The Reading / Listening - Protein - Level 3

There are many things that can shorten our lives. In particular, many kinds of food are bad for us. A new study suggests eating protein could make us age faster. This is the opposite to what we have been told for decades. Scientists usually tell us that eating meat and dairy products helps us to live longer. The new study is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. Researchers found that a high-protein diet without exercise leads to an increase in body fat in only four months. Professor Dudley Lamming said: "People who are eating more protein tend to have higher rates of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even potentially a shorter lifespan."

Protein is an essential part of our diet. It is made up of amino acids. These help us build muscle and keep our bodies strong. We can find protein in many foods, including in meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs. If people eat a vegetarian diet, they can find protein in beans, lentils, nuts, and tofu. In many parts of the world, people are eating too much protein. Supermarkets are full of protein-packed food, protein powder, and energy bars. Consuming these could be reducing our longevity. Professor Lamming said: "Because most people are relatively sedentary, they are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Protein - Level 0,  Protein - Level 1   or  Protein - Level 2

Sources
  • https://health.yahoo.com/wellness/nutrition/articles/eating-less-protein-could-help-150000857.html
  • https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/reduce-protein-intake-healthy-ageing-study_uk_6a6b5520e4b0fddbd71349cb
  • https://www.telegraph.co.uk/health-fitness/diet/nutrition/why-eating-too-much-protein-could-shorten-your-life/


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. DIET: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about your diet. 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?
       food that is bad / age / meat / dairy products / protein / diet / exercise / fat / cancer /
       amino acids / muscle / fish / beans / nuts / tofu / supermarkets / energy bars / health
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. VEGETARIAN: Students A strongly believe we should all be vegetarians; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. DAIRY PRODUCTS: What do you know about these dairy products? What do you think of them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

What I Think

Milk

 

 

Butter

 

 

Cheese

 

 

Cream

 

 

Yoghurt

 

 

Ice cream

 

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

  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Beans
  • Cheese
  • Nuts
  • Salmon
  • Tofu
  • Eggs

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. shorten a. To make something become shorter or last for less time.
      2. in particular b. A serious disease in which harmful cells grow in the body.
      3. opposite c. Especially.
      4. decades d. To usually do something or happen in a certain way.
      5. tend to e. Completely different from something else.
      6. cancer f. Periods of ten years.
      7. lifespan g. The length of time that a person lives.

    Paragraph 2

      8. essential h. A long life.
      9. muscle i. Eating or drinking something.
      10. dairy j. Very important and necessary.
      11. consuming k. Spending a lot of time sitting and not being very active.
      12. longevity l. The part of the body that helps you move.
      13. sedentary m. The results or effects of an action or event.
      14. consequences n. Foods made from milk.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says all food can shorten our lives.     T / F
  2. The article says eating protein could make us get old more quickly.     T / F
  3. A new study suggests the opposite to what scientists once believed.     T / F
  4. Eating protein could mean a higher change of getting heart disease.     T / F
  5. Protein is made up of citric and acetic acid.     T / F
  6. The article says protein is in lentils and tofu.     T / F
  7. The article says supermarkets are full of food packed with protein.     T / F
  8. A professor said most people get a lot of exercise.     T / F

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

  1. in particular
  2. age
  3. opposite
  4. developing
  5. even
  6. essential
  7. reducing
  8. sedentary
  9. consuming
  10. consequences
  1. eating
  2. getting
  3. important
  4. sitting
  5. especially
  6. results
  7. surprisingly
  8. grow old
  9. cutting
  10. reverse

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

  1. There are many things that can
  2. eating protein could make
  3. the opposite to what we have been
  4. meat and dairy
  5. cardiovascular
  6. Protein is an essential
  7. eat a vegetarian
  8. supermarkets are full of protein-
  9. most people are relatively
  10. consuming more protein than they
  1. disease
  2. told for decades
  3. diet
  4. sedentary
  5. shorten our lives
  6. products
  7. part of our diet
  8. us age faster
  9. actually need
  10. packed food

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
fat
longer
age
disease
shorten
diet
tend
decades

There are many things that can (1) ______________________________________________ our lives. In particular, many kinds of food are bad for us. A new study suggests eating protein could make us (2) ______________________________________________ faster. This is the opposite to what we have been told for (3) ______________________________________________. Scientists usually tell us that eating meat and dairy products helps us to live (4) ______________________________________________. The new study is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. Researchers found that a high-protein (5) ______________________________________________ without exercise leads to an increase in body (6) ______________________________________________ in only four months. Professor Dudley Lamming said: "People who are eating more protein (7) ______________________________________________ to have higher rates of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular (8) ______________________________________________, and even potentially a shorter lifespan."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
bars
likely
muscle
nuts
part
negative
longevity
products

