Word Pairs

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The words
The world-famous Maori war dance (the haka) and [been / being] bilingual may help Maori people [keep / keeping] dementia away. Researchers from the University of Auckland in New Zealand [says / say] performing the haka and speaking two [language / languages] (Maori and English) might help Maoris avoid getting dementia. A study by New Zealand's Ministry of Health compared [rates / ratio] of dementia among citizens [in / on] their 80s and 90s. They expected to [find / fund] higher rates of dementia among Maoris. This is because Maoris [general / generally] have less access to health care, less income, and more [heart / hearty] diseases than non-Maoris. However, researchers found [not / no] differences in rates of dementia between Maoris and non-Maoris.

The haka is a [traditional / traditionally] war cry or challenge. It is [done / doing] by a group of people who all [chat / chant] and repeat the same energetic movements and stamping [of / for] the feet. It was originally performed by warriors before a battle. They wanted to [showing / show] their strength and frighten their enemy. The New Zealand Native football team started using it in 1888. The New Zealand rugby team (the famous All Blacks) [then / that] started using it before [them / their] matches in 1905. It is now a [key / lock] part of the pre-match preparations for the All Blacks rugby team. The haka is also used to welcome [importance / important] guests at ceremonies. A Maori professor said that [skill / skull] , eye co-ordination and the complex dance routines of the haka help to keep the brain healthy.

Back to the Maori haka lesson.

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