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Spicy food linked to higher testosterone levels (17th December, 2014)

The Reading / Listening - Level 6

Scientists in France say they have found a link between eating spicy food and high levels of testosterone in men. Testosterone is a hormone and steroid that is found in male and female bodies that is responsible for sexual development. Men generally produce it at a 20 times greater rate than women. It is usually a sign of male bravado and masculinity. Men with higher levels of testosterone are commonly seen as being more sexually active, arrogant, brave and bigger risk takers. Report co-author Laurent Begue said the findings of his study were "in line with a lot of research showing a link between testosterone and financial, sexual and behavioural risk-taking".

Professor Begue's study looked at the degree to which 114 men aged between 18 and 44 liked spicy food. The men were asked to add a hot pepper sauce to a dish of mashed potatoes. They then had to evaluate the spiciness of what they ate. The researchers tested the saliva of the men and found that those who put more pepper sauce on their potatoes were the ones with higher levels of testosterone. Britain's health service website nhs.uk said the study was too small to prove a definite link between spice and testosterone. It said many other things could influence a preference for spicy food. These include genetic, cultural and psychological factors.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Level 4 or Level 5

Sources

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/men-who-like-spicier-foods-have-higher-levels-of-testosterone-9926423.html
http://www.nhs.uk/news/2014/12December/Pages/Spicy-food-curries-favour-with-alpha-males.aspx
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testosterone

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. SPICY FOOD: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about spicy food. 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?

scientists / spicy food / testosterone / masculinity / risk takers / findings / research / study / hot pepper sauce / saliva / health service / preference / genetic / cultural

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

3. LINKS: What are these things linked to regarding our health? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Linked to…	Advice to people about these (and why)
Spices
Milk
Spinach
Oranges
Liver
Sugar

4. SPICY: Students A strongly believe all food should be spicy; 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. FOOD: Rank these with your partner. Put the most delicious at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

• French fries

• rice and curry

• egg sandwich

• sushi

• chilli con carne

• pizza

• garlic bread

• green salad

6. MEN: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "men". 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.	The scientists who conducted this study were in Switzerland.	T / F
b.	Men produce as much as 20 times more testosterone than women.	T / F
c.	Testosterone is linked to men taking more risks in life.	T / F
d.	A report author said the findings confirmed other research in this area.	T / F
e.	A study looked at how 114 men and women perceived spicy food.	T / F
f.	Researchers tested the saliva of men to find a testosterone-spice link.	T / F
g.	Britain's health service said the findings showed a definite link.	T / F
h.	The health service said only a few things made men eat spicy food.	T / F

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

1.	link	a.	accountable
2.	responsible	b.	assess
3.	generally	c.	boldness
4.	bravado	d.	level
5.	findings	e.	show
6.	degree	f.	connection
7.	evaluate	g.	considerations
8.	prove	h.	conclusions
9.	definite	i.	usually
10.	factors	j.	exact

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

1.	high levels of testosterone	a.	greater rate
2.	Testosterone is a hormone	b.	prove a definite link
3.	Men generally produce it at a 20 times	c.	with a lot of research
4.	a sign of male bravado and	d.	of mashed potatoes
5.	the findings of his study were in line	e.	and steroid
6.	add a hot pepper sauce to a dish	f.	of testosterone
7.	evaluate the spiciness	g.	in men
8.	the ones with higher levels	h.	for spicy food
9.	the study was too small to	i.	of what they ate
10.	other things could influence a preference	j.	masculinity

GAP FILL

Scientists in France say they have found a (1) ____________ between eating spicy food and high (2) ____________ of testosterone in men. Testosterone is a hormone and steroid that is found in male and female bodies that is responsible for (3) ____________ development. Men generally produce it at a 20 times greater rate than women. It is usually a (4) ____________ of male bravado and masculinity. Men with higher levels of testosterone are (5) ____________ seen as being more sexually active, arrogant, brave and bigger risk takers. Report co-author Laurent Begue said the (6) ____________ of his study were "in line with a lot of research (7) ____________ a link between testosterone and financial, sexual and behavioural risk-(8) ____________ ".

sign
link
showing
commonly
sexual
taking
levels
findings

Professor Begue's study looked at the (9) ____________ to which 114 men aged between 18 and 44 liked spicy food. The men were asked to add a hot pepper sauce to a (10) ____________ of mashed potatoes. They then had to (11) ____________ the spiciness of what they ate. The researchers tested the (12) ____________ of the men and found that those who put more pepper sauce on their potatoes were the (13) ____________ with higher levels of testosterone. Britain's health service website nhs.uk said the study was too small to (14) ____________ a definite link between spice and testosterone. It said many other things could (15) ____________ a preference for spicy food. These include (16) ____________, cultural and psychological factors.

