The Reading / Listening - Toxic Flowers - Level 6

The world of plants is full of natural medicinal wonders, but some species of flora can be deadly. Killers have used these for centuries to poison people. However, botanists at Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences have discovered that two particularly poisonous plants could have properties that may be used to make new medicines. The scientists conducted research on two flowers: wolfsbane and larkspur. Ingestion of small amounts of wolfsbane could cause death from respiratory paralysis or heart failure. The toxic larkspur can cause skeletal muscle weakness. Researchers say "biohacking" of the plants' chemical makeup could create valuable therapeutics.

The researchers recreated the toxic compounds from the two plants. Study co-author Dr Garret Miller said: "We know they interact with our bodies in so many ways, and understanding how to create them can help provide totally new routes for testing." They could be used as a painkiller, to treat malaria and cancer, and to kill pests. Researcher and biochemistry professor Bjorn Hamberger said: "Plants are the best chemists around, upgrading their arsenal of natural compounds over millions of years to help them survive." Another researcher, Lana Mutabdzija, said: "Many of the medicines we use today either come directly from plants or are inspired by plant chemistry."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Toxic Flowers - Level 4  or  Toxic Flowers - Level 5

Sources
  • https://phys.org/news/2026-07-deadly-blooms-genetic-blueprint-hard.html
  • https://www.earth.com/news/deadly-plants-could-inspire-a-new-generation-of-natural-medicines/
  • https://bioengineer.org/two-deadly-flowers-show-major-medical-potential/


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. TOXIC FLOWERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about toxic flowers. 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?
       plants / medicinal wonders / poison / botanists / medicines / paralysis / biohacking /
       researchers / painkiller / malaria / cancer / pests / professor / survive / chemistry
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. NATURAL MEDICINES: Students A strongly believe we should only use natural medicines; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. PLANTS: How useful are plants for the things in the table, today and in the future? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Today

The Future

Medicine

 

 

Wood and paper

 

 

Clothing

 

 

Fuel

 

 

Shelter

 

 

Environmental protection

 

 
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. POISON: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "poison". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. PLANTS AND FLOWERS: Rank these with your partner. Put the most useful at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Cacti
  • Cotton
  • Lotus
  • Sunflowers
  • Bamboo
  • Wheat
  • Aloe vera
  • Garlic

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. medicinal a. Things that make people feel surprise and admiration.
      2. wonders b. The qualities or parts of something.
      3. botanists c. Used to help people get better when they are sick.
      4. properties d. The loss of the ability to move part or all of the body.
      5. ingestion e. The act of eating or drinking something.
      6. paralysis f. Medicines or treatments that help people get better.
      7. therapeutics g. Scientists who study plants.

    Paragraph 2

      8. toxic h. Given a good idea or a strong wish to do something.
      9. compounds i. To help someone get better from an illness or injury.
      10. painkiller j. Small animals or insects that cause problems or damage.
      11. treat k. Poisonous and able to make people or animals sick.
      12. pests l. Substances made by joining two or more different things together.
      13. arsenal m. A large collection of things (especially weapons) that can be used for a purpose.
      14. inspired n. A medicine that helps stop or reduce pain.

 

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 plants are used for medicinal purposes.     T / F
  2. Killers have poisoned people with plants for hundreds or years.     T / F
  3. Botanists looked at the plants wolfspur and larksbane.     T / F
  4. Researchers say plant biohacking could create precious medicines.     T / F
  5. Researchers recreated toxic compounds from two plants.     T / F
  6. The two plants could lead to painkilling medicine.     T / F
  7. A researcher said chemists should grow plants.     T / F
  8. A researcher said today's medicines are inspired by plants.     T / F

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

  1. wonders
  2. deadly
  3. properties
  4. conducted
  5. weakness
  6. toxic
  7. routes
  8. treat
  9. arsenal
  10. directly
  1. heal
  2. carried out
  3. ways
  4. qualities
  5. straight
  6. marvels
  7. frailty
  8. line-up
  9. lethal
  10. poisonous