Protein is an essential (9) ______________________________________________ of our diet. It is made up of amino acids. These help us build (10) ______________________________________________ and keep our bodies strong. We can find protein in many foods, including in meat, fish, dairy (11) ______________________________________________, and eggs. If people eat a vegetarian diet, they can find protein in beans, lentils, (12) ______________________________________________, and tofu. In many parts of the world, people are eating too much protein. Supermarkets are full of protein-packed food, protein powder, and energy (13) ______________________________________________. Consuming these could be reducing our (14) ______________________________________________. Professor Lamming said: "Because most people are relatively sedentary, they are (15) ______________________________________________ consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has (16) ______________________________________________ health consequences."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) There are many things that can ______
     a.  shorten our alive
     b.  shorter our lives
     c.  shore ten our lives
     d.  short ten our lives
2)  A new study suggests eating protein could make ______
     a.  usage faster
     b.  us age fasts
     c.  us age faster
     d.  us aged faster
3)  This is the opposite to what we have been ______
     a.  told for decades
     b.  told four decades
     c.  told fore decades
     d.  told ford decades
4)  a high-protein diet without exercise leads to an increase ______
     a.  in bodily fat
     b.  in body fat
     c.  embody fat
     d.  an body fat
5)  People who are eating more protein tend to have higher rates ______
     a.  of develop in cancer
     b.  off developing cancer
     c.  of developing cancer
     d.  of develop ping cancer

6)  Protein is an essential part ______
     a.  off our diet
     b.  offer diet
     c.  of hour diet
     d.  of our diet
7)  We can find protein in many foods, ______
     a.  include din in meat
     b.  include in in meat
     c.  including on meat
     d.  including in meat
8)  In many parts of the world, people are eating ______
     a.  too mulch protein
     b.  tomb much protein
     c.  too much protein
     d.  to much protein
9)  Consuming these could be ______
     a.  reduce in our longevity
     b.  reduce sin our longevity
     c.  reducing our longevity
     d.  deducing our longevity
10)  they are likely consuming more protein than ______
     a.  they actual need
     b.  they actual need
     c.  they actually need
     d.  they actually needs

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

There are many things that can (1) __________________________________________________. In particular, many kinds of food are bad for us. A new study suggests eating protein could make (2) __________________________________________________. This is the opposite to what we have been told for decades. Scientists usually tell us that eating (3) __________________________________________________ products helps us to live longer. The new study is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. Researchers found that a high-protein diet without exercise (4) __________________________________________________ increase in body fat in only four months. Professor Dudley Lamming said: "People who are eating more protein (5) __________________________________________________ higher rates of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and (6) __________________________________________________ shorter lifespan."

Protein is (7) __________________________________________________ of our diet. It is made up of amino acids. These help us (8) __________________________________________________ keep our bodies strong. We can find protein in many foods, including in meat, fish, dairy products, and eggs. If people eat (9) __________________________________________________, they can find protein in beans, lentils, nuts, and tofu. In many parts of the world, people are eating too much protein. Supermarkets are full of (10) __________________________________________________, protein powder, and energy bars. Consuming these could (11) __________________________________________________ longevity. Professor Lamming said: "Because most people are relatively sedentary, they are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably (12) __________________________________________________ consequences."

Comprehension questions

  1. What in particular does the article say is bad for us?
  2. What does a new study say could make us age faster?
  3. Who has told us that that eating meat and dairy helps us to live longer?
  4. What does a high-protein diet and no exercise lead to?
  5. What problems could eating protein create besides cancer and diabetes?
  6. What is protein made up of?
  7. Who can find protein in tofu, nuts, and beans?
  8. What does the article say is full of protein-packed food?
  9. What did a professor say most people were?
  10. What health consequences does eating too much protein have?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What in particular does the article say is bad for us?
a) meat
b) many kinds of food
c) processed foods
d) ultra-processed foods
2) What does a new study say could make us age faster?
a) a lack of sleep
b) stress
c) eating processed foods
d) eating protein
3) Who has told us that that eating meat and dairy helps us to live longer?
a) farmers
b) nutritionists
c) scientists
d) doctors
4) What does a high-protein diet and no exercise lead to?
a) an increase in body fat
b) memory loss
c) hair loss
d) headaches
5) What problems could eating protein create besides cancer and diabetes?
a) a bad back
b) cardiovascular disease
c) difficulties breathing
d) an increase in smartphone use

