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Smaller plates help reduce obesity (17th September, 2015)

The Reading / Listening - Level 3

New research suggests there is a simple and easy way that helps people to stop over-eating. Researchers say there is an alternative to fancy diets. They say that using smaller plates, knives, forks, glasses and other tableware could reduce the amount of food we eat. Many of us tend to use the size of the plate as a measure of how much we can eat. If we use a large plate, we fill the plate with food, which often means we eat too much. Research from Cambridge University in the U.K. suggests that smaller plates could lower the amount of food we eat. British people could reduce their calorie intake by up to 16 per cent, while Americans could see a reduction of up to 29 per cent in calories.

The research team looked at data from 6,711 people who took part in the eating trials. Dr Gareth Hollands, one of the leaders of the research, said that many people think it is, "obvious that the larger the portion size, the more people eat," but said that until now, there was little research on this. He added that it was wrong to think people ate too much because of a lack of self-control. He said: "Helping people to avoid 'over-serving' themselves or others with larger portions of food or drink by reducing their size, availability and appeal in shops, restaurants and in the home, is likely to be a good way of helping lots of people to reduce their risk of overeating."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 0, Level 1 or Level 2

Sources

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breakingnews/offbeat/smaller-tableware-could-help-reduce-overeating-and-obesity-31525875.html
http://www.medicaldaily.com/how-stop-overeating-starting-plates-cut-over-500-calories-day-using-smaller-tableware-352484
http://www.webmd.boots.com/diet/news/20150914/smaller-plates-tackle-obesity

Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. OBESITY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about obesity. 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 / over-eating / alternative / forks / measure / plate / amount / calorie intake / research / trials / obvious / portion / self-control / availability / restaurants / risk

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. OVER-EATING: What can we do to stop over-eating? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What to do	How this can help
Restaurants
Education
TV commercials
Family meals
Snacks
Doctors

4. SMALLER PLATES: Students A strongly believe smaller plates is the answer to losing weight; Students B strongly believe not. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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. LOSING WEIGHT: Rank these ways to lose weight with your partner. Put the best ones at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• smaller plates

• become vegetarian

• swim

• no dinner

• eat more fruit

• no cakes or chocolate

• don't sit down

• diet

6. PLATE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "plate". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.	New research says losing weight is extremely difficult.	T / F
b.	The research says smaller knives and forks could help you lose weight.	T / F
c.	The article says many of us put a small amount of food on a big plate.	T / F
d.	British people could reduce calorie intake by 16% with smaller plates.	T / F
e.	Researchers tested over 6,711 different plates of food.	T / F
f.	There is a lot of research on plate size and the amount of food we eat.	T / F
g.	A researcher said overeating was not because of having no self-control.	T / F
h.	The researcher said restaurants should help us to not overeat.	T / F

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

1.	way	a.	information
2.	reduce	b.	volume
3.	large	c.	consume
4.	amount	d.	keep away from
5.	eat	e.	cut
6.	data	f.	tests
7.	trials	g.	method
8.	obvious	h.	probable
9.	avoid	i.	big
10.	likely	j.	clear

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

1.	a simple and easy	a.	overeating
2.	an alternative to	b.	intake
3.	a measure of how	c.	the more people eat
4.	reduce their calorie	d.	much we can eat
5.	a reduction of up to	e.	part in the eating trials
6.	people who took	f.	way
7.	the larger the portion size,	g.	fancy diets
8.	a lack of self-	h.	portions
9.	larger	i.	29 per cent in calories
10.	reduce their risk of	j.	control

GAP FILL

New research suggests there is a (1) ____________ and easy way that helps people to stop over-eating. Researchers say there is an (2) ____________ to fancy diets. They say that using smaller plates, knives, forks, glasses and other tableware could (3) ____________ the amount of food we eat. Many of us (4) ____________ to use the size of the plate as a measure of how much we can eat. If we use a large plate, we fill the plate with food, which (5) ____________ means we eat too much. Research from Cambridge University in the U.K. suggests that smaller plates could (6) ____________ the amount of food we eat. British people could reduce their (7) ____________ intake by up to 16 per cent, while Americans could see a (8) ____________ of up to 29 per cent in calories.

lower
reduction
reduce
calorie
simple
tend
alternative
often

The research team looked at (9) ____________ from 6,711 people who took part in the eating (10) ____________. Dr Gareth Hollands, one of the leaders of the research, said that many people think it is, "(11) ____________ that the larger the portion size, the more people eat," but said that until now, there was little research on this. He added that it was (12) ____________ to think people ate too much because of a (13) ____________ of self-control. He said: "Helping people to (14) ____________ 'over-serving' themselves or others with larger (15) ____________ of food or drink by reducing their size, availability and appeal in shops, restaurants and in the home, is likely to be a good way of helping lots of people to reduce their (16) ____________ of overeating."

