Breaking News English Lesson: Third State

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'Third state' exists beyond life and death, says study (23rd September 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Third State - Level 6

A thought-provoking study from scientists in the USA has suggested a "third state" that exists after life and death. This somewhat mind-blowing concept posits a phenomenon in which the cells in the organs of a deceased body adopt new functions after the body dies. Biologist Peter Nobel and bioinformatics researcher Alex Pozhitkov explained how cells transform after their host organism dies. The scientists wrote: "These findings demonstrate the inherent plasticity of cellular systems and challenge the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only in predetermined ways." They added: "The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant role in how life transforms over time."

The scientists suggested the existence of two kinds of "biobot" that are integral in the mechanics of the third state. Wiktionary.org defines a biobot as: "A robot that is partly or wholly biological in nature, as for example…plant cells or animal cells that can perform tasks such as moving and reacting." The researchers termed one biobot as a "xenobot". This reorganizes cells into a new multi-cellular organism. Other biobots are "anthrobots". These are capable of self-assembling cells and moving around. The scientists said xenobots exist "beyond the traditional boundaries of life and death". They added the bots offer "prospects for new treatments" and personalized and preventive medicine.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Third State - Level 4 or Third State - Level 5

Sources

https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/health/a62244774/biobots-third-state/
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/biobot
https://www.sciencealert.com/these-creatures-occupy-third-state-beyond-life-and-death-scientists-say
https://metro.co.uk/2024/09/16/bodies-dont-die-scientists-discover-third-state-life-21614609/

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. BODILY CELLS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about bodily cells. 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?
thought-provoking / scientists / third state / life / death / organism / plasticity / time /
biobots / plant cells / animal cells / tasks / researchers / treatments / medicine
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DEATH: Students A strongly believe there is life after death; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. LIFE AND DEATH: What would you like to do in life? How would you like to be remembered in death? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Life	Death
Hobbies
Exercise
Friends
Job
English
Achievements

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

Baldness
No teeth decay
Bigger muscles
Perfect vision
No headaches
No wrinkles
No hay fever
Better concentration

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	thought-provoking	a.	Something that is really, really, really surprising or amazing.
2.	mind-blowing	b.	An animal or plant on or in which a parasite or organism lives.
3.	phenomenon	c.	Something that is decided or fixed before it happens.
4.	host (noun)	d.	An unusual event or thing that you can see or experience.
5.	inherent	e.	To change and develop slowly over time.
6.	evolve	f.	Something that makes you think a lot about an idea or question.
7.	predetermined	g.	A quality or feature that is a natural part of something.

Paragraph 2

8.	integral	h.	To explain the meaning of a word or idea.
9.	define	i.	Any living thing, like a plant, animal, or person.
10.	organism	j.	Something that helps stop something bad from happening.
11.	capable	k.	To be real or to be present in the world.
12.	exist	l.	Having the ability to do something.
13.	boundary	m.	An important part of something that is necessary.
14.	preventive	n.	A line or limit that separates two areas.

Before reading / listening

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

The article says a study from America will make people think. T / F
The writer says the concept of a third state could blow people's minds. T / F
Scientists say some cells are made from plastic. T / F
The death of organs could play a role in our evolution. T / F
The scientists say two kinds of biobot are active in the third state. T / F
Biobots are all wholly biological in nature. T / F
Anthrobots reorganize cells into new multi-cellular organisms. T / F
Anthrobots and xenobots could lead to personalized medicines. T / F

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

suggested
somewhat
adopt
predetermined
significant
integral
termed
boundaries
prospects
medicine

fundamental
set
dividing lines
relatively
named
remedies
argued
possibilities
take on
crucial

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

A thought-
the cells in the organs of a
the inherent plasticity
cells and organisms can evolve only in
organismal death may play
the existence of two
animal cells that can
This reorganizes cells into a new
beyond the traditional boundaries
new treatments and personalized and

of cellular systems
of life and death
a significant role
preventive medicine
predetermined ways
perform tasks
provoking study
kinds of "biobot"
multi-cellular organism
deceased body

