The Reading / Listening - Plant-based Diets - Level 3

A new study from scientists suggests eating a lot of vegetables may not greatly reduce the risk of a heart attack. This goes against what doctors have been telling us for decades. People across the world believe it is essential to eat lots of vegetables to keep the heart healthy. The new study says other lifestyle factors may affect our health just as much as vegetables. These include other things we eat, how much exercise we get, where we live, our income, and whether or not we smoke and drink. The study is from universities in Oxford, Bristol and Hong Kong. Almost 400,000 people took part in it. They answered questions about their lifestyle, diet, and what raw and cooked vegetables they ate.

The scientists advised that people should still eat lots of vegetables because they were good for our heart and overall health. The findings of their study actually found that the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was around 15 per cent lower for those eating the most vegetables, especially raw vegetables. However, they explained that many other factors also contributed to this 15% reduction. Lead researcher Dr Qi Feng from the University of Oxford said: "Our large study did not find evidence for a protective effect of vegetable intake on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease". He said "differences in socioeconomic situation and lifestyle differences" also affected the health of our heart.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Plant-based Diets - Level 0,  Plant-based Diets - Level 1   or  Plant-based Diets - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/health-60429955
  • https://edition.cnn.com/2022/02/21/health/vegetables-heart-risk-wellness/index.html
  • https://www.techexplorist.com/consumption-vegetables-not-lower-risk-cvd/44895/


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. VEGETABLES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about vegetables. 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?
       study / scientists / vegetables / decade / heart / healthy / exercise / income / smoke /
       cardiovascular / raw / reduction / evidence / protective / socioeconomic / lifestyle
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. VEGETARIAN: Students A strongly believe we should all be vegetarian; Students B strongly believe not. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. HEALTH: How do these things affect our health? How do these things affect your life? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How It Affects Our Health

My Life

Vegetables

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Sleep

 

 

Internet

 

 

Income

 

 

Where you live

 

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

  • Spinach
  • Garlic
  • Cabbage
  • Onion
  • Aubergine
  • Cucumber
  • Radish
  • Asparagus

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. suggest a. Make smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
      2. reduce b. Absolutely necessary; extremely important.
      3. decade c. Put forward for people to think about.
      4. essential d. Money received, especially on a regular basis for work
      5. lifestyle e. The way in which a person lives.
      6. income f. Not cooked.
      7. raw g. A period of ten years.

    Paragraph 2

      8. advise h. Caused a change in something or someone.
      9. overall i. Relating to the heart and blood vessels.
      10. risk j. Helped to cause or bring about.
      11. cardiovascular k. Give someone ideas about the best thing to do.
      12. contributed l. Taken as a whole; in all.
      13. evidence m. The facts or information saying whether something is true.
      14. affected n. A situation involving exposure to danger.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The findings in the study are the same as what doctors always told us.    T / F
  2. Lifestyle affects our health much more than what we eat.     T / F
  3. Researchers looked at data on nearly 400,000 people in Hong Kong.     T / F
  4. People answered questions about what vegetables they ate.     T / F
  5. The researchers said people don't have to eat vegetables.     T / F
  6. People who ate vegetables had a 15% less chance of heart disease.     T / F
  7. A researcher from Oxford University conducted a large study.     T / F
  8. The researcher said our socioeconomic situation affected our health.     T / F

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

  1. reduce
  2. goes against
  3. income
  4. took part
  5. raw
  6. advised
  7. overall
  8. especially
  9. contributed
  10. situation
  1. participated
  2. salary
  3. recommended
  4. circumstances
  5. cut
  6. particularly
  7. uncooked
  8. played a part in
  9. contradicts
  10. general

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

  1. greatly reduce the
  2. This goes against what
  3. whether or not we smoke
  4. Almost 400,000 people took
  5. raw and
  6. people should still
  7. the risk of dying
  8. other factors also contributed to
  9. Our large study did not find
  10. lifestyle
  1. part in it
  2. this 15% reduction
  3. risk
  4. eat lots of vegetables
  5. and drink
  6. from cardiovascular disease
  7. evidence
  8. cooked vegetables
  9. differences
  10. doctors have been telling us