avoid
wrong
trials
risk
portions
data
lack
obvious

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	there is a simple and easy way that helps people to ______
	a. stops over-eating b. stopping over-eating c. stop over-eating d. stopped over-eating
2)	Researchers say there is an alternative ______
	a. to fancy diet b. two fancy diets c. to fancy diets d. too fancy diets
3)	Many of us tend to use the size of the plate as a measure of how ______
	a. much we can eat b. much we can't eat c. much you can eat d. much we could eat
4)	British people could reduce ______
	a. their calorie outtake b. their calories intake c. their calorie intake d. there calorie intake
5)	Americans could see a reduction of up to 29 per ______
	a. cent on calories b. cent an calories c. cent in calories d. cent on calories
6)	The research team looked at data from 6,711 people who took part ______
	a. in the eating trails b. in the eating tails c. in the eating trials d. in the eating toils
7)	it is obvious that the larger the portion size, the ______
	a. much people eat b. many people eat c. most people eat d. more people eat
8)	He added that it was wrong to think people ate too much because of ______
	a. a lack of self-control b. a lack on self-control c. a luck of self-control d. a luck of self-control
9)	Helping people to avoid 'over-serving' themselves or others ______
	a. with larger persons b. with larger partitions c. with larger potions d. with larger portions
10)	a good way of helping lots of people to reduce their ______
	a. risky of overeating b. risks of overeating c. risk of overeating d. risked of overeating

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

New research suggests (1) ___________________ and easy way that helps people to stop over-eating. Researchers say there is (2) ___________________ fancy diets. They say that using smaller plates, knives, forks, glasses and other tableware could (3) ___________________ of food we eat. Many (4) ___________________ use the size of the plate as a measure of how much we can eat. If we use a large plate, we fill the plate with food, which often means we eat too much. Research from Cambridge University in the U.K. suggests that smaller plates could (5) ___________________ of food we eat. British people could reduce their calorie intake by up to 16 per cent, while Americans (6) ___________________ of up to 29 per cent in calories.

The research team (7) ___________________ from 6,711 people who took part in the eating trials. Dr Gareth Hollands, one of the leaders of the research, said that many people think (8) ___________________ the larger the portion size, the more people eat," but (9) ___________________, there was little research on this. He added that it was wrong to think people ate too much because of a (10) ___________________. He said: "Helping people to avoid 'over-serving' themselves or others with larger portions of food or drink by reducing their size, availability (11) ___________________, restaurants and in the home, is likely to be a good way of helping lots of people (12) ___________________ risk of overeating."

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	What could smaller plates be an alternative to?
2.	What do many of use to measure how much food we can eat?
3.	Which university conducted the research?
4.	Who could reduce their calorie intake by up to 16%?
5.	By how much could Americans see a reduction in their calorie intake?
6.	What did 6,711 people take part in?
7.	Who is Gareth Hollands?
8.	Until when was there little research on plate size and eating amounts?
9.	What might many people think is the reason for over-eating?
10.	Where else could people reduce plate size besides shops and the home?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	What could smaller plates be an alternative to?	6.	What did 6,711 people take part in?
	a) smaller shopping bags b) bowls c) fancy diets d) calories		a) an eating contest b) eating trials c) a plate-making course d) a fruit-only diet
2.	What do many of use to measure how much food we can eat?	7.	Who is Gareth Hollands?
	a) our plate b) weighing scales c) a ruler d) an iPad		a) a researcher b) a plate maker c) an expert on nutrition d) a famous vegetarian
3.	Which university conducted the research?	8.	Until when was there little research on plate size and eating amounts?
	a) Cambridge University b) Yale University c) Tokyo University d) The University of Food		a) 1999 b) January c) now d) the 15th of last month
4.	Who could reduce their calorie intake by up to 16%?	9.	What might many people think is the reason for over-eating?
	a) plate makers b) British people c) everyone d) vegetarians		a) TV commercials b) the brain c) chocolate d) a lack of self-control
5.	By how much could Americans see a reduction in their calorie intake?	10.	Where else could people reduce plate size besides shops and the home?
	a) 26% b) 27% c) 28% d) 29%		a) restaurants b) malls c) bakeries d) plate factories

ROLE PLAY

Role A – Smaller plates

You think using smaller plates is the best way to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): swimming, becoming a vegetarian or eating more fruit.