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

researcher
posits
organism
ways
exists
role
organs
plasticity

A thought-provoking study from scientists in the USA has suggested a "third state" that (1) _________________________________ after life and death. This somewhat mind-blowing concept (2) _________________________________ a phenomenon in which the cells in the (3) _________________________________ of a deceased body adopt new functions after the body dies. Biologist Peter Nobel and bioinformatics (4) _________________________________ Alex Pozhitkov explained how cells transform after their host (5) _________________________________ dies. The scientists wrote: "These findings demonstrate the inherent (6) _________________________________ of cellular systems and challenge the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only in predetermined (7) _________________________________." They added: "The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant (8) _________________________________ in how life transforms over time."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

termed
defines
medicine
tasks
capable
integral
boundaries
organism

The scientists suggested the existence of two kinds of "biobot" that are (9) _________________________________ in the mechanics of the third state. Wiktionary.org (10) _________________________________ a biobot as: "A robot that is partly or wholly biological in nature, as for example…plant cells or animal cells that can perform (11) _________________________________ such as moving and reacting." The researchers (12) _________________________________ one biobot as a "xenobot". This reorganizes cells into a new multi-cellular (13) _________________________________. Other biobots are "anthrobots". These are (14) _________________________________ of self-assembling cells and moving around. The scientists said xenobots exist "beyond the traditional (15) _________________________________ of life and death". They added the bots offer "prospects for new treatments" and personalized and preventive (16) _________________________________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) a phenomenon in which the cells in the organs of a deceased body ______
     a. adopt new functional
     b. adopt new function
     c. adopt new functions
     d. adopt new functioned
2) Alex Pozhitkov explained how cells transform after their ______
     a. host organism dies
     b. hosed organism dies
     c. hots organism dies
     d. ghost organism dies
3) The scientists wrote: "These findings demonstrate ______"
     a. the inherent plaster city
     b. the inherent plausibility
     c. the inherent plastic city
     d. the inherent plasticity
4) challenge the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only ______
     a. in predeterminate ways
     b. in predetermined ways
     c. in predetermined weighs
     d. in predeterminate whys
5) The third state suggests that organismal death may play ______
     a. a significant role
     b. a significant roll
     c. a significant troll
     d. a significant rule

6) Wiktionary.org defines a biobot as: "A robot that is partly or wholly ______
     a. biological in nature
     b. biological on nature
     c. biological immature
     d. biological in mature
7) plant cells or animal cells that can perform tasks such as ______
     a. moving and react tin
     b. moving and reactive
     c. moving and reaction
     d. moving and reacting
8) researchers termed one biobot as a "xenobot". This reorganizes cells into a new ______
     a. multi-cell yule are organism
     b. multi-cellular organics
     c. multi-cellular organism
     d. multi-cellular organizing
9) The scientists said xenobots exist beyond ______
     a. the traditionally boundaries
     b. the traditional boundaries
     c. the tradition all boundaries
     d. the traditionally boundaries
10) "prospects for new treatments" and personalized ______
     a. and prevented medicine
     b. and prevention medicine
     c. and preventive medicine
     d. and preventable medicine

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A thought-provoking study from scientists in the USA has suggested a "third state" (1) _______________________________________________ life and death. This somewhat mind-blowing concept posits a phenomenon in which the cells in the organs of a deceased body (2) _______________________________________________ after the body dies. Biologist Peter Nobel and bioinformatics researcher Alex Pozhitkov explained how cells transform after (3) _______________________________________________ dies. The scientists wrote: "These findings demonstrate (4) _______________________________________________ of cellular systems and challenge the idea that cells and (5) _______________________________________________ only in predetermined ways." They added: "The third state suggests that organismal death may play a (6) _______________________________________________ how life transforms over time."

The scientists suggested (7) _______________________________________________ two kinds of "biobot" that are integral in the mechanics of the third state. Wiktionary.org defines a biobot as: "A robot that is partly (8) _______________________________________________ in nature, as for example…plant cells or animal cells that can perform tasks such as (9) _______________________________________________." The researchers termed one biobot as a "xenobot". This reorganizes cells into a new multi-cellular organism. Other biobots are "anthrobots". These (10) _______________________________________________ self-assembling cells and moving around. The scientists said xenobots exist "(11) _______________________________________________ boundaries of life and death". They added the bots offer "prospects for new treatments" and (12) _______________________________________________ medicine.