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
decades
whether
affect
raw
essential
greatly
took
much

A new study from scientists suggests eating a lot of vegetables may not (1) _____________________ reduce the risk of a heart attack. This goes against what doctors have been telling us for (2) _____________________. People across the world believe it is (3) _____________________ to eat lots of vegetables to keep the heart healthy. The new study says other lifestyle factors may (4) _____________________ our health just as much as vegetables. These include other things we eat, how (5) _____________________ exercise we get, where we live, our income, and (6) _____________________ or not we smoke and drink. The study is from universities in Oxford, Bristol and Hong Kong. Almost 400,000 people (7) _____________________ part in it. They answered questions about their lifestyle, diet, and what (8) _____________________ and cooked vegetables they ate.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
factors
overall
raw
advised
affected
disease
effect
evidence

The scientists (9) _____________________ that people should still eat lots of vegetables because they were good for our heart and (10) _____________________ health. The findings of their study actually found that the risk of dying from cardiovascular (11) _____________________ was around 15 per cent lower for those eating the most vegetables, especially (12) _____________________ vegetables. However, they explained that many other (13) _____________________ also contributed to this 15% reduction. Lead researcher Dr Qi Feng from the University of Oxford said: "Our large study did not find (14) _____________________ for a protective (15) _____________________ of vegetable intake on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease". He said "differences in socioeconomic situation and lifestyle differences" also (16) _____________________ the health of our heart.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) vegetables may not greatly reduce the ______ heart attack
     a.  risqué of a
     b.  brisk of a
     c.  risk of a
     d.  rasp of a
2)  This goes against what doctors have been telling ______
     a.  us four decades
     b.  us fore decades
     c.  us ford decades
     d.  us for decades
3)  The new study says other lifestyle factors may affect our health just as ______
     a.  much as vegetables
     b.  much has vegetables
     c.  much 'twas vegetables
     d.  much was vegetables
4)  include other things we eat, how much exercise we get, where we ______
     a.  live, ours income
     b.  live, hour income
     c.  live, our income
     d.  live, awe income
5)  answered questions about their lifestyle, diet, and what ______ vegetables
     a.  law and cooked
     b.  raw and cooked
     c.  paw and cooked
     d.  roar and cooked

6)  lots of vegetables because they were good for our heart ______
     a.  and oeuvre all health
     b.  and over all health
     c.  and overalls health
     d.  and overall health
7)  The findings of their study actually found that the ______
     a.  risk of dying
     b.  risk off dying
     c.  risky of dying
     d.  risk of dye inn
8)  However, they explained that many other factors also contributed to ______
     a.  this 15% reducing
     b.  this 15% deduction
     c.  this 15% deducing
     d.  this 15% reduction
9)  Our large study did not find evidence for a protective effect ______
     a.  of vegetable in make
     b.  of vegetable in bake
     c.  of vegetable intake
     d.  of vegetable in cake
10)  He said "differences in socioeconomic situation ______"
     a.  and lifestyle difference is
     b.  and lifestyle differentials
     c.  and lifestyle differences
     d.  and lifestyle differ instances

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new study from (1) ____________________ a lot of vegetables may not greatly reduce the risk of a heart attack. This (2) ____________________ doctors have been telling us for decades. People across the world believe it (3) ____________________ eat lots of vegetables to keep the heart healthy. The new study says other lifestyle factors may affect our health just as much as vegetables. These (4) ____________________ we eat, how much exercise we get, where we live, our income, and whether or not we smoke and drink. The study is from universities in Oxford, Bristol and Hong Kong. Almost 400,000 people took (5) ____________________. They answered questions about their lifestyle, diet, and what (6) ____________________ vegetables they ate.