Role B – Swimming

You think swimming is the best way to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): using smaller plates, becoming a vegetarian or eating more fruit.

Role C – Becoming a vegetarian

You think becoming a vegetarian is the best way to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): swimming, using smaller plates or eating more fruit.

Role D – Eating more fruit

You think eating more fruit is the best way to lose weight. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that are wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): swimming, becoming a vegetarian or using smaller plates.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

reduce

obesity

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:

way
diets
tend
fill
lower
calories

data
leaders
now
lack
others
risk

OBESITY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about obesity 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.

	STUDENT 1 _____________	STUDENT 2 _____________	STUDENT 3 _____________
Q.1.
Q.2.
Q.3.
Q.4.
Q.5.

Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.

Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

OBESITY DISCUSSION

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

1)	What did you think when you read the headline?
2)	What springs to mind when you hear the word 'obesity'?
3)	What do you think about what you read?
4)	How does the size of your plates affect how much you eat?
5)	What's the best way to lose weight?
6)	What experiences do you have of going on a diet?
7)	Should restaurants give smaller portions?
8)	Why do we eat too much?
9)	How healthy is your daily diet?
10)	How can we get more information about calories in food?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	When is it difficult to stop overeating?
13)	What size of portions do you eat every day?
14)	Will you now change the size of your tablewear?
15)	A saying says, 'Your eyes are bigger than your stomach'. Is this true?
16)	What do you think of restaurants that offer 'super' sizes?
17)	Should restaurants use smaller plates and spoons?
18)	How much self-control do you have with food?
19)	What can restaurants do to help people to stop overeating?
20)	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)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
1.	________________________________________________________
2.	________________________________________________________
3.	________________________________________________________
4.	________________________________________________________
5.	________________________________________________________
6.	________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

New research suggests there is a simple and (1) ____ way that helps people to stop over-eating. Researchers say there is an alternative to (2) ____ diets. They say that using smaller plates, knives, forks, glasses and other tableware could reduce the amount of food we eat. Many of us (3) ____ to use the size of the plate as a measure of how much we can eat. If we use a large plate, we fill the plate with food, which often (4) ____ we eat too much. Research from Cambridge University in the U.K. suggests that smaller plates could (5) ____ the amount of food we eat. British people could reduce their calorie intake by up to 16 per cent, while Americans could see a reduction of up to 29 per cent (6) ____ calories.

The research team looked (7) ____ data from 6,711 people who took part in the eating (8) ____. Dr Gareth Hollands, one of the leaders of the research, said that many people think it is, "(9) ____ that the larger the portion size, the more people eat," but said that until now, there was little research on this. He added that it was wrong to think people ate too much because of a (10) ____ of self-control. He said: "Helping people to avoid 'over-serving' themselves or others with larger portions of food or drink (11) ____ reducing their size, availability and appeal in shops, restaurants and in the home, is (12) ____ to be a good way of helping lots of people to reduce their risk of overeating."

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.	(a)	easy	(b)	eases	(c)	ease	(d)	easily
2.	(a)	focal	(b)	frolic	(c)	fancy	(d)	finalize
3.	(a)	mend	(b)	bend	(c)	tend	(d)	fend
4.	(a)	meanings	(b)	meaning	(c)	moans	(d)	means
5.	(a)	lower	(b)	allow	(c)	lowly	(d)	allowance
6.	(a)	on	(b)	in	(c)	to	(d)	of
7.	(a)	as	(b)	by	(c)	of	(d)	at
8.	(a)	toils	(b)	trials	(c)	tails	(d)	trails
9.	(a)	oblivious	(b)	observes	(c)	obvious	(d)	obstacles
10.	(a)	hack	(b)	rack	(c)	pack	(d)	lack
11.	(a)	to	(b)	of	(c)	at	(d)	by
12.	(a)	liking	(b)	likely	(c)	likelihood	(d)	likes

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	research gstsusge there is a simple and easy way
2.	an evntartiale to fancy diets
3.	a reeamsu of how much we can eat
4.	lower the mnutao of food we eat
5.	ciloare intake
6.	a noitecrud of up to 29 per cent
Paragraph 2
7.	people who took part in the eating itlsra
8.	people think it is uosbovi
9.	a lack of self-lrtcoon
10.	iodav 'over-serving'
11.	size, iitbaylviaal and appeal
12.	kleyil to be a good way