Comprehension questions

What adjective did the writer use to describe the study from the USA?
What might the cells in organs adopt after the body dies?
What's the job of Alex Pozhitkov?
What did the researchers say was inherent about cellular systems?
What kind of role might the death of organs play in transforming life?
How many kinds of biobots did the researchers write about?
What tasks do biobots perform?
What new thing do xenobots create?
What do xenobots exist beyond the boundaries of?
What might biobots lead to in the future?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What adjective did the writer use to describe the study from the USA?
a) explosive
b) thought-provoking
c) revolutionary
d) suggestive
2) What might the cells in organs adopt after the body dies?
a) DNA
b) a nucleus
c) surrogates
d) new functions
3) What's the job of Alex Pozhitkov?
a) bioinformatics researcher
b) a biologist
c) a member of the Nobel committee
d) a robotics engineer
4) What did the researchers say was inherent about cellular systems?
a) their pliability
b) circularity
c) plasticity
d) networking
5) What kind of role might the death of organs play in transforming life?
a) a transformative role
b) a significant role
c) an unexplained role
d) a minor role

6) How many kinds of biobots did the researchers write about?
a) 4
b) 3
c) 2
d) 1
7) What tasks do biobots perform?
a) repairing and consolidating
b) reproducing and regenerating
c) doubling and trebling
d) moving and reacting
8) What new thing do xenobots create?
a) multi-cellular organisms
b) platelets
c) anti-bodies
d) life
9) What do xenobots exist beyond the boundaries of?
a) life and death
b) plausibility
c) existence
d) science
10) What might biobots lead to in the future?
a) peace
b) new treatments and medicines
c) eternal life
d) cyborgs

Role play

Role A – Baldness
You think baldness is the thing we need a treatment for most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why treatments for their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): perfect vision, no wrinkles or better concentration.

Role B – Perfect Vision
You think perfect vision is the thing we need a treatment for most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why treatments for their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): baldness, no wrinkles or better concentration.

Role C – No Wrinkles
You think no wrinkles is the thing we need a treatment for most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why treatments for their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): perfect vision, baldness or better concentration.

Role D – Better Concentration
You think better concentration is the thing we need a treatment for most. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why treatments for their things aren't as important. Also, tell the others which is the least important of these (and why): perfect vision, no wrinkles or baldness.

After reading / listening

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

'life'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'death'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

thought

concept

host

findings

evolve

role

two

partly

nature

new

beyond

medicine

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 - Third State

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'life'?
What do you think of life and death?
What happens after we die?
What do you know about cells?
Would you like to live longer?
What kind of science would you like to get into?
How mind-blowing is it that there is a third state?
How does life transform over time?
What age would you like to live to be?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'death'?
What do you think about what you read?
Is there life after death?
What would you think if medicine enabled us to live to be 200?
What do you think of biobots?
What will medicine be like in 100 years from now?
What do you think of science?
How great is life?
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)

A thought-(1) ____ study from scientists in the USA has suggested a "third state" that (2) ____ after life and death. This somewhat mind-blowing concept posits a phenomenon (3) ____ which the cells in the organs of a deceased body adopt new functions after the body dies. Biologist Peter Nobel and bioinformatics researcher Alex Pozhitkov explained how cells transform after their (4) ____ organism dies. The scientists wrote: "These findings demonstrate the inherent (5) ____ of cellular systems and challenge the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only in predetermined ways." They added: "The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant role (6) ____ how life transforms over time."

The scientists suggested the existence of two kinds of "biobot" that are integral (7) ____ the mechanics of the third state. Wiktionary.org defines a biobot as: "A robot that is partly or wholly biological in nature, (8) ____ for example…plant cells or animal cells that can perform tasks such as moving and reacting." The researchers (9) ____ one biobot as a "xenobot". This reorganizes cells into a new multi-cellular organism. Other biobots are "anthrobots". These are (10) ____ of self-assembling cells and moving around. The scientists said xenobots exist "(11) ____ the traditional boundaries of life and death". They added the bots offer "prospects for new treatments," and personalized and (12) ____ medicine.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a)     provocative     (b)     provoking     (c)     provocation     (d)     provocatively
(a)     exerts     (b)     exists     (c)     exits     (d)     exacts
(a)     to     (b)     on     (c)     as     (d)     in
(a)     ghost     (b)     host     (c)     hostess     (d)     haste
(a)     claylike     (b)     plasticity     (c)     ironed     (d)     earthy
(a)     of     (b)     as     (c)     in     (d)     if
(a)     at     (b)     to     (c)     in     (d)     on
(a)     this     (b)     by     (c)     as     (d)     to
(a)     tamed     (b)     teemed     (c)     teamed     (d)     termed
(a)     capable     (b)     culpable     (c)     copiable     (d)     capacity
(a)     beyond     (b)     yonder     (c)     yon     (d)     bedeck
(a)     prevention     (b)     preventable     (c)     preventive     (d)     prevented

Spelling

Paragraph 1

A thought-nripogkvo study
mind-blowing concept posits a ponoeenmhn
the organs of a sdeadeec body
the ihnenert plasticity
evolve only in depdetreinemr ways
play a ntsfiaciign role