The scientists advised that people (7) ____________________ lots of vegetables because they were good for our (8) ____________________ health. The findings of their study actually found that the (9) ____________________ from cardiovascular disease was around 15 per cent lower for those eating the most vegetables, especially raw vegetables. However, they explained that many (10) ____________________ contributed to this 15% reduction. Lead researcher Dr Qi Feng from the University of Oxford said: "Our large study did not (11) ____________________ a protective effect of vegetable intake on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease". He said "differences in socioeconomic (12) ____________________ differences" also affected the health of our heart.

Comprehension questions

  1. What do the findings of the study go against?
  2. For how long have doctors been telling us to eat vegetables?
  3. What does the article say affects our health as much as vegetables?
  4. How many universities conducted this research?
  5. What kinds of vegetables did people answer questions about?
  6. What overall thing did scientists say vegetables were good for?
  7. What kind of vegetables were most effective in reducing risks?
  8. Where does the researcher Qi Feng work?
  9. What did Qi Feng say his study did not find?
  10. What situation did Dr Qi Feng say affected the heart's health?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What do the findings of the study go against?
a) what doctors have been telling us
b) science
c) the grain
d) people
2) For how long have doctors been telling us to eat vegetables?
a) millennia
b) centuries
c) decades
d) years
3) What does the article say affects our health as much as vegetables?
a) sleep
b) lifestyle factors
c) fast food
d) pollution
4) How many universities conducted this research?
a) 6
b) 5
c) 4
d) 3
5)  What kinds of vegetables did people answer questions about?
a) cooked and raw vegetables
b) red and green vegetables
c) frozen vegetables
d) organic vegetables

6) What overall thing did scientists say vegetables were good for?
a) vegan cuisine
b) the world
c) pasta
d) our health
7) What kind of vegetables were most effective in reducing risks?
a) GM vegetables
b) raw vegetables
c) organic vegetables
d) carrots
8) Where does the researcher Qi Feng work?
a) Seoul National University
b) the University of Hong Kong
c) the University of Bristol
d) the University of Oxford
9) What did Qi Feng say his study did not find?
a) carrots
b) bad
c) evidence
d) answers
10) What situation did Dr Qi Feng say affected the heart's health?
a) a medical emergency
b) socioeconomic situation
c) too much exercise
d) poisoned parsley

Role play

Role  A – Garlic
You think garlic is the best vegetable. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their vegetables. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cabbage, carrots or cucumbers.

Role  B – Cabbage
You think cabbage is the best vegetable. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their vegetables. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): garlic, carrots or cucumbers.

Role  C – Carrots
You think carrots are the best vegetable. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their vegetables. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cabbage, garlic or cucumbers.

Role  D – Cucumbers
You think cucumbers are the best vegetable. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their vegetables. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): cabbage, carrots or garlic.

After reading / listening

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

'vegetable'

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

    • and 'heart'.

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

    • • 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:

    • suggests
    • decades
    • affect
    • include
    • took
    • questions
    • overall
    • findings
    • contributed
    • evidence
    • intake
    • affected

    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 - Plant-based Diets

    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 'vegetables'?
    3. How important are vegetables?
    4. What are your favourite vegetables?
    5. Should we all become vegetarians?
    6. What do you do to keep your heart healthy?
    7. What parts of your lifestyle are not good for your heart?
    8. Which do you prefer - raw or cooked vegetables?
    9. Why do people still smoke?
    10. Why does income affect the health of our heart?

    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 'health'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why are vegetables so healthy?
    5. How healthy is your lifestyle?
    6. What do you know about cardiovascular health?
    7. What kinds of vegetables are best?
    8. What other things are good for our heart?
    9. Will you eat more vegetables from now?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the scientists?