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	the portion size, the more people eat," but said that until now, there was little research on
( )	of food we eat. Many of us tend to use the size of the plate as a measure of how much we can eat. If we
( )	trials. Dr Gareth Hollands, one of the leaders of the research, said that many people think it is, "obvious that the larger
( )	reducing their size, availability and appeal in shops, restaurants and in the home, is
( )	The research team looked at data from 6,711 people who took part in the eating
( )	eating. Researchers say there is an alternative to fancy diets. They say that using smaller
( )	use a large plate, we fill the plate with food, which often means we eat too much. Research from Cambridge University in
( )	plates, knives, forks, glasses and other tableware could reduce the amount
( )	this. He added that it was wrong to think people ate too much because of a lack of self-control. He said: "Helping
( )	likely to be a good way of helping lots of people to reduce their risk of overeating."
( )	calorie intake by up to 16 per cent, while Americans could see a reduction of up to 29 per cent in calories.
( 1 )	New research suggests there is a simple and easy way that helps people to stop over-
( )	people to avoid 'over-serving' themselves or others with larger portions of food or drink by
( )	the U.K. suggests that smaller plates could lower the amount of food we eat. British people could reduce their

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	fancy Researchers is to there alternative diets say an .
2.	a use measure the size Many of of the us plate tend as to .
3.	fill a food we use with , we plate plate If the large .
4.	plates could lower the amount of food we eat Smaller .
5.	to up by intake calorie their reduce could people British 16% .
6.	from data at looked team research The people 6,711 .
7.	research , little this now was on Until there .
8.	ate control of of too self a much People - lack because .
9.	to themselves avoid 'over Helping - people serving' .
10.	of people to reduce their risk of overeating Helping lots .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

New research suggests / suggesting there is a simple and easily / easy way that helps people to stop over-eating. Researchers say there is an alternative / alternation to fancy diets. They say that using smaller plates, knives, forks, glasses and other tableware could reduction / reduce the amount of food we eat. Many of us fend / tend to use the size of the plate as a measure of how much we can eat. If we use / usage a large plate, we fill the plate with food, which often meaning / means we eat too much. Research from Cambridge University in / at the U.K. suggests that smaller plates could lower the amount of food we eat. British people could reduce their calorie intake / outtake by up to 16 per cent, while Americans could see a reduction of high / up to 29 per cent in calories.

The research team looked at / in data from 6,711 people who took part in the eating trials / trails. Dr Gareth Hollands, one of the leadership / leaders of the research, said that many people think it is, "obvious / oblivious that the larger the portion / potion size, the more people eat," but said that until now, there was little research on / to this. He added that it was wrong to think people ate too much because of a slack / lack of self-control. He said: "Helping people to avoid / avoiding 'over-serving' themselves or others with larger portions of food or drink by reducing their size, available / availability and appeal in shops, restaurants and in the home, is likely to be a good way of helping lots of people to reduce them / their risk of overeating."

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

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

N_w r_s__rch s_gg_sts th_r_ _s _ s_mpl_ _nd __sy w_y th_t h_lps p__pl_ t_ st_p _v_r-__t_ng. R_s__rch_rs s_y th_r_ _s _n _lt_rn_t_v_ t_ f_ncy d__ts. Th_y s_y th_t _s_ng sm_ll_r pl_t_s, kn_v_s, f_rks, gl_ss_s _nd _th_r t_bl_w_r_ c__ld r_d_c_ th_ _m__nt _f f__d w_ __t. M_ny _f _s t_nd t_ _s_ th_ s_z_ _f th_ pl_t_ _s _ m__s_r_ _f h_w m_ch w_ c_n __t. _f w_ _s_ _ l_rg_ pl_t_, w_ f_ll th_ pl_t_ w_th f__d, wh_ch _ft_n m__ns w_ __t t__ m_ch. R_s__rch fr_m C_mbr_dg_ _n_v_rs_ty _n th_ _.K. s_gg_sts th_t sm_ll_r pl_t_s c__ld l_w_r th_ _m__nt _f f__d w_ __t. Br_t_sh p__pl_ c__ld r_d_c_ th__r c_l_r__ _nt_k_ by _p t_ 16 p_r c_nt, wh_l_ _m_r_c_ns c__ld s__ _ r_d_ct__n _f _p t_ 29 p_r c_nt _n c_l_r__s.

