per cent of people in the study suffered (5) ____ some form of headache every year. The lead researcher, Lars Jacob Stovner, was surprised that the numbers were (6) ____ big and that so many people got headaches.

    The researchers found that women are more (7) ____ to get headaches than men. They said 17 per cent of women get migraines, compared (8) ____ 9 per cent of men. Six per cent of women get headaches on 15 or more days a month, while the number is three per cent for men. Mr Stovner said: "What is clear is that (9) ____, headache disorders are highly prevalent worldwide and can be a [great pain]." He said more people are getting headaches, saying: "The data does suggest that headaches and migraine (10) ____ may be increasing." Stovner added that more research was (11) ____. He said it was important, "to analyze the different causes of headaches...to target prevention and treatment more (12) ____".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     regularity     (b)     regulars     (c)     regularly     (d)     regular    
    2. (a)     down     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    3. (a)     publisher     (b)     published     (c)     publish     (d)     publishing    
    4. (a)     genial     (b)     genie     (c)     general     (d)     gentility    
    5. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     from     (d)     in    
    6. (a)     so     (b)     such     (c)     more     (d)     most    
    7. (a)     likes     (b)     likely     (c)     liking     (d)     likelihood    
    8. (a)     to     (b)     by     (c)     of     (d)     at    
    9. (a)     overalls     (b)     overall     (c)     overtly     (d)     overdone    
    10. (a)     ratio     (b)     rated     (c)     rates     (d)     rats    
    11. (a)     needy     (b)     needs     (c)     needed     (d)     need    
    12. (a)     reflective     (b)     affection     (c)     affect     (d)     effectively

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. If you get laeugrr headaches
    2. half of us erffus from them
    3. The report was published in the oalurjn
    4. information on general headaches, seinmgiar ...
    5. headaches from tnsoein
    6. The lead eecerharsr

    Paragraph 2

    1. women are more kliely to get headaches than men
    2. armdocep to 9 per cent of men
    3. disorders are highly rvnteeapl worldwide
    4. The data does tugesgs that
    5. anzelya the different causes of headaches
    6. target evpnenitro and treatment

    Put the text back together

    1  ) If you get regular headaches, you are not alone. A new report says half of us suffer from
    (...)  migraines, compared to 9 per cent of men. Six per cent of women get headaches on 15 or more days a
    (...)  added that more research was needed. He said it was important, "to analyze the different
    (...)  The researchers found that women are more likely to get headaches than men. They said 17 per cent of women get
    (...)  them. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked at 357 different studies on headaches from
    (...)  year. The lead researcher, Lars Jacob Stovner, was surprised that the numbers
    (...)  month, while the number is three per cent for men. Mr Stovner said: "What is clear is that overall, headache disorders are highly
    (...)  were so big and that so many people got headaches.
    (...)  said that 52 per cent of people in the study suffered from some form of headache every
    (...)  1961 to 2020. The report was published in "The Journal of Headache and Pain". The studies were mainly from rich
    (...)  countries. They included information on general headaches, migraines, and headaches from tension. The researchers
    (...)  prevalent worldwide and can be a [great pain]." He said more people are getting headaches, saying:
    (...)  causes of headaches...to target prevention and treatment more effectively".
    (...)  "The data does suggest that headaches and migraine rates may be increasing." Stovner

    Put the words in the right order

    1. headaches,   alone   .   If   you   regular   get   you're   not
    2. half   new   A   us   suffer   .   report   of   says
    3. headaches  They   general  migraines  .  and  information   on   included
    4. form   suffered   People   from   of   headache   .   some
    5. surprised   big   .   were   numbers   He   was   so   the
    6. likely   more   headaches   .   Women   to   get   are
    7. disorders   worldwide   .   are   Overall,   headache   prevalent   highly
    8. people   He   getting   more   headaches   .   said   are
    9. be   increasing   .   may   and   migraine   Headaches   rates
    10. the   analyze   important   causes   .   was   different   It   to

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    If you get regular / regularly headaches, you are not alone. A new report says half of them / us suffer from them. Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked on / at 357 different studies on headaches from 1961 to 2020. The report was published / publishing in "The Journal of Headache and Pain". The studies were mainly / manly from rich countries. They included information on / in general headaches, migraines, and headaches from tense / tension. The researchers said that 52 per cent of people in the study suffered from / for some form of headache every year. The leader / lead researcher, Lars Jacob Stovner, was surprised that the numbers were so big and that so / such many people got headaches.

    The researchers found that women are more likely / liked to get headaches than men. They said 17 per cent of women get migraines, compared at / to 9 per cent of men. Six per cent of women get headaches in / on 15 or more days a month, while the numeral / number is three per cent for men. Mr Stovner said: "What is clear / clarity is that overall, headache disorders are highly / high prevalent worldwide and can be a [great pain]." He said more people are get / getting headaches, saying: "The data does suggest that headaches and migraine rates may be increase / increasing." Stovner added that more research was needy / needed. He said it was important, "to analyze the different causes of headaches...to target prevention and treat / treatment more effectively".