    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)

    A new study from scientists (1) ____ eating a lot of vegetables may not greatly reduce the risk of a heart attack. This goes (2) ____ what doctors have been telling us for decades. People across the world believe it is essential (3) ____ eat lots of vegetables to keep the heart healthy. The new study says other lifestyle factors may affect our health (4) ____ as much as vegetables. These include the things we eat, how much exercise we get, where we live, our (5) ____, and whether or not we smoke and drink. The study is from universities in Oxford, Bristol and Hong Kong. Almost 400,000 people took part in it. They answered questions about their lifestyle, diet, and what (6) ____ and cooked vegetables they ate.

    The scientists (7) ____ that people should still eat lots of vegetables because they were (8) ____ for our heart and overall health. The findings of their study actually found that the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was around 15 per cent (9) ____ for those eating the most vegetables, especially raw vegetables. However, they explained that many other factors also (10) ____ to this 15% reduction. Lead researcher Dr Qi Feng from the University of Oxford said: "Our large study did not find evidence for a (11) ____ effect of vegetable intake on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease". He said "differences in socioeconomic situation and lifestyle (12) ____" also affected the health of our heart.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     suggested     (b)     suggesting     (c)     suggests     (d)     suggestive    
    2. (a)     against     (b)     gains     (c)     again     (d)     aghast    
    3. (a)     to     (b)     for     (c)     by     (d)     at    
    4. (a)     just     (b)     most     (c)     more     (d)     many    
    5. (a)     outcome     (b)     come     (c)     coming     (d)     income    
    6. (a)     paw     (b)     awe     (c)     law     (d)     raw    
    7. (a)     advised     (b)     advice     (c)     advisory     (d)     advisor    
    8. (a)     goodness     (b)     goodly     (c)     goodie     (d)     good    
    9. (a)     lower     (b)     lowly     (c)     under     (d)     below    
    10. (a)     hoped     (b)     contributed     (c)     turning     (d)     shortened    
    11. (a)     protect     (b)     protective     (c)     protects     (d)     protector    
    12. (a)     differences     (b)     differ     (c)     differs     (d)     differential

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. greatly erudce the risk
    2. telling us for eacddes
    3. it is nseetisal to eat lots of vegetables
    4. cfotars may affect our health
    5. questions about their fseitllye
    6. awr and cooked vegetables

    Paragraph 2

    1. good for our heart and verolal health
    2. this 15% eurtcdion
    3. Our large study did not find inedevce
    4. a roeptctive effect of vegetable intake
    5. cardiovascular iesdase
    6. differences in socioeconomic iasituton

    Put the text back together

    (...)  health. The findings of their study actually found that the risk of dying from cardiovascular
    (...)  and drink. The study is from universities in Oxford, Bristol and Hong Kong. Almost 400,000 people took
    (...)  says other lifestyle factors may affect our health just as much as vegetables. These include other things
    (  1  ) A new study from scientists suggests eating a lot of vegetables may not greatly reduce the risk
    (...)  the world believe it is essential to eat lots of vegetables to keep the heart healthy. The new study
    (...)  reduction. Lead researcher Dr Qi Feng from the University of Oxford said: "Our large study did not find
    (...)  disease was around 15 per cent lower for those eating the most vegetables, especially raw
    (...)  of a heart attack. This goes against what doctors have been telling us for decades. People across
    (...)  we eat, how much exercise we get, where we live, our income, and whether or not we smoke
    (...)  The scientists advised that people should still eat lots of vegetables because they were good for our heart and overall
    (...)  evidence for a protective effect of vegetable intake on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease". He said "differences
    (...)  vegetables. However, they explained that many other factors also contributed to this 15%
    (...)  part in it. They answered questions about their lifestyle, diet, and what raw and cooked vegetables they ate.
    (...)  in socioeconomic situation and lifestyle differences" also affected the health of our heart.