Th_ r_s__rch t__m l__k_d _t d_t_ fr_m 6,711 p__pl_ wh_ t__k p_rt _n th_ __t_ng tr__ls. Dr G_r_th H_ll_nds, _n_ _f th_ l__d_rs _f th_ r_s__rch, s__d th_t m_ny p__pl_ th_nk _t _s, "_bv___s th_t th_ l_rg_r th_ p_rt__n s_z_, th_ m_r_ p__pl_ __t," b_t s__d th_t _nt_l n_w, th_r_ w_s l_ttl_ r_s__rch _n th_s. H_ _dd_d th_t _t w_s wr_ng t_ th_nk p__pl_ _t_ t__ m_ch b_c__s_ _f _ l_ck _f s_lf-c_ntr_l. H_ s__d: "H_lp_ng p__pl_ t_ _v__d '_v_r-s_rv_ng' th_ms_lv_s _r _th_rs w_th l_rg_r p_rt__ns _f f__d _r dr_nk by r_d_c_ng th__r s_z_, _v__l_b_l_ty _nd _pp__l _n sh_ps, r_st__r_nts _nd _n th_ h_m_, _s l_k_ly t_ b_ _ g__d w_y _f h_lp_ng l_ts _f p__pl_ t_ r_d_c_ th__r r_sk _f _v_r__t_ng."

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

new research suggests there is a simple and easy way that helps people to stop over-eating researchers say there is an alternative to fancy diets they say that using smaller plates knives forks glasses and other tableware could reduce the amount of food we eat many of us tend to use the size of the plate as a measure of how much we can eat if we use a large plate we fill the plate with food which often means we eat too much research from cambridge university in the uk suggests that smaller plates could lower the amount of food we eat british people could reduce their calorie intake by up to 16 per cent while americans could see a reduction of up to 29 per cent in calories

the research team looked at data from 6711 people who took part in the eating trials dr gareth hollands one of the leaders of the research said that many people think it is "obvious that the larger the portion size the more people eat" but said that until now there was little research on this he added that it was wrong to think people ate too much because of a lack of self-control he said "helping people to avoid 'over-serving' themselves or others with larger portions of food or drink by reducing their size availability and appeal in shops restaurants and in the home is likely to be a good way of helping lots of people to reduce their risk of overeating"

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

Newresearchsuggeststhereisasimpleandeasywaythathelpspeopleto
stopover-eating.Researcherssaythereisanalternativetofancyd
iets.Theysaythatusingsmallerplates,knives,forks,glassesandothert
ablewarecouldreducetheamountoffoodweeat.Manyofustendtouseth
esizeoftheplateasameasureofhowmuchwecaneat.Ifweusealargepla
te,wefilltheplatewithfood,whichoftenmeansweeattoomuch.Researc
hfromCambridgeUniversityintheU.K.suggeststhatsmallerplatescoul
dlowertheamountoffoodweeat.Britishpeoplecouldreducetheircalori
eintakebyupto16percent,whileAmericanscouldseeareductionofupto
29percentincalories.Theresearchteamlookedatdatafrom6,711peopl
ewhotookpartintheeatingtrials.DrGarethHollands,oneoftheleaderso
ftheresearch,saidthatmanypeoplethinkitis,"obviousthatthelargerth
eportionsize,themorepeopleeat,"butsaidthatuntilnow,therewaslittl
eresearchonthis.Headdedthatitwaswrongtothinkpeopleatetoomuch
becauseofalackofself-control.Hesaid:"Helpingpeopletoavoid'over-
serving'themselvesorotherswithlargerportionsoffoodordrinkbyredu
cingtheirsize,availabilityandappealinshops,restaurantsandintheho
me,islikelytobeagoodwayofhelpinglotsofpeopletoreducetheirriskofo
vereating."

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Large plates should be banned so people do not eat too much. 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 over-eating and plate size. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. OBESITY: Make a poster about obesity. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SMALLER PLATES: Write a magazine article about using smaller plates. Include imaginary interviews with people who think this will make people eat less, and with those who thing it won't.

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 obesity. Ask him/her three questions about obesity. Give him/her three of your ideas. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

F

d

T

e

F

f

F

g

T

h

T

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	way	a.	method
2	reduce	b.	cut
3.	large	c.	big
4.	amount	d.	volume
5.	eat	e.	consume
6.	data	f.	information
7.	trials	g.	tests
8.	obvious	h.	clear
9.	avoid	i.	keep away from
10.	likely	j.	probable

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	Fancy diets
2.	Our plate
3.	Cambridge University
4.	British people
5.	29%
6.	Eating trials
7.	A research leader
8.	Now
9.	A lack of self-control
10.	Restaurants

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

c

2.

a

3.

a

4.

b

5.

d

6.

b

7.

a

8.

c

9.

d

10.

a

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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Smaller plates help reduce obesity (17th September, 2015)

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