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

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

    _f  y__  g_t  r_g_l_r  h__d_ch_s,  y__  _r_  n_t  _l_n_.  _  n_w  r_p_rt  s_ys  h_lf  _f  _s  s_ff_r  fr_m  th_m.  R_s__rch_rs  fr_m  th_  N_rw_g__n  _n_v_rs_ty  _f  Sc__nc_  _nd  T_chn_l_gy  l__k_d  _t  357  d_ff_r_nt  st_d__s  _n  h__d_ch_s  fr_m  1961  t_  2020.  Th_  r_p_rt  w_s  p_bl_sh_d  _n  "Th_  J__rn_l  _f  H__d_ch_  _nd  P__n".  Th_  st_d__s  w_r_  m__nly  fr_m  r_ch  c__ntr__s.  Th_y  _ncl_d_d  _nf_rm_t__n  _n  g_n_r_l  h__d_ch_s,  m_gr__n_s,  _nd  h__d_ch_s  fr_m  t_ns__n.  Th_  r_s__rch_rs  s__d  th_t  52  p_r  c_nt  _f  p__pl_  _n  th_  st_dy  s_ff_r_d  fr_m  s_m_  f_rm  _f  h__d_ch_  _v_ry  y__r.  Th_  l__d  r_s__rch_r,  L_rs  J_c_b  St_vn_r,  w_s  s_rpr_s_d  th_t  th_  n_mb_rs  w_r_  s_  b_g  _nd  th_t  s_  m_ny  p__pl_  g_t  h__d_ch_s.

    Th_  r_s__rch_rs  f__nd  th_t  w_m_n  _r_  m_r_  l_k_ly  t_  g_t  h__d_ch_s  th_n  m_n.  Th_y  s__d  17  p_r  c_nt  _f  w_m_n  g_t  m_gr__n_s,  c_mp_r_d  t_  9  p_r  c_nt  _f  m_n.  S_x  p_r  c_nt  _f  w_m_n  g_t  h__d_ch_s  _n  15  _r  m_r_  d_ys  _  m_nth,  wh_l_  th_  n_mb_r  _s  thr__  p_r  c_nt  f_r  m_n.  Mr  St_vn_r  s__d:  "Wh_t  _s  cl__r  _s  th_t  _v_r_ll,  h__d_ch_  d_s_rd_rs  _r_  h_ghly  pr_v_l_nt  w_rldw_d_  _nd  c_n  b_  _  [gr__t  p__n]."  H_  s__d  m_r_  p__pl_  _r_  g_tt_ng  h__d_ch_s,  s_y_ng:  "Th_  d_t_  d__s  s_gg_st  th_t  h__d_ch_s  _nd  m_gr__n_  r_t_s  m_y  b_  _ncr__s_ng."  St_vn_r  _dd_d  th_t  m_r_  r_s__rch  w_s  n__d_d.  H_  s__d  _t  w_s  _mp_rt_nt,  "t_  _n_lyz_  th_  d_ff_r_nt  c__s_s  _f  h__d_ch_s...t_  t_rg_t  pr_v_nt__n  _nd  tr__tm_nt  m_r_  _ff_ct_v_ly".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    if you get regular headaches you are not alone a new report says half of us suffer from them researchers from the norwegian university of science and technology looked at 357 different studies on headaches from 1961 to 2020 the report was published in the journal of headache and pain the studies were mainly from rich countries they included information on general headaches migraines and headaches from tension the researchers said that 52 per cent of people in the study suffered from some form of headache every year the lead researcher lars jacob stovner was surprised that the numbers were so big and that so many people got headaches

    the researchers found that women are more likely to get headaches than men they said 17 per cent of women get migraines compared to 9 per cent of men six per cent of women get headaches on 15 or more days a month while the number is three per cent for men mr stovner said what is clear is that overall headache disorders are highly prevalent worldwide and can be a great pain he said more people are getting headaches saying the data does suggest that headaches and migraine rates may be increasing stovner added that more research was needed he said it was important to analyze the different causes of headachesto target prevention and treatment more effectively

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Ifyougetregularheadaches,youarenotalone.Anewreportsayshalfofu
    ssufferfromthem.ResearchersfromtheNorwegianUniversityofScienc
    eandTechnologylookedat357differentstudiesonheadachesfrom196
    1to2020.Thereportwaspublishedin"TheJournalofHeadacheandPain"
    .Thestudiesweremainlyfromrichcountries.Theyincludedinformation
    ongeneralheadaches,migraines,andheadachesfromtension.Theres
    earcherssaidthat52percentofpeopleinthestudysufferedfromsomefo
    rmofheadacheeveryyear.Theleadresearcher,LarsJacobStovner,was
    surprisedthatthenumbersweresobigandthatsomanypeoplegothead
    aches.Theresearchersfoundthatwomenaremorelikelytogetheadach
    esthanmen.Theysaid17percentofwomengetmigraines,comparedto
    9percentofmen.Sixpercentofwomengetheadacheson15ormoredays
    amonth,whilethenumberisthreepercentformen.MrStovnersaid:"Wh
    atisclearisthatoverall,headachedisordersarehighlyprevalentworldwi
    deandcanbea[greatpain]."Hesaidmorepeoplearegettingheadaches,
    saying:"Thedatadoessuggestthatheadachesandmigraineratesmayb
    eincreasing."Stovneraddedthatmoreresearchwasneeded.Hesaiditw
    asimportant,"toanalyzethedifferentcausesofheadaches...totargetpr
    eventionandtreatmentmoreeffectively".

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    More money should be spent on headache research. 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. HEADACHES: Make a poster about headaches. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. DAYS OFF: Write a magazine article about making it OK to take days off school and work for headaches. 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 headaches. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on what to ake a headache go away. 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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