The Reading / Listening - Exercising - Level 6

New research has found that married couples who exercise together communicate better. Researchers from Brigham Young University in the USA looked at the exercise habits and relationships of 1,693 young married couples. In particular, the research team focused on conflict resolution, the ability to listen to a partner, and the seriousness and frequency of marital issues. Study co-author Professor Jeremy Yorgason suggested that exercising together helped couples sort out problems "peacefully". He added that the effect was small but significant. He said couples reported better communication and fewer problems when they exercised together.

The researchers compared couples exercising separately with couples exercising together. Both individual and shared exercise were associated with healthier marriages. However, couples who exercised together were found to be more successful at resolving marital problems. Professor Yorgason said: "About 60 per cent of husbands and wives in the sample said they exercised, but only about a third exercised together. That means about half the people who exercise are not exercising with their spouse." He added that while the impact was not necessarily large, it was very consistent across couples. The difference gave him the confidence to say that it was affecting relationships "in some meaningful way".

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Exercising - Level 4  or  Exercising - Level 5

Sources
  • https://www.earth.com/lifestyle/exercising-together-may-help-couples-communicate-better/
  • https://phys.org/news/2026-08-happier-marriage-simple-habit.html
  • https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-say-this-simple-habit-could-lead-to-a-happier-marriage/


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. EXERCISING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about exercising. 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?
       research / married couples / communication / habits / listen / peacefully / problems /
       exercise / successful / husbands / wives / spouse / impact / confidence / meaningful
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. EXERCISING TOGETHER: Students A strongly believe exercising with another person is better than exercising alone; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. HAPPY TOGETHER: How important are the things in the table in helping couples stay happy? How often do you do these things? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Importance

You

Eat together

 

 

Say "thank you"

 

 

Regular dates

 

 

Talk about money

 

 

Apologize sincerely

 

 

Do housework together

 

 
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. MARRIED: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "married". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. EXERCISING TOGETHER: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things about exercising with your spouse/partner at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Fun
  • Time to talk
  • Achieve exercise goals
  • Quality time together
  • Emotional connection
  • Feeling good together
  • Harder to give up
  • Helping each other

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. habits a. Problems or things that need attention.
      2. relationships b. Important or noticeable.
      3. conflict resolution c. Something that you do often, sometimes without thinking.
      4. marital d. The way two or more people know, like, or communicate with each other.
      5. issues e. Related to marriage or married people.
      6. couples f. Two people who are married or have a romantic relationship.
      7. significant g. Finding a peaceful way to solve a disagreement or problem.

    Paragraph 2

      8. separately h. The effect or change that something has on a person or situation.
      9. individual i. A person who is married to another person.
      10. associated j. Finding an answer to a problem or dealing with it successfully.
      11. resolving k. Not together with another person or group.
      12. spouse l. Staying the same or happening in the same way over time.
      13. impact m. One person or thing, not a group.
      14. consistent n. Connected with something or related to it.

 

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 married couples who exercise together talk more.     T / F
  2. Researchers looked at 1,693 married couples of all ages.     T / F
  3. One thing researchers looked at was conflict resolution.     T / F
  4. A researcher said joint exercise could lead to "peaceful" problem solving. T / F
  5. Researchers only looked at people who exercised with their spouse.     T / F
  6. About half of the people in the study did not exercise with their spouse.   T / F
  7. A researcher said exercise with a spouse had a big impact on marriage.   T / F
  8. The researcher said he was confident his marriage would last.     T / F

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

  1. habits
  2. conflict
  3. frequency
  4. sort out
  5. significant
  6. separately
  7. associated
  8. marital
  9. spouse
  10. consistent
  1. regularity
  2. linked
  3. matrimonial
  4. dispute
  5. uniform
  6. resolve
  7. routines
  8. husband/wife
  9. notable
  10. apart

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

  1. the research team focused on conflict
  2. the seriousness and frequency of marital
  3. helped couples sort out problems
  4. the effect was small
  5. fewer problems when they
  6. Both individual and
  7. associated
  8. not exercising with their
  9. it was very consistent
  10. affecting relationships in some meaningful
  1. way
  2. resolution
  3. exercised together
  4. issues
  5. with healthier marriages
  6. but significant
  7. spouse
  8. shared exercise
  9. "peacefully"
  10. across couples

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
particular
frequency
research
fewer
conflict
significant
habits
sort