Paragraph 2

the snxceieet of two kinds of "biobot"
gaierlnt in the mechanics
a new multi-luaellrc organism
capable of self-lbesgamsni cells
traditional nedbuorsai of life and death
eitvpevnre medicine

Put the text back together

(...)   and reacting." The researchers termed one biobot as a "xenobot". This reorganizes cells into a new multi-cellular
(...)   researcher Alex Pozhitkov explained how cells transform after their host organism
(...)   the bots offer "prospects for new treatments" and personalized and preventive medicine.
(...)   dies. The scientists wrote: "These findings demonstrate the inherent plasticity of cellular systems and challenge
(...)   organism. Other biobots are "anthrobots". These are capable of self-assembling cells and moving
(...)   and death. This somewhat mind-blowing concept posits a phenomenon in which the cells in the organs
(...)   "The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant role in how life transforms over time."
(...)   of a deceased body adopt new functions after the body dies. Biologist Peter Nobel and bioinformatics
(...)   around. The scientists said xenobots exist "beyond the traditional boundaries of life and death". They added
(...)   The scientists suggested the existence of two kinds of "biobot" that are integral in the
(...)   mechanics of the third state. Wiktionary.org defines a biobot as: "A robot that is partly or wholly biological in
(...)   the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only in predetermined ways." They added:
( 1 )    A thought-provoking study from scientists in the USA has suggested a "third state" that exists after life
(...)   nature, as for example…plant cells or animal cells that can perform tasks such as moving

Put the words in the right order

bodies   .   cells   organs   of   in   the   The   deceased
cells   after   transform   their   organism   How   dies   .   host
inherent   plasticity   cellular   demonstrate   Findings   of   systems   .   the
ways   .   in   organisms   predetermined   The   evolve   can   only
significant   a   transforms   .   Play   how   role   life   in
kinds   .   the   Scientists   two   of   existence   suggested
robot   biological   .   is   A   partly   wholly   that   or
can   perform   that   Cells   such   moving   .   as   tasks
termed   "xenobot"   .   The   as   researchers   a   biobot   one
life   of   Beyond   death   .   and   boundaries   traditional   the

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A thought-provoking / provocation study from scientists in the USA has suggested a "third state" that exits / exists after life and death. This somewhat mind-blowing concept posts / posits a phenomenon in which the cells in the organs of a deceased body adopt / adept new functions after the body demise / dies. Biologist Peter Nobel and bioinformatics researcher Alex Pozhitkov explained how / thus cells transform after their host organism dies. The scientists wrote: "These findings demonstrate the inherent plasticity of / for cellular systems and challenge the idea that / what cells and organisms can evolve only on / in predetermined ways." They added: "The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significance / significant role in how life transforms over time."

The scientists suggested the exits / existence of two kinds of "biobot" that are integral / integers in the mechanics of the third state. Wiktionary.org defines a biobot as: "A robot that is partly or whole / wholly biological in nature, as for example…plant cells or animal cells that can perform tasks such was / as moving and reacting." The researchers termed / teemed one biobot as a "xenobot". This reorganizing / reorganizes cells into a new multi-cellular organism. Other biobots are "anthrobots". These are culpable / capable of self-assembling cells and moving abound / around. The scientists said xenobots exist "beyond / yonder the traditional boundaries of life and death". They added the bots offer "prospects for / at new treatments" and personalized and preventive medicine.

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)

_ th__ght-pr_v_k_ng st_dy fr_m sc__nt_sts _n th_ _S_ h_s s_gg_st_d _ "th_rd st_t_" th_t _x_sts _ft_r l_f_ _nd d__th. Th_s s_m_wh_t m_nd-bl_w_ng c_nc_pt p_s_ts _ ph_n_m_n_n _n wh_ch th_ c_lls _n th_ _rg_ns _f _ d_c__s_d b_dy _d_pt n_w f_nct__ns _ft_r th_ b_dy d__s. B__l_g_st P_t_r N_b_l _nd b___nf_rm_t_cs r_s__rch_r _l_x P_zh_tk_v _xpl__n_d h_w c_lls tr_nsf_rm _ft_r th__r h_st _rg_n_sm d__s. Th_ sc__nt_sts wr_t_: "Th_s_ f_nd_ngs d_m_nstr_t_ th_ _nh_r_nt pl_st_c_ty _f c_ll_l_r syst_ms _nd ch_ll_ng_ th_ _d__ th_t c_lls _nd _rg_n_sms c_n _v_lv_ _nly _n pr_d_t_rm_n_d w_ys." Th_y _dd_d: "Th_ th_rd st_t_ s_gg_sts th_t _rg_n_sm_l d__th m_y pl_y _ s_gn_f_c_nt r_l_ _n h_w l_f_ tr_nsf_rms _v_r t_m_."

