The Reading / Listening - Mosquito Bites - Level 3

Why are some people bitten by mosquitoes more than other people? A website has discovered some answers to this question. Researchers from the site Medical News Today (MNT) looked into what parts of us mosquitoes like. They found out some interesting things. A professor of public health, Dr Jagdish Khubchandani, told MNT what he thought mosquitoes liked. He said: "Studies suggest that pregnant women, people with high body temperature and sweat…and those with darker skin could be [bigger targets]." Blood type could be another factor. Studies found that mosquitoes are not so attracted to people with blood group A. However, they find people with blood group O a little tastier.

Medical News Today reported that there are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide. Only a fraction of these bite people. Only the females of the species bite. They need blood to provide protein for their eggs. Mosquito bites are an annoyance for most people. The bite becomes itchy and can swell. However, millions of people have died from the diseases mosquitoes spread. These include malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Zika, among others. To avoid getting bitten, it is best to cover your skin with clothing. It is also a good idea to use insect repellent (day and night, indoors and outdoors) on any exposed skin. Sleeping under a mosquito net can also reduce the chances of being bitten.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Mosquito Bites - Level 0,  Mosquito Bites - Level 1   or  Mosquito Bites - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/why-do-mosquitoes-always-bite-me#Avoiding-the-bites
  • https://www.cnet.com/health/are-some-people-more-prone-to-mosquito-bites-than-others/
  • https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mosquito-bite-avoidance-for-travellers/mosquito-bite-avoidance-advice-for-travellers--2


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. MOSQUITO BITES: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about mosquito bites. 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?
       mosquitoes / website / public health / interesting / pregnant / body / temperature /
       worldwide / fraction / bite / protein / annoyance / itchy / malaria / skin / insect / skin
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. UNNCESSARY: Students A strongly believe mosquitoes are unnecessary; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. BITES AND STINGS: What do you know about these bites and stings? How should we treat them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What I Know

Treatment

Mosquito bites

 

 

Bee stings

 

 

Hornet stings

 

 

Scorpion stings

 

 

Bedbug bites

 

 

Spider bites

 

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

  • Mosquitoes
  • Cockroaches
  • Stink bugs
  • Flies
  • Centipedes
  • Slugs
  • Spiders
  • Moths

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. discovered a. Of a woman with a baby growing inside her.
      2. public b. Became aware of a fact or situation.
      3. pregnant c. How hot or cold something is.
      4. temperature d. The water that comes out of our skin when we are hot, exercise or have a fever.
      5. sweat e. About all of the people in a country.
      6. factor f. Caused to come to a place or join something because of something nice.
      7. attracted g. Something that is one reason for another thing happening.

    Paragraph 2

      8. species h. A small or tiny part of something.
      9. fraction i. Being uncomfortable enough that you want to scratch your skin to make the feeling go away.
      10. protein j. A group of living things that are all in the same group of animal, insect, fish, etc.
      11. annoyance k. The thing in meat, fish and other food that help to give us bigger muscles.
      12. itchy l. Keep away from.
      13. avoid m. Something that makes us a little angry.
      14. skin n. The outer layer of tissue that covers our whole body.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A mosquito website found out why mosquitoes like different people.     T / F
  2. Mosquitoes like to sting people with a high body temperature.     T / F
  3. Lighter-skinned people get bitten more than darker-skinned people.     T / F
  4. Mosquitoes like people with blood group A the best.     T / F
  5. Most species of mosquito do not bite.     T / F
  6. Only male mosquitoes bite us.     T / F
  7. Mosquitoes spread Zika virus.     T / F
  8. The article says we should wear insect repellant indoors.     T / F

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

  1. discovered
  2. like
  3. studies
  4. target
  5. tastier
  6. worldwide
  7. provide
  8. annoyance
  9. insect
  10. chances
  1. research
  2. nuisance
  3. more delicious
  4. prey
  5. give
  6. bug
  7. found
  8. likelihood
  9. (be) fond of
  10. globally