New (1) _________________________________ has found that married couples who exercise together communicate better. Researchers from Brigham Young University in the USA looked at the exercise (2) _________________________________ and relationships of 1,693 young married couples. In (3) _________________________________, the research team focused on (4) _________________________________ resolution, the ability to listen to a partner, and the seriousness and (5) _________________________________ of marital issues. Study co-author Professor Jeremy Yorgason suggested that exercising together helped couples (6) _________________________________ out problems "peacefully". He added that the effect was small but (7) _________________________________. He said couples reported better communication and (8) _________________________________ problems when they exercised together.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
associated
consistent
sample
separately
marital
meaningful
individual
spouse

The researchers compared couples exercising (9) _________________________________ with couples exercising together. Both (10) _________________________________ and shared exercise were (11) _________________________________ with healthier marriages. However, couples who exercised together were found to be more successful at resolving (12) _________________________________ problems. Professor Yorgason said: "About 60 per cent of husbands and wives in the (13) _________________________________ said they exercised, but only about a third exercised together. That means about half the people who exercise are not exercising with their (14) _________________________________." He added that while the impact was not necessarily large, it was very (15) _________________________________ across couples. The difference gave him the confidence to say that it was affecting relationships "in some (16) _________________________________ way".

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Researchers from Brigham Young University in the USA looked at ______
     a.  the exercise habitual
     b.  the exercised habits
     c.  the exercise habits
     d.  the exercises habits
2)  In particular, the research team focused ______
     a.  in conflict resolution
     b.  on conflict resolution
     c.  of conflict resolution
     d.  on conflict resolution
3)  Yorgason suggested that exercising together helped couples ______
     a.  sort out problems
     b.  sort tout problems
     c.  sore tout problems
     d.  sort taut problems
4)  He added that the effect was ______
     a.  small but significance
     b.  small but significantly
     c.  small but significant
     d.  small but signifying
5)  He said couples reported better communication ______
     a.  and fewer problem
     b.  end fewer problems
     c.  and fewer problems
     d.  end fewer problem

6)  researchers compared couples exercising separately with ______
     a.  couple exercise in together
     b.  couples exercised together
     c.  couples exercise din together
     d.  couples exercising together
7)  couples who exercised together were found to be more successful at ______
     a.  resolving martial problems
     b.  resolve in marital problems
     c.  resolving marital problem
     d.  resolving marital problems
8)  about half the people who exercise are not exercising ______
     a.  with their spousal
     b.  with their spouse
     c.  with there spouse
     d.  wither spouse
9)  the impact was not necessarily large, it was very ______
     a.  consistent cross couples
     b.  consistent across uncouples
     c.  consistent across couplets
     d.  consistent across couples
10)  the confidence to say that it was affecting relationships in ______
     a.  some meaning full way
     b.  some meaningful way
     c.  sum meaningful way
     d.  some meaning fully way

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

New research has found that married (1) _______________________________________________ together communicate better. Researchers from Brigham Young University in the USA looked at the (2) _______________________________________________ relationships of 1,693 young married couples. In particular, the research team (3) _______________________________________________ resolution, the ability to listen to a partner, and the seriousness and frequency (4) _______________________________________________. Study co-author Professor Jeremy Yorgason suggested that exercising together helped couples sort (5) _______________________________________________. He added that the effect was (6) _______________________________________________. He said couples reported better communication and fewer problems when they exercised together.

The researchers compared couples exercising separately with couples exercising together. Both (7) _______________________________________________ exercise were associated with healthier marriages. However, couples who exercised together were found to be more (8) _______________________________________________ marital problems. Professor Yorgason said: "About 60 per cent of husbands and wives in the sample said they exercised, but only about (9) _______________________________________________ together. That means about half the people who exercise are not exercising (10) _______________________________________________." He added that while the impact was not necessarily large, it was (11) _______________________________________________ couples. The difference gave him the confidence to say that it was affecting relationships "in (12) _______________________________________________".

Comprehension questions

  1. In which country was this research conducted?
  2. How many young couples did the researchers look at?
  3. What did researchers look at the frequency of?
  4. What did couples who exercised together sort out peacefully?
  5. What did the researcher say the effect of exercise was besides small?
  6. Who did researchers compare couples who exercised together to?
  7. What were couples who exercised together more successful at?
  8. What percentage of spouses in the study exercised?
  9. What percentage of people in the study exercised with their spouse?
  10. In what way does exercising with a spouse affect relationships?