Th_ sc__nt_sts s_gg_st_d th_ _x_st_nc_ _f tw_ k_nds _f "b__b_t" th_t _r_ _nt_gr_l _n th_ m_ch_n_cs _f th_ th_rd st_t_. W_kt__n_ry._rg d_f_n_s _ b__b_t _s: "_ r_b_t th_t _s p_rtly _r wh_lly b__l_g_c_l _n n_t_r_, _s f_r _x_mpl_…pl_nt c_lls _r _n_m_l c_lls th_t c_n p_rf_rm t_sks s_ch _s m_v_ng _nd r__ct_ng." Th_ r_s__rch_rs t_rm_d _n_ b__b_t _s _ "x_n_b_t". Th_s r__rg_n_z_s c_lls _nt_ _ n_w m_lt_-c_ll_l_r _rg_n_sm. _th_r b__b_ts _r_ "_nthr_b_ts". Th_s_ _r_ c_p_bl_ _f s_lf-_ss_mbl_ng c_lls _nd m_v_ng _r__nd. Th_ sc__nt_sts s__d x_n_b_ts _x_st "b_y_nd th_ tr_d_t__n_l b__nd_r__s _f l_f_ _nd d__th". Th_y _dd_d th_ b_ts _ff_r "pr_sp_cts f_r n_w tr__tm_nts" _nd p_rs_n_l_z_d _nd pr_v_nt_v_ m_d_c_n_.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a thoughtprovoking study from scientists in the usa has suggested a third state that exists after life and death this somewhat mindblowing concept posits a phenomenon in which the cells in the organs of a deceased body adopt new functions after the body dies biologist peter nobel and bioinformatics researcher alex pozhitkov explained how cells transform after their host organism dies the scientists wrote these findings demonstrate the inherent plasticity of cellular systems and challenge the idea that cells and organisms can evolve only in predetermined ways they added the third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant role in how life transforms over time

the scientists suggested the existence of two kinds of biobot that are integral in the mechanics of the third state wiktionaryorg defines a biobot as a robot that is partly or wholly biological in nature as for exampleplant cells or animal cells that can perform tasks such as moving and reacting the researchers termed one biobot as a xenobot this reorganizes cells into a new multicellular organism other biobots are anthrobots these are capable of selfassembling cells and moving around the scientists said xenobots exist beyond the traditional boundaries of life and death they added the bots offer prospects for new treatments and personalized and preventive medicine

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Athought-provokingstudyfromscientistsintheUSAhassuggesteda"t
hirdstate"thatexistsafterlifeanddeath.Thissomewhatmind-blowin
gconceptpositsaphenomenoninwhichthecellsintheorgansofadeceas
edbodyadoptnewfunctionsafterthebodydies.BiologistPeterNobelan
dbioinformaticsresearcherAlexPozhitkovexplainedhowcellstransfor
maftertheirhostorganismdies.Thescientistswrote:"Thesefindingsde
monstratetheinherentplasticityofcellularsystemsandchallengetheid
eathatcellsandorganismscanevolveonlyinpredeterminedways."The
yadded:"Thethirdstatesuggeststhatorganismaldeathmayplayasigni
ficantroleinhowlifetransformsover time."Thescientistssuggestedthe
existenceoftwokindsof"biobot"thatareintegralinthemechanicsofthet
hirdstate.Wiktionary.orgdefinesabiobotas:"Arobotthatispartlyorwh
ollybiologicalinnature,asforexample…plantcellsoranimalcellsthatca
nperformtaskssuchasmovingandreacting."Theresearcherstermedo
nebiobotasa"xenobot".Thisreorganizescellsintoanewmulti-cellularo
rganism.Otherbiobotsare"anthrobots".Thesearecapableofself-asse
mblingcellsandmovingaround.Thescientistssaidxenobotsexist"beyo
ndthetraditionalboundariesoflifeanddeath".Theyaddedthebotsoffer
"prospectsfornewtreatments"andpersonalizedandpreventivemedici
ne.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

There is life after death. Discuss.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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. BODILY CELLS: Make a poster about bodily cells. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. THE THIRD STATE: Write a magazine article about the third state. Include imaginary interviews with people who believe and disbelieve 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 bodily cells. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions of a third state. 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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Breaking News English Lesson: Third State

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