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

  1. The world of plants is full of natural
  2. some species of flowers can
  3. Killers have used these for centuries
  4. cause death from respiratory
  5. biohacking of the plants'
  6. researchers recreated the toxic
  7. They could be used as a
  8. treat malaria
  9. over millions
  10. inspired by plant
  1. chemical makeup
  2. painkiller
  3. be deadly
  4. and cancer
  5. paralysis
  6. of years
  7. medicinal wonders
  8. compounds
  9. chemistry
  10. to poison people

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
poison
particularly
failure
medicinal
valuable
amounts
muscle
conducted

The world of plants is full of natural (1) _________________________________ wonders, but some species of flowers can be deadly. Killers have used these for centuries to (2) _________________________________ people. However, botanists at Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences have discovered that two (3) _________________________________ poisonous plants could have properties that may be used to make new medicines. The scientists (4) _________________________________ research on two flowers: wolfsbane and larkspur. Ingestion of small (5) _________________________________ of wolfsbane could cause death from respiratory paralysis or heart (6) _________________________________. The toxic larkspur can cause skeletal (7) _________________________________ weakness. Researchers say "biohacking" of the plants' chemical makeup could create (8) _________________________________ therapeutics.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
totally
pests
survive
compounds
inspired
painkiller
interact
arsenal

The researchers recreated the toxic (9) _________________________________ from the two plants. Study co-author Dr Garret Miller said: "We know they (10) _________________________________ with our bodies in so many ways, and understanding how to create them can help provide (11) _________________________________ new routes for testing." They could be used as a (12) _________________________________, to treat malaria and cancer, and to kill (13) _________________________________. Researcher and biochemistry professor Bjorn Hamberger said: "Plants are the best chemists around, upgrading their (14) _________________________________ of natural compounds over millions of years to help them (15) _________________________________." Another researcher, Lana Mutabdzija, said: "Many of the medicines we use today either come directly from plants or are (16) _________________________________ by plant chemistry."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  The world of plants is full of ______
     a.  natural medically wonders
     b.  natural medicines wonders
     c.  natural medicinal wonders
     d.  natural medic and all wonders
2)  Killers have used these for centuries ______
     a.  to poison people
     b.  to poisons people
     c.  to poisoned people
     d.  to poisonous people
3)  small amounts of wolfsbane could cause death from respiratory paralysis ______
     a.  or heart fails
     b.  or heart failure
     c.  or heart failed
     d.  or heart fail your
4)  The toxic larkspur can cause ______
     a.  skeletal muscles weakness
     b.  skeletal muscle weak mess
     c.  skeletal muscles weak mess
     d.  skeletal muscle weakness
5)  biohacking of the plants' chemical makeup could ______
     a.  create valuable therapeutics
     b.  create value able therapeutics
     c.  create valuable therapy ticks
     d.  creative valuable therapeutics

6)  We know they interact with our bodies in ______
     a.  so many ways
     b.  so many weighs
     c.  so many whys
     d.  so many wise
7)  understanding how to create them can help provide totally new ______
     a.  routes four testing
     b.  routes for testing
     c.  routes for test in
     d.  route for testing
8)  They could be used as a painkiller, to treat malaria and cancer, and ______
     a.  to kill posts
     b.  to kill pasts
     c.  to kill pests
     d.  to kill psst
9)  Plants are the best chemists around, upgrading their arsenal ______
     a.  off natural compounds
     b.  of naturally compounds
     c.  of natural compound
     d.  of natural compounds
10)  Many of the medicines we use today either come directly from plants ______
     a.  or your inspired
     b.  or are in spired
     c.  or are inspiral
     d.  or are inspired

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

The world of plants is (1) _______________________________________________ medicinal wonders, but some species of flowers can be deadly. Killers have used these for (2) _______________________________________________ people. However, botanists at Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences have discovered that two particularly poisonous plants could (3) _______________________________________________ may be used to make new medicines. The scientists (4) _______________________________________________ two flowers: wolfsbane and larkspur. Ingestion of small amounts of wolfsbane could cause death from respiratory (5) _______________________________________________ failure. The toxic larkspur can cause skeletal muscle weakness. Researchers say "biohacking" of the plants' chemical makeup (6) _______________________________________________ therapeutics.