Multiple choice quiz

1) In which country was this research conducted?
a) Indonesia
b) Brazil
c) the USA
d) Nigeria
2) How many young couples did the researchers look at?
a) 1,693
b) 1,963
c) 1,639
d) 1,396
3) What did researchers look at the frequency of?
a) arguments
b) marital issues
c) making up
d) date nights
4) What did couples who exercised together sort out peacefully?
a) disagreements about money
b) arguments
c) who did the housework
d) problems
5) What did the researcher say the effect of exercise was besides small?
a) insignificant
b) startling
c) significant
d) strange

6) Who did researchers compare couples who exercised together to?
a) unmarried couples who exercised separately
b) couples who exercised separately
c) single people who exercised alone
d) single people who exercised with a friend
7) What were couples who exercised together more successful at?
a) raising children
b) winning competitions
c) their careers
d) resolving marital problems
8) What percentage of spouses in the study exercised?
a) about 40 per cent
b) about 60 per cent
c) about 70 per cent
d) about 90 per cent
9) What percentage of people in the study exercised with their spouse?
a) about 20 per cent
b) about 30 per cent
c) about 40 per cent
d) about 70 per cent
10) In what way does exercising with a spouse affect relationships?
a) in some meaningful way
b) in a good way
c) in a curious way
d) in a bad way

Role play

Role  A – Fun
You think having fun is the best reason to exercise with your partner. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): having time to talk, spending quality time together or helping each other.

Role  B – Time to Talk
You think having time to talk is the best reason to exercise with your partner. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): having fun, spending quality time together or helping each other.

Role  C – Quality Time Together
You think spending quality time together is the best reason to exercise with your partner. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): having time to talk, having fun or helping each other.

Role  D – Helping Each Other
You think helping each other is the best reason to exercise with your partner. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least desirable of these (and why): having time to talk, spending quality time together or having fun.

After reading / listening

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

'exercise'

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

    • and 'communicate'.

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

    • • 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:

    • new
    • habits
    • particular
    • frequency
    • effect
    • fewer
    • separately
    • both
    • successful
    • half
    • large
    • way

    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 - Exercising

    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 'exercise'?
    3. What do you think of exercising?
    4. Do you prefer exercising alone or with other people?
    5. Why might exercising with a partner better conflict resolution?
    6. What benefits does exercising with people bring?
    7. What are the best ways to resolve conflicts?
    8. What kinds of exercise are best at resolving problems?
    9. How important is it to listen to other people?
    10. Are you a good listener?

    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 'communicate'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What exercise do you do?
    5. What exercise would you like to do?
    6. What are the secrets to a happy marriage?
    7. Should exercising together be a part of marriage vows?
    8. What can governments do to get more people to exercise?
    9. In what way could exercise be bad for relationships?
    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)

    New research has (1) ____ that married couples who exercise together communicate better. Researchers from Brigham Young University in the USA looked at the exercise (2) ____ and relationships of 1,693 young married couples. In (3) ____, the research team focused on conflict (4) ____, the ability to listen to a partner, and the seriousness and frequency of marital issues. Study co-author Professor Jeremy Yorgason suggested that exercising together helped couples (5) ____ out problems "peacefully". He added that the effect was small but significant. He said couples reported better communication and (6) ____ problems when they exercised together.

    The researchers compared couples exercising (7) ____ with couples exercising together. Both individual and shared exercise were associated (8) ____ healthier marriages. However, couples who exercised together were found to be more successful at resolving (9) ____ problems. Professor Yorgason said: "About 60 per cent of husbands and wives in the sample said they exercised, but only about a third exercised together. That means about (10) ____ the people who exercise are not exercising with their spouse." He added that while the (11) ____ was not necessarily large, it was very consistent across couples. The difference gave him the confidence to say that it was affecting relationships "in (12) ____ meaningful way".

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     founded     (b)     found     (c)     find     (d)     finding    
    2. (a)     habitats     (b)     habits     (c)     habitat     (d)     habitual    
    3. (a)     particularly     (b)     peculiar     (c)     particles     (d)     particular    
    4. (a)     revolution     (b)     resolution     (c)     regulation     (d)     revelation    
    5. (a)     short     (b)     sort     (c)     snort     (d)     sport    
    6. (a)     less     (b)     small     (c)     fewer     (d)     much    
    7. (a)     separate     (b)     separated     (c)     separately     (d)     separates    
    8. (a)     of     (b)     at     (c)     with     (d)     by    
    9. (a)     marry     (b)     Martian     (c)     martial     (d)     marital    
    10. (a)     half     (b)     halve     (c)     halving     (d)     halfway    
    11. (a)     impact     (b)     impacting     (c)     impacts     (d)     impacted    
    12. (a)     much     (b)     none     (c)     some     (d)     all