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

  1. discovered some answers
  2. pregnant
  3. those with darker
  4. mosquitoes are not so attracted to people
  5. they find people with blood group O
  6. there are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes
  7. Only a fraction
  8. Mosquito bites are an
  9. diseases mosquitoes
  10. reduce the chances
  1. skin
  2. a little tastier
  3. of being bitten
  4. of these bite people
  5. to this question
  6. annoyance
  7. spread
  8. with blood group A
  9. women
  10. worldwide

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
skin
answers
tastier
health
attracted
other
pregnant
parts

Why are some people bitten by mosquitoes more than (1) _____________________ people? A website has discovered some (2) _____________________ to this question. Researchers from the site Medical News Today (MNT) looked into what (3) _____________________ of us mosquitoes like. They found out some interesting things. A professor of public (4) _____________________, Dr Jagdish Khubchandani, told MNT what he thought mosquitoes liked. He said: "Studies suggest that (5) _____________________ women, people with high body temperature and sweat...and those with darker (6) _____________________ could be [bigger targets]." Blood type could be another factor. Studies found that mosquitoes are not so (7) _____________________ to people with blood group A. However, they find people with blood group O a little (8) _____________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
females
malaria
chances
worldwide
itchy
insect
fraction
avoid

Medical News Today reported that there are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes (9) ___________________. Only a (10) _____________________ of these bite people. Only the (11) _____________________ of the species bite. They need blood to provide protein for their eggs. Mosquito bites are an annoyance for most people. The bite becomes (12) _____________________ and can swell. However, millions of people have died from the diseases mosquitoes spread. These include (13) _____________________, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Zika, among others. To (14) _____________________ getting bitten, it is best to cover your skin with clothing. It is also a good idea to use (15) _____________________ repellent (day and night, indoors and outdoors) on any exposed skin. Sleeping under a mosquito net can also reduce the (16) _____________________ of being bitten.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) A website has discovered some answers ______
     a.  to this quest on
     b.  too this question
     c.  to these question
     d.  to this question
2)  Dr Jagdish Khubchandani told MNT what he ______
     a.  thought mosquitoes alike
     b.  thought mosquitoes liked
     c.  thought mosquitoes liken
     d.  thought mosquitoes licked
3)  pregnant women, people with high body ______
     a.  temperature and sweat
     b.  temperature end sweet
     c.  temperature end sweat
     d.  temperature and wets
4)  Studies found that mosquitoes are not so attracted to people with ______
     a.  bloods group A
     b.  blooded group A
     c.  brood group A
     d.  blood group A
5)  However, they find people with blood group O ______
     a.  a little taste tier
     b.  a little taster
     c.  a little tastier
     d.  a little Taser

6)  Medical News Today reported that there are over 3,500 species ______
     a.  of mosquitoes world widen
     b.  of mosquitoes world wider
     c.  of mosquitoes worldwide
     d.  of mosquitoes world weed
7)  Only the females of ______
     a.  the species biter
     b.  the species bite
     c.  the species bites
     d.  the species byte
8)  The bite becomes itchy ______
     a.  and can swell
     b.  and can swill
     c.  and can swirl
     d.  and can swollen
9)  It is also a good idea to ______
     a.  use insect ripper lent
     b.  use insect repellent
     c.  use insect reap pedant
     d.  use insect repel lent
10)  Sleeping under a mosquito net can also reduce the chances ______
     a.  of been bitten
     b.  of be in bitten
     c.  off bean bitten
     d.  of being bitten

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Why are some (1) ____________________ mosquitoes more than other people? A website has discovered some answers to this question. Researchers (2) ____________________ Medical News Today (MNT) looked into what parts of us mosquitoes like. They (3) ____________________ interesting things. A professor of public health, Dr Jagdish Khubchandani, told MNT what he thought mosquitoes liked. He said: "Studies (4) ____________________ women, people with high body temperature and sweat...and those with (5) ____________________ be [bigger targets]." Blood type could be another factor. Studies found that mosquitoes are not so attracted to people with blood group A. However, they find people with blood group O (6) ____________________.