The researchers recreated (7) _______________________________________________ from the two plants. Study co-author Dr Garret Miller said: "We know they interact with our bodies in (8) _______________________________________________, and understanding how to create them can help provide totally new routes for testing." They could be used (9) _______________________________________________, to treat malaria and cancer, and to kill pests. Researcher and biochemistry professor Bjorn Hamberger said: "Plants are the (10) _______________________________________________, upgrading their arsenal (11) _______________________________________________ over millions of years to help them survive." Another researcher, Lana Mutabdzija, said: "Many of the medicines we use today either come directly from plants or are (12) _______________________________________________ chemistry."

Comprehension questions

  1. What does the article say the world of plants is full of?
  2. For how long have plants been used to poison people?
  3. What kind of scientists conducted the research in the article?
  4. What could the plant wolfsbane do to the respiratory system?
  5. What could the plant larkspur do to skeletal muscles?
  6. What did the researchers recreate from the two plants?
  7. What could new medicines be used to kill (besides pests)?
  8. What could new medicines treat (besides malaria)?
  9. What do plants keep upgrading?
  10. What are many of today's medicines inspired by?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What does the article say the world of plants is full of?
a) beautiful colours
b) medicinal wonders
c) hidden dangers
d) deadly poisons
2)  For how long have plants been used to poison people?
a) a long time
b) about 237 years
c) centuries
d) thousands of years
3)  What kind of scientists conducted the research in the article?
a) geologists
b) archaeologists
c) zoologists
d) botanists
4)  What could the plant wolfsbane do to the respiratory system?
a) destroy it
b) paralyse it
c) fill it with water
d) poison it
5)  What could the plant larkspur do to skeletal muscles?
a) weaken them
b) destroy them
c) make them twitch
d) paralyse them

6)  What did the researchers recreate from the two plants?
a) toxic compounds
b) vaccines
c) smells
d) hybrids
7)  What could new medicines be used to kill (besides pests)?
a) viruses
b) bacteria
c) all diseases
d) pain
8)  What could new medicines treat (besides malaria)?
a) insomnia
b) diabetes
c) cancer
d) migraines
9)  What do plants keep upgrading?
a) the potency (power) of their poisons
b) the soil
c) their ability to attract insects
d) their arsenal of natural compounds
10)  What are many of today's medicines inspired by?
a) literature
b) plant chemistry
c) ancient remedies
d) ancient doctors

Role play

Role  A – Cotton
You think cotton is the most important plant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their plants. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): bamboo, wheat or garlic.

Role  B – Bamboo
You think bamboo is the most important plant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their plants. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): cotton, wheat or garlic.

Role  C – Wheat
You think wheat is the most important plant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their plants. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): bamboo, cotton or garlic.

Role  D – Garlic
You think garlic is the most important plant. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their plants. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): bamboo, wheat or cotton.

After reading / listening

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

'flower'

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

    • and 'medicine'.

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

    • • 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:

    • world
    • botanists
    • properties
    • conducted
    • failure
    • chemical
    • recreated
    • bodies
    • routes
    • pests
    • millions
    • today

    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 - Toxic Flowers

    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 'flower'?
    3. What do you think of plants as medicine?
    4. Are natural or synthetic medicines best?
    5. What deadly plants do you know of?
    6. What dangerous plants do you know of?
    7. What are your favourite flowers and plants?
    8. What do you think of 'biohacking' plants?
    9. Has a plant or flower ever caused you harm?
    10. What do you think of botany?