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. habits and aiterlnspshio
    2. In tacirruapl
    3. conflict lioesontru
    4. the seriousness and feynqceru
    5. tmarail issues
    6. the effect was small but ncniiigtasf

    Paragraph 2

    1. exercising ealearypts
    2. ndaiduiivl and shared exercise
    3. tcsaeioads with healthier marriages
    4. exercising with their essupo
    5. the impact was not cenylsiesra large
    6. gave him the feeincondc to say that

    Put the text back together

    (    )   60 per cent of husbands and wives in the sample said they exercised, but only about a
    (    )   and shared exercise were associated with healthier marriages. However, couples who exercised
    (    )   better. Researchers from Brigham Young University in the USA looked at the exercise habits and
    (    )   gave him the confidence to say that it was affecting relationships "in some meaningful way".
    (    )   issues. Study co-author Professor Jeremy Yorgason suggested that exercising together helped couples sort
    (  1  )   New research has found that married couples who exercise together communicate
    (    )   out problems "peacefully". He added that the effect was small but significant. He said couples
    (    )   relationships of 1,693 young married couples. In particular, the research team focused on conflict
    (    )   reported better communication and fewer problems when they exercised together.
    (    )   resolution, the ability to listen to a partner, and the seriousness and frequency of marital
    (    )   spouse." He added that while the impact was not necessarily large, it was very consistent across couples. The difference
    (    )   The researchers compared couples exercising separately with couples exercising together. Both individual
    (    )   third exercised together. That means about half the people who exercise are not exercising with their
    (    )   together were found to be more successful at resolving marital problems. Professor Yorgason said: "About

    Put the words in the right order

    1. 1,693   couples   exercise   habits   married   of   The   young   .
    2. conflict   focused   In   particular,   the   team   on   resolution   .
    3. ability   a   listen   of   partner   The   to   .
    4. couples  Exercising   helped   peacefully   problems   sort   together   out   .
    5. but   effect   He   said   significant   small   the   was   .
    6. Compared  couples  couples   exercising  exercising   separately   together   with  .
    7. Be   at   marital   more   problems   resolving   successful   .
    8. 60   About   in   per cent   sample   spouses   of   the   .
    9. confidence   difference   gave   him   say   that   The   to   .
    10. affecting   in   It   meaningful   relationships   some   way   was   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    New research has found that marriage / married couples who exercise together communicate better. Researchers from Brigham Young University in the USA looked at the exercise habitual / habits and relationships of 1,693 young married couple / couples. In particular / peculiar, the research team focused on / in conflict resolution, the ability to listen to a partner, and the seriousness and frequency of martial / marital issues. Study co-author Professor Jeremy Yorgason suggestion / suggested that exercising together helped couples sort in / out problems "peacefully". He added that the effect was small but significant / significance. He said couples reported better communication and fewer / less problems when they exercised together.

    The researchers comparison / compared couples exercising separately with couples exercising together. Both individual / individually and shared exercise were associated with / of healthier marriages. However, couples who exercised together were fond / found to be more successful at / of resolving marital problems. Professor Yorgason said: "About 60 per cent of husbands and wives in the simple / sample said they exercised, but only about a third exercised together. That means about halve / half the people who exercise are not exercising with their espouse / spouse." He added that while the impact was not necessarily / necessary large, it was very consistent across couples. The difference gave him the confidence to say that it was affecting relationships "in / on some meaningful way".

    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)

    N_w  r_s__rch  h_s  f__nd  th_t  m_rr__d  c__pl_s  wh_  _x_rc_s_  t_g_th_r  c_mm_n_c_t_  b_tt_r.  R_s__rch_rs  fr_m  Br_gh_m  Y__ng  _n_v_rs_ty  _n  th_  _S_  l__k_d  _t  th_  _x_rc_s_  h_b_ts  _nd  r_l_t__nsh_ps  _f  1,693  y__ng  m_rr__d  c__pl_s.  _n  p_rt_c_l_r,  th_  r_s__rch  t__m  f_c_s_d  _n  c_nfl_ct  r_s_l_t__n,  th_  _b_l_ty  t_  l_st_n  t_  _  p_rtn_r,  _nd  th_  s_r___sn_ss  _nd  fr_q__ncy  _f  m_r_t_l  _ss__s.  St_dy  c_-__th_r  Pr_f_ss_r  J_r_my  Y_rg_s_n  s_gg_st_d  th_t  _x_rc_s_ng  t_g_th_r  h_lp_d  c__pl_s  s_rt  __t  pr_bl_ms  "p__c_f_lly".  H_  _dd_d  th_t  th_  _ff_ct  w_s  sm_ll  b_t  s_gn_f_c_nt.  H_  s__d  c__pl_s  r_p_rt_d  b_tt_r  c_mm_n_c_t__n  _nd  f_w_r  pr_bl_ms  wh_n  th_y  _x_rc_s_d  t_g_th_r.