Medical News Today reported (7) ____________________ over 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide. Only a (8) ____________________ bite people. Only the females of the species bite. They need blood to provide protein for their eggs. Mosquito bites are (9) ____________________ most people. The bite becomes itchy and can swell. However, millions of people have died from the diseases mosquitoes spread. (10) ____________________, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Zika, among others. To avoid getting bitten, it is best to cover your skin with clothing. It is also a good idea to (11) ____________________ (day and night, indoors and outdoors) on any exposed skin. Sleeping under a mosquito net can also (12) ____________________ of being bitten.

Comprehension questions

  1. What website found out some answers about mosquitoes?
  2. What is Dr Jagdish Khubchandani a professor of?
  3. What kind of women do mosquitoes like?
  4. What kind of skin do mosquitoes like?
  5. Which blood group do mosquitoes find the tastiest?
  6. How many different species of mosquito are there?
  7. What do female mosquitoes need blood for?
  8. What can mosquito bites do (besides swell up).
  9. What should people use day and night?
  10. What can people sleep under to cut the risks of being bitten?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What website found out some answers about mosquitoes?
a) CNN
b) Mosquito.com
c) Medical News Today
d) www.mosquito.bite
2) What is Dr Jagdish Khubchandani a professor of?
a) public health
b) a mosquito expert
c) diseases
d) viruses
3) What kind of women do mosquitoes like?
a) older women
b) pregnant women
c) tall women
d) younger women
4) What kind of skin do mosquitoes like?
a) chicken skin
b) leathery skin
c) wrinkled skin
d) darker skin
5) Which blood group do mosquitoes find the tastiest?
a) A
b) B
c) O
d) Z

6) How many different species of mosquito are there?
a) exactly 3,500
b) over 3,500
c) just fewer than 3,500
d) around 3,500
7) What do female mosquitoes need blood for?
a) their bites
b) to fly
c) to fight disease
d) their eggs
8) What can mosquito bites do (besides swell up).
a) spread
b) itch
c) hurt
d) throb
9) What should people use day and night?
a) a light
b) insect repellent
c) a death bat
d) a newspaper
10) What can people sleep under to cut the risks of being bitten?
a) a mosquito net
b) the stars
c) a neon light
d) a thick blanket

Role play

Role  A – Mosquitoes
You think mosquitoes are the worst insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): moths, slugs or stink bugs.

Role  B – Moths
You think moths are the worst insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): mosquitoes, slugs or stink bugs.

Role  C – Slugs
You think slugs are the worst insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): moths, mosquitoes or stink bugs.

Role  D – Sting Bugs
You think stink bugs are the worst insects. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their insects aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): moths, slugs or mosquitoes.

After reading / listening

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

'mosquito'

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

    • and 'bite'.

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

    • • 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:

    • answers
    • parts
    • things
    • women
    • factor
    • O
    • worldwide
    • blood
    • itchy
    • among
    • idea
    • reduce

    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 - Mosquito Bites

    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 'mosquito'?
    3. What do you think of mosquitoes?
    4. How do you feel when a mosquito buzzes around your ear?
    5. Why do mosquitoes like some people more than others?
    6. What do you do when a mosquito bites you?
    7. What is the purpose of mosquitoes?
    8. What three adjectives best describe mosquitoes?
    9. What do you now about mosquitoes?
    10. Why does blood group change the taste of blood?

    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 'bite'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of there being 3,500 species of mosquitoes?
    5. How annoying are mosquitoes?
    6. Are mosquitoes useful in any way?
    7. What do you do when a mosquito bite itches?
    8. What do you know about malaria?
    9. What do you think of insect repellent?
    10. What questions would you like to ask a mosquito expert?