6) What is protein made up of?
a) amino acids
b) fats
c) carbohydrates
d) white cells
7) Who can find protein in tofu, nuts, and beans?
a) chefs
b) children
c) vegetarians
d) supermarket owners
8) What does the article say is full of protein-packed food?
a) supermarkets
b) restaurants
c) vending machines
d) food magazines
9) What did a professor say most people were?
a) constantly full
b) greedy
c) hungry
d) sedentary
10) What health consequences does eating too much protein have?
a) worrying consequences
b) positive consequences
c) negative consequences
d) healthy consequences

Role play

Role  A – Beef
You think beef is the best source of protein. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their food. Also, tell the others which is the least nice of these (and why): beans, nuts or eggs.

Role  B – Beans
You think beans are the best source of protein. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their food. Also, tell the others which is the least nice of these (and why): beef, nuts or eggs.

Role  C – Nuts
You think nuts are the best source of protein. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their food. Also, tell the others which is the least nice of these (and why): beans, beef or eggs.

Role  D – Eggs
You think eggs are the best source of protein. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their food. Also, tell the others which is the least nice of these (and why): beans, nuts or beef.

After reading / listening

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

'protein'

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

    • and 'ageing'.

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

    • • 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:

    • things
    • opposite
    • usually
    • high
    • four
    • even
    • build
    • beans
    • full
    • bars
    • reducing
    • actually

    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 - Protein

    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 'protein'?
    3. What do you know about protein?
    4. How much protein do you eat?
    5. What food do you eat that is bad for you?
    6. What dairy products do you like and dislike?
    7. What problems does too much body fat cause?
    8. Do you worry about diseases?
    9. What do you do to live a long and healthy life?
    10. How old do you want to live to be?

    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 'ageing'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you do for your muscles?
    5. Which is better, fish or meat?
    6. What do you think of beans, lentils, nuts, and tofu?
    7. What are the bad things about a sedentary lifestyle?
    8. Why is it important to exercise?
    9. What do you need to change about your lifestyle?
    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)

    There are many things that can (1) ____ our lives. In particular, many kinds of food are bad for us. A new study suggests eating protein could make us (2) ____ faster. This is the opposite to what we have been told for decades. Scientists usually tell us (3) ____ eating meat and dairy products helps us to live longer. The new study is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. Researchers found that a high-protein diet without exercise leads (4) ____ an increase in body fat in only four months. Professor Dudley Lamming said: "People who are (5) ____ more protein tend to have higher rates of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and (6) ____ potentially a shorter lifespan."

    Protein is an essential part (7) ____ our diet. It is made up of amino acids. These help us build muscle and keep our bodies strong. We can find protein in many foods, including in meat, fish, (8) ____ products, and eggs. If people eat a vegetarian diet, they can (9) ____ protein in beans, lentils, nuts, and tofu. In many parts of the world, people are eating too (10) ____ protein. Supermarkets are full of protein-packed food, protein powder, and energy bars. Consuming these could be reducing our longevity. Professor Lamming said: "Because most people are (11) ____ sedentary, they are likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which (12) ____ has negative health consequences."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     shorts     (b)     short     (c)     shorter     (d)     shorten    
    2. (a)     birth     (b)     old     (c)     years     (d)     age    
    3. (a)     for     (b)     that     (c)     what     (d)     so    
    4. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     to     (d)     for    
    5. (a)     eaten     (b)     eats     (c)     eating     (d)     ate    
    6. (a)     even     (b)     ever     (c)     evens     (d)     event    
    7. (a)     at     (b)     of     (c)     by     (d)     to    
    8. (a)     dairy     (b)     diary     (c)     daily     (d)     dial    
    9. (a)     look     (b)     find     (c)     search     (d)     guess    
    10. (a)     most     (b)     many     (c)     much     (d)     more    
    11. (a)     relative     (b)     relatives     (c)     relatively     (d)     relativity    
    12. (a)     probe     (b)     probability     (c)     probable     (d)     probably

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. in rlaurcipat
    2. this is the potipseo
    3. what we have been told for sceddea
    4. higher rates of developing crcean
    5. cardiovascular eieassd
    6. a shorter lnaipfes

    Paragraph 2

    1. an lnsseieat part of our diet
    2. these help us build lmscue
    3. meat, fish, raiyd products, and eggs
    4. eat a reeatvgain diet
    5. reducing our einoltgvy
    6. eiegtanv health consequences