    Th_  r_s__rch_rs  c_mp_r_d  c__pl_s  _x_rc_s_ng  s_p_r_t_ly  w_th  c__pl_s  _x_rc_s_ng  t_g_th_r.  B_th  _nd_v_d__l  _nd  sh_r_d  _x_rc_s_  w_r_  _ss_c__t_d  w_th  h__lth__r  m_rr__g_s.  H_w_v_r,  c__pl_s  wh_  _x_rc_s_d  t_g_th_r  w_r_  f__nd  t_  b_  m_r_  s_cc_ssf_l  _t  r_s_lv_ng  m_r_t_l  pr_bl_ms.  Pr_f_ss_r  Y_rg_s_n  s__d:  "_b__t  60  p_r  c_nt  _f  h_sb_nds  _nd  w_v_s  _n  th_  s_mpl_  s__d  th_y  _x_rc_s_d,  b_t  _nly  _b__t  _  th_rd  _x_rc_s_d  t_g_th_r.  Th_t  m__ns  _b__t  h_lf  th_  p__pl_  wh_  _x_rc_s_  _r_  n_t  _x_rc_s_ng  w_th  th__r  sp__s_."  H_  _dd_d  th_t  wh_l_  th_  _mp_ct  w_s  n_t  n_c_ss_r_ly  l_rg_,  _t  w_s  v_ry  c_ns_st_nt  _cr_ss  c__pl_s.  Th_  d_ff_r_nc_  g_v_  h_m  th_  c_nf_d_nc_  t_  s_y  th_t  _t  w_s  _ff_ct_ng  r_l_t__nsh_ps  "_n  s_m_  m__n_ngf_l  w_y".

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    new research has found that married couples who exercise together communicate better researchers from brigham young university in the usa looked at the exercise habits and relationships of 1693 young married couples in particular the research team focused on conflict resolution the ability to listen to a partner and the seriousness and frequency of marital issues study coauthor professor jeremy yorgason suggested that exercising together helped couples sort out problems peacefully he added that the effect was small but significant he said couples reported better communication and fewer problems when they exercised together

    the researchers compared couples exercising separately with couples exercising together both individual and shared exercise were associated with healthier marriages however couples who exercised together were found to be more successful at resolving marital problems professor yorgason said about 60 per cent of husbands and wives in the sample said they exercised but only about a third exercised together that means about half the people who exercise are not exercising with their spouse he added that while the impact was not necessarily large it was very consistent across couples the difference gave him the confidence to say that it was affecting relationships in some meaningful way

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Newresearchhasfoundthatmarriedcoupleswhoexercisetogethercom
    municatebetter.ResearchersfromBrighamYoungUniversityintheUS
    Alookedattheexercisehabitsandrelationshipsof1,693youngmarriedc
    ouples.Inparticular,theresearchteamfocusedonconflictresolution,th
    eabilitytolistentoapartner,andtheseriousnessandfrequencyofmarita
    lissues.Studyco-authorProfessorJeremyYorgasonsuggestedthatex
    ercisingtogetherhelpedcouplessortoutproblems"peacefully".Headd
    edthattheeffectwassmallbutsignificant.Hesaidcouplesreportedbette
    rcommunicationandfewerproblemswhentheyexercisedtogether.Th
    eresearcherscomparedcouplesexercisingseparatelywithcouplesexe
    rcisingtogether.Bothindividualandsharedexercisewereassociatedwi
    thhealthiermarriages.However,coupleswhoexercisedtogetherweref
    oundtobemoresuccessfulatresolvingmaritalproblems.ProfessorYor
    gasonsaid:"About60percentofhusbandsandwivesinthesamplesaidt
    heyexercised,butonlyaboutathirdexercisedtogether.Thatmeansabo
    uthalfthepeoplewhoexercisearenotexercisingwiththeirspouse."Hea
    ddedthatwhiletheimpactwasnotnecessarilylarge,itwasveryconsiste
    ntacrosscouples.Thedifferencegavehimtheconfidencetosaythatitwa
    saffectingrelationships"insomemeaningfulway".

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Exercising alone is better than exercising with someone.  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. EXERCISING: Make a poster about exercising. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. COUPLES EXERCISE: Write a magazine article about requiring all couples to exercise together. 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 exercising. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on exercising with other people. 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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