    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)

    Why are some people bitten by mosquitoes more than (1) ____ people? A website has discovered some answers to this question. Researchers from the site Medical News Today (MNT) looked into what (2) ____ of us mosquitoes like. They found out some interesting things. A professor of public health, Dr Jagdish Khubchandani, told MNT what he (3) ____ mosquitoes liked. He said: "Studies suggest that pregnant women, people with high body temperature and (4) ____...and those with darker skin could be [bigger targets]." Blood type could (5) ____ another factor. Studies found that mosquitoes are not so (6) ____ to people with blood group A. However, they find people with blood group O a little tastier.

    Medical News Today reported that there are over 3,500 species (7) ____ mosquitoes worldwide. Only a fraction of these bite people. Only the females of the species bite. They need blood to provide protein (8) ____ their eggs. Mosquito bites are an annoyance for most people. The bite becomes (9) ____ and can swell. However, millions of people have died from the diseases mosquitoes spread. These include malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow fever and Zika, (10) ____ others. To avoid getting bitten, it is best to cover your (11) ____ with clothing. It is also a good idea to use insect repellent (day and night, indoors and outdoors) on any exposed skin. Sleeping under a mosquito net can also reduce the chances of (12) ____ bitten.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    (a)     other     (b)     others     (c)     the others     (d)     another    
    (a)     pert     (b)     ports     (c)     parts     (d)     port    
    (a)     thoughts     (b)     thinking     (c)     thought     (d)     think    
    (a)     swift     (b)     swathe     (c)     sweet     (d)     sweat    
    (a)     be     (b)     do     (c)     have     (d)     bite    
    (a)     attract     (b)     attracted     (c)     attraction     (d)     attractive    
    (a)     by     (b)     at     (c)     on     (d)     of    
    (a)     for     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    (a)     itches     (b)     itch     (c)     itchy     (d)     itching    
    (a)     simply     (b)     gathered     (c)     between     (d)     among    
    (a)     costs     (b)     share     (c)     bites     (d)     skin    
    (a)     been     (b)     being     (c)     is     (d)     be

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. A sroeorfps of public health
    2. nargtepn women
    3. people with high body eetrarutepm
    4. those with darker skin could be bigger tegtras
    5. mosquitoes are not so tdtcreata
    6. people with dolob group A

    Paragraph 2

    1. 3,500 peiscse of mosquitoes
    2. Only a facitron of these bite people
    3. provide rpintoe for their eggs
    4. Mosquito bites are an cennnyaoa
    5. aivdo getting bitten
    6. a good idea to use insect eptrnelle

    Put the text back together

    (...)  thought mosquitoes liked. He said: "Studies suggest that pregnant women, people with high body
    (...)  of these bite people. Only the females of the species bite. They need blood to provide protein for their
    (...)  group A. However, they find people with blood group O a little tastier.
    (..1 .) Why are some people bitten by mosquitoes more than other people? A website has
    (...)  died from the diseases mosquitoes spread. These include malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, yellow
    (...)  temperature and sweat...and those with darker skin could be [bigger targets]." Blood
    (...)  eggs. Mosquito bites are an annoyance for most people. The bite becomes itchy and can swell. However, millions of people have
    (...)  Medical News Today reported that there are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide. Only a fraction
    (...)  type could be another factor. Studies found that mosquitoes are not so attracted to people with blood
    (...)  of us mosquitoes like. They found out some interesting things. A professor of public health, Dr Jagdish Khubchandani, told MNT what he
    (...)  fever and Zika, among others. To avoid getting bitten, it is best to cover your skin
    (...)  discovered some answers to this question. Researchers from the site Medical News Today (MNT) looked into what parts
    (...)  outdoors) on any exposed skin. Sleeping under a mosquito net can also reduce the chances of being bitten.
    (...)  with clothing. It is also a good idea to use insect repellent (day and night, indoors and