    Put the words in the right order

    1. the   reduce   Eating   not   may   greatly   vegetables   risk   .
    2. What   for   us   telling   been   decades   .   have   doctors
    3. keep   the   vegetables   Eat   to   heart   healthy   .
    4. and   or   Whether   drink   .   we   not   smoke
    5. study   .   part   people   in   the   400,000   took   Almost
    6. of   should   eat   People   still   vegetables   .   lots
    7. cardiovascular   disease   .   from   risk   The   dying   of
    8. other   contributed   also   factors   to   Many   this   reduction   .
    9. effect   Find   evidence   protective   a   of   for   vegetables   .
    10. affected   Lifestyle   health   the   differences   of   our   heart   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new study from scientists suggests / suggesting eating a lot of vegetables may not greatly reduce the risky / risk of a heart attack. This goes against what doctors have been telling us for decades. People across the world believe it is essence / essential to eat lots of vegetables to keep the heart healthy. The new study says other / another lifestyle factors may effect / affect our health just as much as vegetables. These include other thing / things we eat, how much exercise we get, where we live, our income, and whether / weather or not we smoke and drink. The study is from / at universities in Oxford, Bristol and Hong Kong. Almost 400,000 people gave / took part in it. They answered questions about their lifestyle, diet, and what roar / raw and cooked vegetables they ate.

    The scientists advice / advised that people should still eat lots of vegetables because they were good for our heart and overalls / overall health. The findings / funding of their study actually found that the risk to / of dying from cardiovascular disease was around 15 per cent lower for them / those eating the most vegetables, especially raw vegetables. However, they explained that many other factories / factors also contributed to this 15% reduction. Lead researcher Dr Qi Feng from the University of Oxford said: "Our large studious / study did not find evidence for a protective effect of vegetable intake on the occur / occurrence of cardiovascular disease". He said "differences / different in socioeconomic situation and lifestyle differences" also affected the health / healthy of our heart.

    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  st_dy  fr_m  sc__nt_sts  s_gg_sts  __t_ng  _  l_t  _f  v_g_t_bl_s  m_y  n_t  gr__tly  r_d_c_  th_  r_sk  _f  _  h__rt  _tt_ck.  Th_s  g__s  _g__nst  wh_t  d_ct_rs  h_v_  b__n  t_ll_ng  _s  f_r  d_c_d_s.  P__pl_  _cr_ss  th_  w_rld  b_l__v_  _t  _s  _ss_nt__l  t_  __t  l_ts  _f  v_g_t_bl_s  t_  k__p  th_  h__rt  h__lthy.  Th_  n_w  st_dy  s_ys  _th_r  l_f_styl_  f_ct_rs  m_y  _ff_ct  __r  h__lth  j_st  _s  m_ch  _s  v_g_t_bl_s.  Th_s_  _ncl_d_  _th_r  th_ngs  w_  __t,  h_w  m_ch  _x_rc_s_  w_  g_t,  wh_r_  w_  l_v_,  __r  _nc_m_,  _nd  wh_th_r  _r  n_t  w_  sm_k_  _nd  dr_nk.  Th_  st_dy  _s  fr_m  _n_v_rs_t__s  _n  _xf_rd,  Br_st_l  _nd  H_ng  K_ng.  _lm_st  400,000  p__pl_  t__k  p_rt  _n  _t.  Th_y  _nsw_r_d  q__st__ns  _b__t  th__r  l_f_styl_,  d__t,  _nd  wh_t  r_w  _nd  c__k_d  v_g_t_bl_s  th_y  _t_.