    Put the text back together

    (    )   and eggs. If people eat a vegetarian diet, they can find protein in beans, lentils, nuts, and
    (    )   bodies strong. We can find protein in many foods, including in meat, fish, dairy products,
    (    )   consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has negative health consequences."
    (    )   diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even potentially a shorter lifespan."
    (    )   diet without exercise leads to an increase in body fat in only four months. Professor Dudley Lamming said: "People who are
    (    )   eating more protein tend to have higher rates of developing cancer,
    (    )   for us. A new study suggests eating protein could make us age faster. This is the opposite to what we have been
    (    )   longer. The new study is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. Researchers found that a high-protein
    (    )   longevity. Professor Lamming said: "Because most people are relatively sedentary, they are likely
    (    )   of protein-packed food, protein powder, and energy bars. Consuming these could be reducing our
    (    )   Protein is an essential part of our diet. It is made up of amino acids. These help us build muscle and keep our
    (  1  )   There are many things that can shorten our lives. In particular, many kinds of food are bad
    (    )   tofu. In many parts of the world, people are eating too much protein. Supermarkets are full
    (    )   told for decades. Scientists usually tell us that eating meat and dairy products helps us to live

    Put the words in the right order

    1. are   lives   many   our   shorten   that   There   things   .
    2. are   bad   food   for   kinds   Many   of   us   .
    3. age   could   Eating   faster   make   protein   us   .
    4. been   have   opposite   The   to   told   we   what   .
    5. An   body   fat   four   in   increase   in   months   .
    6. an   diet   essential   is   of   our   part   Protein   .
    7. and   bodies   build   keep   muscle   our   strong   They   .
    8. are   food   full   of   protein-packed   shelves   Supermarket   .
    9. be   Consuming   could   longevity   our   reducing   these   .
    10. are   consuming   more   need   protein   than   They   they   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    There are many things that can shorter / shorten our lives. In particular, many kinds of food are bad for them / us. A new study suggests eating protein could make us age faster. This is the opposite at / to what we have been told / telling for decades. Scientists usually tell us that eating meat and dairy products helps us to alive / live longer. The new study is from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the USA. Researchers found that a high-protein dietary / diet without exercise leads to an increase in / on body fat in only four months. Professor Dudley Lamming said: "People who are eaten / eating more protein tend to have higher rates to / of developing cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and even potential / potentially a shorter lifespan."

    Protein is an essential part at / of our diet. It is made up of amino acids. These help us build muscle / muscular and keep our bodies strong. We can find protein on / in many foods, including in meat, fish, diary / dairy products, and eggs. If people eat a vegetarian diet, they can find / fund protein in beans, lentils, nuts, and tofu. In many parts of the world, people are eating too many / much protein. Supermarkets are full of protein-packed food, protein power / powder, and energy bars. Consuming these could be reducing our longevity / long. Professor Lamming said: "Because most people are relatively sedentary, they are liked / likely consuming more protein than they actually need, which probably has / have negative health consequences."

    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_r_  _r_  m_ny  th_ngs  th_t  c_n  sh_rt_n  __r  l_v_s.  _n  p_rt_c_l_r,  m_ny  k_nds  _f  f__d  _r_  b_d  f_r  _s.  _  n_w  st_dy  s_gg_sts  __t_ng  pr_t__n  c__ld  m_k_  _s  _g_  f_st_r.  Th_s  _s  th_  _pp_s_t_  t_  wh_t  w_  h_v_  b__n  t_ld  f_r  d_c_d_s.  Sc__nt_sts  _s__lly  t_ll  _s  th_t  __t_ng  m__t  _nd  d__ry  pr_d_cts  h_lps  _s  t_  l_v_  l_ng_r.  Th_  n_w  st_dy  _s  fr_m  th_  _n_v_rs_ty  _f  W_sc_ns_n-M_d_s_n  _n  th_  _S_.  R_s__rch_rs  f__nd  th_t  _  h_gh-pr_t__n  d__t  w_th__t  _x_rc_s_  l__ds  t_  _n  _ncr__s_  _n  b_dy  f_t  _n  _nly  f__r  m_nths.  Pr_f_ss_r  D_dl_y  L_mm_ng  s__d:  "P__pl_  wh_  _r_  __t_ng  m_r_  pr_t__n  t_nd  t_  h_v_  h_gh_r  r_t_s  _f  d_v_l_p_ng  c_nc_r,  d__b_t_s,  c_rd__v_sc_l_r  d_s__s_,  _nd  _v_n  p_t_nt__lly  _  sh_rt_r  l_f_sp_n."