    Put the words in the right order

    1. by   Some   people   than   more   others   .   mosquitoes   bitten
    2. answers   question   .   discovered   website   this   A   to   some
    3. parts   like   .   Researchers   mosquitoes   looked   into   what
    4. darker   with   be   could   Those   skin   bigger   targets   .
    5. so   to   Not   with   people   attracted   blood   group   A   .
    6. are   over   3,500   species   of   There   mosquitoes   worldwide   .
    7. the   of   females   Only   the   species   bite   .
    8. bites   are   an   annoyance   for   Mosquito   most   people   .
    9. have   the   from   died   diseases   People   mosquitoes   spread   .
    10. mosquito   can   A   reduce   also   net   the   chances   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Why are some people biting / bitten by mosquitoes more than other people? A website has discovered some answers to these / this question. Researchers from the site / sight Medical News Today (MNT) looked into what parts of them / us mosquitoes like. They found out some interesting things. A professor of public health / healthy,  Dr Jagdish Khubchandani, told MNT what he thought mosquitoes liked. He said: "Studies suggestion / suggest that pregnant women, people with high body / bodies temperature and sweat...and those with darker skin / skinny could be [bigger targets]." Blood type could be another factory / factor. Studies found that mosquitoes are not so attracted to people with blood group A. However, they eat / find people with blood group O a little tastier.

    Medical News Today reported that there are more / over 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide. Only a friction / fraction of these bite people. Only the females of the species / specials bite. They need blood to provide protein for their eggs / egg. Mosquito bites are an annoyance / annoy for most people. The bite becomes itchy and can well / swell. However, millions of people have died from the diseases mosquitoes spread. These include malaria, dengue fever, West Nile viral / virus, yellow fever and Zika, between / among others. To avoid getting bitten, it is best to cover your skin with clothing. It is also a good idea to use / abuse insect repellent (day and night, indoors and outdoors) on any exposed skin. Sleeping under a mosquito net can also reduce the chances of been / being bitten.

    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)

    Why  _r_  s_m_  p__pl_  b_tt_n  by  m_sq__t__s  m_r_  th_n  _th_r  p__pl_?  _  w_bs_t_  h_s  d_sc_v_r_d  s_m_  _nsw_rs  t_  th_s  q__st__n.  R_s__rch_rs  fr_m  th_  s_t_  M_d_c_l  N_ws  T_d_y  (MNT)  l__k_d  _nt_  wh_t  p_rts  _f  _s  m_sq__t__s  l_k_.  Th_y  f__nd  __t  s_m_  _nt_r_st_ng  th_ngs.  _  pr_f_ss_r  _f  p_bl_c  h__lth,    Dr  J_gd_sh  Kh_bch_nd_n_,  t_ld  MNT  wh_t  h_  th__ght  m_sq__t__s  l_k_d.  H_  s__d:  "St_d__s  s_gg_st  th_t  pr_gn_nt  w_m_n,  p__pl_  w_th  h_gh  b_dy  t_mp_r_t_r_  _nd  sw__t..._nd  th_s_  w_th  d_rk_r  sk_n  c__ld  b_  [b_gg_r  t_rg_ts]."  Bl__d  typ_  c__ld  b_  _n_th_r  f_ct_r.  St_d__s  f__nd  th_t  m_sq__t__s  _r_  n_t  s_  _ttr_ct_d  t_  p__pl_  w_th  bl__d  gr__p  _.  H_w_v_r,  th_y  f_nd  p__pl_  w_th  bl__d  gr__p  _  _  l_ttl_  t_st__r.