    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 'medicine'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Should we all learn about what plants are dangerous?
    5. What are your least favourite flowers and plants?
    6. Do you ever take painkillers?
    7. What do you do about pests in your house?
    8. What new medicines would you like to see?
    9. Do you take a lot of medicine?
    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)

    The world of plants is (1) ____ of natural medicinal wonders, but some species of flowers can be deadly. Killers have used these for centuries (2) ____ poison people. However, botanists at Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences have discovered that two (3) ____ poisonous plants could have properties that may be used to make new medicines. The scientists conducted research on two flowers: wolfsbane and larkspur. Ingestion of small amounts of wolfsbane could (4) ____ death from respiratory paralysis or heart (5) ____. The toxic larkspur can cause skeletal muscle weakness. Researchers say "biohacking" (6) ____ the plants' chemical makeup could create valuable therapeutics.

    The researchers (7) ____ the toxic compounds from the two plants. Study co-author Dr Garret Miller said: "We know they interact with our bodies in so (8) ____ ways, and understanding how to create them can help provide totally new routes for testing." They could be used as a (9) ____, to treat malaria and cancer, and to kill pests. Researcher and biochemistry professor Bjorn Hamberger said: "Plants are the best (10) ____ around, upgrading their arsenal of natural compounds (11) ____ millions of years to help them survive." Another researcher, Lana Mutabdzija, said: "Many of the medicines we use today (12) ____ come directly from plants or are inspired by plant chemistry."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     fully     (b)     full     (c)     fullest     (d)     filling    
    2. (a)     for     (b)     to     (c)     by     (d)     so    
    3. (a)     particularize     (b)     particularly     (c)     particulars     (d)     particular    
    4. (a)     lead     (b)     cause     (c)     make     (d)     result    
    5. (a)     failed     (b)     fails     (c)     fail     (d)     failure    
    6. (a)     so     (b)     onto     (c)     of     (d)     up    
    7. (a)     recreated     (b)     redacted     (c)     reacted     (d)     receded    
    8. (a)     much     (b)     most     (c)     many     (d)     more    
    9. (a)     painful killer     (b)     pains killer     (c)     pained killer     (d)     painkiller    
    10. (a)     chemists     (b)     chemicals     (c)     chemistry     (d)     chemist    
    11. (a)     over     (b)     above     (c)     upper     (d)     higher    
    12. (a)     either     (b)     every     (c)     neither     (d)     whole

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. full of natural iidcaenlm wonders
    2. two particularly osoounpsi plants
    3. cause death from respiratory lsaiyarps
    4. cause leselkat muscle weakness
    5. onhkigbiac of the plants
    6. create valuable tsieuapercth

    Paragraph 2

    1. toxic dnocspumo
    2. used as a irileaknpl
    3. treat laramia and cancer
    4. upgrading their lsenara
    5. help them eirvvsu
    6. irpsnedi by plant chemistry