    Th_  sc__nt_sts  _dv_s_d  th_t  p__pl_  sh__ld  st_ll  __t  l_ts  _f  v_g_t_bl_s  b_c__s_  th_y  w_r_  g__d  f_r  __r  h__rt  _nd  _v_r_ll  h__lth.  Th_  f_nd_ngs  _f  th__r  st_dy  _ct__lly  f__nd  th_t  th_  r_sk  _f  dy_ng  fr_m  c_rd__v_sc_l_r  d_s__s_  w_s  _r__nd  15  p_r  c_nt  l_w_r  f_r  th_s_  __t_ng  th_  m_st  v_g_t_bl_s,  _sp_c__lly  r_w  v_g_t_bl_s.  H_w_v_r,  th_y  _xpl__n_d  th_t  m_ny  _th_r  f_ct_rs  _ls_  c_ntr_b_t_d  t_  th_s  15%  r_d_ct__n.  L__d  r_s__rch_r  Dr  Q_  F_ng  fr_m  th_  _n_v_rs_ty  _f  _xf_rd  s__d:  "__r  l_rg_  st_dy  d_d  n_t  f_nd  _v_d_nc_  f_r  _  pr_t_ct_v_  _ff_ct  _f  v_g_t_bl_  _nt_k_  _n  th_  _cc_rr_nc_  _f  c_rd__v_sc_l_r  d_s__s_".  H_  s__d  "d_ff_r_nc_s  _n  s_c___c_n_m_c  s_t__t__n  _nd  l_f_styl_  d_ff_r_nc_s"  _ls_  _ff_ct_d  th_  h__lth  _f  __r  h__rt.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new study from scientists suggests eating a lot of vegetables may not greatly reduce the risk of a heart attack this goes against what doctors have been telling us for decades people across the world believe it is essential to eat lots of vegetables to keep the heart healthy the new study says other lifestyle factors may affect our health just as much as vegetables these include other things we eat how much exercise we get where we live our income and whether or not we smoke and drink the study is from universities in oxford bristol and hong kong almost 400000 people took part in it they answered questions about their lifestyle diet and what raw and cooked vegetables they ate

    the scientists advised that people should still eat lots of vegetables because they were good for our heart and overall health the findings of their study actually found that the risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was around 15 per cent lower for those eating the most vegetables especially raw vegetables however they explained that many other factors also contributed to this 15 reduction lead researcher dr qi feng from the university of oxford said our large study did not find evidence for a protective effect of vegetable intake on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease he said differences in socioeconomic situation and lifestyle differences also affected the health of our heart

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Anewstudyfromscientistssuggestseatingalotofvegetablesmaynotgr
    eatlyreducetheriskofaheartattack.Thisgoesagainstwhatdoctorshav
    ebeentellingusfordecades.Peopleacrosstheworldbelieveitisessential
    toeatlotsofvegetablestokeepthehearthealthy.Thenewstudysaysoth
    erlifestylefactorsmayaffectourhealthjustasmuchasvegetables.Thes
    eincludeotherthingsweeat,howmuchexerciseweget,wherewelive,ou
    rincome,andwhetherornotwesmokeanddrink.Thestudyisfromuniver
    sitiesinOxford,BristolandHongKong.Almost400,000peopletookparti
    nit.Theyansweredquestionsabouttheirlifestyle,diet,andwhatrawand
    cookedvegetablestheyate.Thescientistsadvisedthatpeopleshouldsti
    lleatlotsofvegetablesbecausetheyweregoodforourheartandoverallh
    ealth.Thefindingsoftheirstudyactuallyfoundthattheriskofdyingfrom
    cardiovasculardiseasewasaround15percentlowerforthoseeatingthe
    mostvegetables,especiallyrawvegetables.However,theyexplainedt
    hatmanyotherfactorsalsocontributedtothis15%reduction.Leadrese
    archerDrQiFengfromtheUniversityofOxfordsaid:"Ourlargestudydid
    notfindevidenceforaprotectiveeffectofvegetableintakeontheoccurre
    nceofcardiovasculardisease".Hesaid"differencesinsocioeconomicsit
    uationandlifestyledifferences"alsoaffectedthehealthofourheart.

    Free writing

    Write about plant-based diet for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Eating vegetables is the most important thing we can do for our health.  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. VEGETABLES: Make a poster about vegetables. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. PLANT-BASED DIET: Write a magazine article about all of us miving to a plant-based diet. 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 vegetables. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your opinions on a plant-based diet. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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