    M_d_c_l  N_ws  T_d_y  r_p_rt_d  th_t  th_r_  _r_  _v_r  3,500  sp_c__s  _f  m_sq__t__s  w_rldw_d_.  _nly  _  fr_ct__n  _f  th_s_  b_t_  p__pl_.  _nly  th_  f_m_l_s  _f  th_  sp_c__s  b_t_.  Th_y  n__d  bl__d  t_  pr_v_d_  pr_t__n  f_r  th__r  _ggs.  M_sq__t_  b_t_s  _r_  _n  _nn_y_nc_  f_r  m_st  p__pl_.  Th_  b_t_  b_c_m_s  _tchy  _nd  c_n  sw_ll.  H_w_v_r,  m_ll__ns  _f  p__pl_  h_v_  d__d  fr_m  th_  d_s__s_s  m_sq__t__s  spr__d.  Th_s_  _ncl_d_  m_l_r__,  d_ng__  f_v_r,  W_st  N_l_  v_r_s,  y_ll_w  f_v_r  _nd  Z_k_,  _m_ng  _th_rs.  T_  _v__d  g_tt_ng  b_tt_n,  _t  _s  b_st  t_  c_v_r  y__r  sk_n  w_th  cl_th_ng.  _t  _s  _ls_  _  g__d  _d__  t_  _s_  _ns_ct  r_p_ll_nt  (d_y  _nd  n_ght,  _nd__rs  _nd  __td__rs)  _n  _ny  _xp_s_d  sk_n.  Sl__p_ng  _nd_r  _  m_sq__t_  n_t  c_n  _ls_  r_d_c_  th_  ch_nc_s  _f  b__ng  b_tt_n.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    why are some people bitten by mosquitoes more than other people a website has discovered some answers to this question researchers from the site medical news today mnt looked into what parts of us mosquitoes like they found out some interesting things a professor of public health  dr jagdish khubchandani told mnt what he thought mosquitoes liked he said studies suggest that pregnant women people with high body temperature and sweat and those with darker skin could be bigger targets blood type could be another factor studies found that mosquitoes are not so attracted to people with blood group a however they find people with blood group o a little tastier

    medical news today reported that there are over 3500 species of mosquitoes worldwide only a fraction of these bite people only the females of the species bite they need blood to provide protein for their eggs mosquito bites are an annoyance for most people the bite becomes itchy and can swell however millions of people have died from the diseases mosquitoes spread these include malaria dengue fever west nile virus yellow fever and zika among others to avoid getting bitten it is best to cover your skin with clothing it is also a good idea to use insect repellent day and night indoors and outdoors on any exposed skin sleeping under a mosquito net can also reduce the chances of being bitten

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Whyaresomepeoplebittenbymosquitoesmorethanotherpeople?Awe
    bsitehasdiscoveredsomeanswerstothisquestion.Researchersfromth
    esiteMedicalNewsToday(MNT)lookedintowhatpartsofusmosquitoesl
    ike.Theyfoundoutsomeinterestingthings.Aprofessorofpublichealth,
    DrJagdishKhubchandani,toldMNTwhathethoughtmosquitoesliked.H
    esaid:"Studiessuggestthatpregnantwomen,peoplewithhighbodyte
    mperatureandsweat...andthosewithdarkerskincouldbe[biggertarge
    ts]."Bloodtypecouldbeanotherfactor.Studiesfoundthatmosquitoesa
    renotsoattractedtopeoplewithbloodgroupA.However,theyfindpeopl
    ewithbloodgroupOalittletastier.MedicalNewsTodayreportedthatther
    eareover3,500speciesofmosquitoesworldwide.Onlyafractionofthes
    ebitepeople.Onlythefemalesofthespeciesbite.Theyneedbloodtoprov
    ideproteinfortheireggs.Mosquitobitesareanannoyanceformostpeopl
    e.Thebitebecomesitchyandcanswell.However,millionsofpeoplehave
    diedfromthediseasesthatmosquitoesspread.Theseincludemalaria,d
    enguefever,WestNilevirus,yellowfeverandZika,amongothers.Toavo
    idgettingbitten,itisbesttocoveryourskinwithclothing.Itisalsoagoodid
    eatouseinsectrepellent(dayandnight,indoorsandoutdoors)onanyex
    posedskin.Sleepingunderamosquitonetcanalsoreducethechancesof
    beingbitten.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    We should never kill a mosquito because it's part of nature.  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. MOSQUITO BITES: Make a poster about mosquito bites. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. KILLING: Write a magazine article about governments spending money on killing all mosquitoes. 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 mosquito bites. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to deal with mosquito bites. 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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