    Put the text back together

    (    )   are the best chemists around, upgrading their arsenal of natural compounds over millions
    (    )   deadly. Killers have used these for centuries to poison people. However, botanists at
    (    )   death from respiratory paralysis or heart failure. The toxic larkspur can cause skeletal muscle
    (    )   Dr Garret Miller said: "We know they interact with our bodies in so many ways, and understanding how
    (    )   malaria and cancer, and to kill pests. Researcher and biochemistry professor Bjorn Hamberger said: "Plants
    (    )   Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences have discovered that two particularly
    (    )   of years to help them survive." Another researcher, Lana Mutabdzija, said: "Many of the medicines we
    (    )   poisonous plants could have properties that may be used to make new medicines. The scientists conducted
    (    )   research on two flowers: wolfsbane and larkspur. Ingestion of small amounts of wolfsbane could cause
    (    )   The researchers recreated the toxic compounds from the two plants. Study co-author
    (  1  ) The world of plants is full of natural medicinal wonders, but some species of flowers can be
    (    )   to create them can help provide totally new routes for testing." They could be used as a painkiller, to treat
    (    )   use today either come directly from plants or are inspired by plant chemistry."
    (    )   weakness. Researchers say "biohacking" of the plants' chemical makeup could create valuable therapeutics.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. The   full   medicinal   natural   of   world   wonders   is   .
    2. centuries   for   Killers   people   poison   these   to   used   .
    3. are   make   medicines   new   Properties   that   to   used   .
    4. conducted   flowers   on   research   scientists   The   two   .
    5. can   cause   plant   muscle   skeletal   The   toxic   weakness   .
    6. compounds   from   plants   recreated   Researchers   the   the   .
    7. bodies   in   interact   many   our   They   ways   with   .
    8. a   as   be   could   painkiller   They   used   .
    9. arsenal   compounds   natural   of   over   their   Upgrading   years   .
    10. Many   medicines   of   the   today   use   we   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    The world of plants is full of natural medicinal wonders, but some species of flowers can be deathly / deadly. Killers have used these for centurions / centuries to poison people. However, botanists / botany at Michigan State University and the Czech Academy of Sciences have discovered that two particularly poisonous plants could have residences / properties that may be used to make new potions / medicines. The scientists conducted research in / on two flowers: wolfsbane and larkspur. Ingestion of small amount / amounts of wolfsbane could cause dead / death from respiratory paralysis or heart failure. The toxic larkspur can cause skeletal muscle weak / weakness. Researchers say "biohacking" off / of the plants' chemical makeup could create valuable therapeutics.

    The researchers recreated a / the toxic compounds from the two plants. Study co-author Dr Garret Miller said: "We know they interact up / with our bodies in so many / much ways, and understanding how to create them can help provide totally / total new routes for testing." They could be used as a painkiller, to threat / treat malaria and cancer, and to kill pests. Researcher and biochemistry professor Bjorn Hamberger said: "Plants are the best chemists abound / around, upgrading their arsenal at / of natural compounds over / under millions of years to help them survive." Another researcher, Lana Mutabdzija, said: "Many of the medicines we use today neither / either come directly from plants or are inspired by / of plant chemistry."

    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_  w_rld  _f  pl_nts  _s  f_ll  _f  n_t_r_l  m_d_c_n_l  w_nd_rs,  b_t  s_m_  sp_c__s  _f  fl_w_rs  c_n  b_  d__dly.  K_ll_rs  h_v_  _s_d  th_s_  f_r  c_nt_r__s  t_  p__s_n  p__pl_.  H_w_v_r,  b_t_n_sts  _t  M_ch_g_n  St_t_  _n_v_rs_ty  _nd  th_  Cz_ch  _c_d_my  _f  Sc__nc_s  h_v_  d_sc_v_r_d  th_t  tw_  p_rt_c_l_rly  p__s_n__s  pl_nts  c__ld  h_v_  pr_p_rt__s  th_t  m_y  b_  _s_d  t_  m_k_  n_w  m_d_c_n_s.  Th_  sc__nt_sts  c_nd_ct_d  r_s__rch  _n  tw_  fl_w_rs:  w_lfsb_n_  _nd  l_rksp_r.  _ng_st__n  _f  sm_ll  _m__nts  _f  w_lfsb_n_  c__ld  c__s_  d__th  fr_m  r_sp_r_t_ry  p_r_lys_s  _r  h__rt  f__l_r_.  Th_  t_x_c  l_rksp_r  c_n  c__s_  sk_l_t_l  m_scl_  w__kn_ss.  R_s__rch_rs  s_y  "b__h_ck_ng"  _f  th_  pl_nts'  ch_m_c_l  m_k__p  c__ld  cr__t_  v_l__bl_  th_r_p__t_cs. 