    Pr_t__n  _s  _n  _ss_nt__l  p_rt  _f  __r  d__t.  _t  _s  m_d_  _p  _f  _m_n_  _c_ds.  Th_s_  h_lp  _s  b__ld  m_scl_  _nd  k__p  __r  b_d__s  str_ng.  W_  c_n  f_nd  pr_t__n  _n  m_ny  f__ds,  _ncl_d_ng  _n  m__t,  f_sh,  d__ry  pr_d_cts,  _nd  _ggs.  _f  p__pl_  __t  _  v_g_t_r__n  d__t,  th_y  c_n  f_nd  pr_t__n  _n  b__ns,  l_nt_ls,  n_ts,  _nd  t_f_.  _n  m_ny  p_rts  _f  th_  w_rld,  p__pl_  _r_  __t_ng  t__  m_ch  pr_t__n.  S_p_rm_rk_ts  _r_  f_ll  _f  pr_t__n-p_ck_d  f__d,  pr_t__n  p_wd_r,  _nd  _n_rgy  b_rs.  C_ns_m_ng  th_s_  c__ld  b_  r_d_c_ng  __r  l_ng_v_ty.  Pr_f_ss_r  L_mm_ng  s__d:  "B_c__s_  m_st  p__pl_  _r_  r_l_t_v_ly  s_d_nt_ry,  th_y  _r_  l_k_ly  c_ns_m_ng  m_r_  pr_t__n  th_n  th_y  _ct__lly  n__d,  wh_ch  pr_b_bly  h_s  n_g_t_v_  h__lth  c_ns_q__nc_s."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    there are many things that can shorten our lives in particular many kinds of food are bad for us a new study suggests eating protein could make us age faster this is the opposite to what we have been told for decades scientists usually tell us that eating meat and dairy products helps us to live longer the new study is from the university of wisconsinmadison in the usa researchers found that a highprotein diet without exercise leads to an increase in body fat in only four months professor dudley lamming said people who are eating more protein tend to have higher rates of developing cancer diabetes cardiovascular disease and even potentially a shorter lifespan

    protein is an essential part of our diet it is made up of amino acids these help us build muscle and keep our bodies strong we can find protein in many foods including in meat fish dairy products and eggs if people eat a vegetarian diet they can find protein in beans lentils nuts and tofu in many parts of the world people are eating too much protein supermarkets are full of proteinpacked food protein powder and energy bars consuming these could be reducing our longevity professor lamming said because most people are relatively sedentary they are likely consuming more protein than they actually need which probably has negative health consequences

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Therearemanythingsthatcanshortenourlives.Inparticular,manykind
    soffoodarebadforus.Anewstudysuggestseatingproteincouldmakeus
    agefaster.Thisistheoppositetowhatwehavebeentoldfordecades.Scie
    ntistsusuallytellusthateatingmeatanddairyproductshelpsustolivelo
    nger.ThenewstudyisfromtheUniversityofWisconsin-MadisonintheU
    SA.Researchersfoundthatahigh-proteindietwithoutexerciseleadst
    oanincreaseinbodyfatinonlyfourmonths.ProfessorDudleyLammings
    aid:"Peoplewhoareeatingmoreproteintendtohavehigherratesofdeve
    lopingcancer,diabetes,cardiovasculardisease,andevenpotentiallyas
    horterlifespan."Proteinisanessentialpartofourdiet.Itismadeupofami
    noacids.Thesehelpusbuildmuscleandkeepourbodiesstrong.Wecanfi
    ndproteininmanyfoods,includinginmeat,fish,dairyproducts,andegg
    s.Ifpeopleeatavegetariandiet,theycanfindproteininbeans,lentils,nut
    s,andtofu.Inmanypartsoftheworld,peopleareeatingtoomuchprotein
    .Supermarketsarefullofprotein-packedfood,proteinpowder,anden
    ergybars.Consumingthesecouldbereducingourlongevity.ProfessorL
    ammingsaid:"Becausemostpeoplearerelativelysedentary,theyareli
    kelyconsumingmoreproteinthantheyactuallyneed,whichprobablyha
    snegativehealthconsequences."

    Free writing

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

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

    _____________________________________________________________________________

     

    Academic writing

    A vegetarian diet is best.  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. PROTEIN: Make a poster about protein. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. VEGETARIAN: Write a magazine article about all of us becoming a vegetarian. 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 protein. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to have a balanced diet. 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.)

    Back to the top

    Help Support This Web Site

    • Please consider helping Breaking News English.com

    Sean Banville's Book

    Thank You