    Th_  r_s__rch_rs  r_cr__t_d  th_  t_x_c  c_mp__nds  fr_m  th_  tw_  pl_nts.  St_dy  c_-__th_r  Dr  G_rr_t  M_ll_r  s__d:  "W_  kn_w  th_y  _nt_r_ct  w_th  __r  b_d__s  _n  s_  m_ny  w_ys,  _nd  _nd_rst_nd_ng  h_w  t_  cr__t_  th_m  c_n  h_lp  pr_v_d_  t_t_lly  n_w  r__t_s  f_r  t_st_ng."  Th_y  c__ld  b_  _s_d  _s  _  p__nk_ll_r,  t_  tr__t  m_l_r__  _nd  c_nc_r,  _nd  t_  k_ll  p_sts.  R_s__rch_r  _nd  b__ch_m_stry  pr_f_ss_r  Bj_rn  H_mb_rg_r  s__d:  "Pl_nts  _r_  th_  b_st  ch_m_sts  _r__nd,  _pgr_d_ng  th__r  _rs_n_l  _f  n_t_r_l  c_mp__nds  _v_r  m_ll__ns  _f  y__rs  t_  h_lp  th_m  s_rv_v_."  _n_th_r  r_s__rch_r,  L_n_  M_t_bdz_j_,  s__d:  "M_ny  _f  th_  m_d_c_n_s  w_  _s_  t_d_y  __th_r  c_m_  d_r_ctly  fr_m  pl_nts  _r  _r_  _nsp_r_d  by  pl_nt  ch_m_stry."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    the world of plants is full of natural medicinal wonders but some species of flowers can be deadly killers have used these for centuries to poison people however botanists at michigan state university and the czech academy of sciences have discovered that two particularly poisonous plants could have properties that may be used to make new medicines the scientists conducted research on two flowers wolfsbane and larkspur ingestion of small amounts of wolfsbane could cause death from respiratory paralysis or heart failure the toxic larkspur can cause skeletal muscle weakness researchers say biohacking of the plants chemical makeup could create valuable therapeutics

    the researchers recreated the toxic compounds from the two plants study coauthor dr garret miller said we know they interact with our bodies in so many ways and understanding how to create them can help provide totally new routes for testing they could be used as a painkiller to treat malaria and cancer and to kill pests researcher and biochemistry professor bjorn hamberger said plants are the best chemists around upgrading their arsenal of natural compounds over millions of years to help them survive another researcher lana mutabdzija said many of the medicines we use today either come directly from plants or are inspired by plant chemistry

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Theworldofplantsisfullofnaturalmedicinalwonders,butsomespecieso
    fflowerscanbedeadly.Killershaveusedtheseforcenturiestopoisonpeo
    ple.However,botanistsatMichiganStateUniversityandtheCzechAcad
    emyofScienceshavediscoveredthattwoparticularlypoisonousplantsc
    ouldhavepropertiesthatmaybeusedtomakenewmedicines.Thescient
    istsconductedresearchontwoflowers:wolfsbaneandlarkspur.Ingesti
    onofsmallamountsofwolfsbanecouldcausedeathfromrespiratorypar
    alysisorheartfailure.Thetoxiclarkspurcancauseskeletalmuscleweak
    ness.Researcherssay"biohacking"oftheplants'chemicalmakeupcoul
    dcreatevaluabletherapeutics.Theresearchersrecreatedthetoxiccom
    poundsfromthetwoplants.Studyco-authorDrGarretMillersaid:"Wek
    nowtheyinteractwithourbodiesinsomanyways,andunderstandingho
    wtocreatethemcanhelpprovidetotallynewroutesfortesting."Theycou
    ldbeusedasapainkiller,totreatmalariaandcancer,andtokillpests.Res
    earcherandbiochemistryprofessorBjornHambergersaid:"Plantsaret
    hebestchemistsaround,upgradingtheirarsenalofnaturalcompounds
    overmillionsofyearstohelpthemsurvive."Anotherresearcher,LanaM
    utabdzija,said:"Manyofthemedicinesweusetodayeithercomedirectl
    yfromplantsorareinspiredbyplantchemistry."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We should only use medicines from natural sources. 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. TOXIC FLOWERS: Make a poster about toxic flowers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. NATURAL MEDICINES: Write a magazine article about using only natural medicines. 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 toxic flowers. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on what we can do with them. 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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