dish
saliva
prove
degree
genetic
evaluate
influence
ones

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)	a link between eating spicy food and high ______ testosterone
	a. level of b. levels of c. levelled of d. levellers of
2)	Men generally produce it at a 20 times greater ______
	a. rate for women b. rate them women c. rate than women d. rate of women
3)	Men with higher levels of testosterone are commonly seen as being ______
	a. more sexually activate b. more sexually actively c. more sexually activeness d. more sexually active
4)	Report co-author Laurent Begue said the findings of his study were _______ lot of research
	a. in line within a b. in line without a c. in line wither a d. in line with a
5)	a link between testosterone and financial, sexual and ______
	a. behavioural risk-giving b. behavioural risk-faking c. behavioural risk-taking d. behavioural risk-making
6)	______ 114 men aged between 18 and 44 liked spicy food
	a. the degree to which b. the degree of which c. the degree at which d. the degree on which
7)	The men were asked to add a hot pepper sauce ______ mashed potatoes
	a. to a fish of b. to a dish of c. to a wish of d. to a relish of
8)	Britain's health service website nhs.uk said the study was too small to ______ link
	a. prove a definitive b. prove a definitely c. prove a definite d. prove a definites
9)	It said many other things could influence a ______ spicy food
	a. preference for b. preferable for c. preferring for d. prefer ants for
10)	These include genetic, cultural and ______
	a. psychologically factors b. psychological factors c. psycho-logic all factors d. psychological factors

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists in France say they (1) ___________________ between eating spicy food and high levels of testosterone in men. Testosterone is a hormone (2) ___________________ found in male and female bodies that is responsible for sexual development. Men (3) ___________________ at a 20 times greater rate than women. It is (4) ___________________ male bravado and masculinity. Men with higher levels of testosterone are commonly seen as (5) ___________________ active, arrogant, brave and bigger risk takers. Report co-author Laurent Begue said the findings of his study were "in line with a lot of (6) ___________________ link between testosterone and financial, sexual and behavioural risk-taking".

Professor Begue's study looked (7) ___________________ which 114 men aged between 18 and 44 liked spicy food. The men (8) ___________________ a hot pepper sauce to a dish of mashed potatoes. They then (9) ___________________ the spiciness of what they ate. The researchers tested the saliva of the men and found that those who put more pepper sauce on their potatoes were (10) ___________________ levels of testosterone. Britain's health service website nhs.uk said the study was too small to (11) ___________________ between spice and testosterone. It said many other things could influence a preference for spicy food. These include genetic, cultural and (12) ___________________.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.	Where were the scientists who found the link?
2.	Where is testosterone found?
3.	How many more times can a man's body produce testosterone?
4.	Who is Laurent Begue?
5.	What kind of risk-taking is mentioned besides sexual and financial?
6.	What were the ages of the men who participated in the study?
7.	What did the men have to evaluate?
8.	What did the researchers test in the men's mouths?
9.	What organization said the study was too small to prove anything?
10.	What things besides cultural and genetic factors make us like spices?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.	Where were the scientists who found the link?	6.	What were the ages of the men who participated in the study?
	a) Germany b) France c) Spain d) Italy		a) 18-84 b) 18-64 c) 18-44 d) 18-24
2.	Where is testosterone found?	7.	What did the men have to evaluate?
	a) saliva b) in the left knee c) in pharmacies d) the male and female body		a) masculinity b) spices c) testosterone levels d) spiciness
3.	How many more times can a man's body produce testosterone?	8.	What did the researchers test in the men's mouths?
	a) 20 b) 30 c) 40 d) 50		a) saliva b) chilli c) teeth d) bacteria
4.	Who is Laurent Begue?	9.	What organization said the study was too small to prove anything?
	a) curry chef of the year, 2012 b) a saliva expert c) a co-author of the report d) the world-record testosterone holder		a) Britain's health service b) the World Curry Foundation c) Testosterone Anonymous d) the WHO
5.	What kind of risk-taking is mentioned besides sexual and financial?	10.	What things besides cultural and genetic factors make us like spices?
	a) hypothetical b) behavioural c) educational d) physical		a) smells b) psychological factors c) restaurants d) cooking shows on TV

ROLE PLAY

Role A – French fries

You think French fries are the best food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food isn't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): egg sandwiches, rice and curry or green salad.

Role B – Egg sandwiches

You think egg sandwiches are the best food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food isn't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): French fries, rice and curry or green salad.

Role C – Rice and curry

You think rice and curry is the best food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food isn't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): egg sandwiches, French fries or green salad.

Role D – Green salad

You think green salad is the best food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food isn't so good. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): egg sandwiches, rice and curry or French fries.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

spicy

food

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:

say
steroid
generally
sign
commonly
line

degree
asked
ate
ones
small
include

SPICY FOOD SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about spicy food 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.

SPICY FOOD 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 'spicy'?
3)	How can food change people's personality?
4)	What do you think of spicy food?
5)	What do you think spicy food does to women?
6)	Is it important for a man to be very masculine?
7)	What risks have you taken in your life?
8)	Would you eat more spicy food if it made you braver?
9)	Is risk-taking good or bad? Why?
10)	What are your favourite spices (and why)?

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

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

11)	Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
12)	Why isn't all food spicy?
13)	Is mashed potato better with or without spice?
14)	Which country has the best spiciest food?
15)	Is too mush testosterone in a man dangerous?
16)	What spices are good for our health?
17)	Does this study mean Thai, Mexican and Indian men are the most masculine?
18)	Is there any food that should not have some spice in it?
19)	What other things are spices good for?
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

Scientists in France say they have found a link (1) ____ eating spicy food and high levels of testosterone in men. Testosterone is a hormone and steroid that (2) ____ found in male and female bodies that is responsible (3) ____ sexual development. Men generally produce it at a 20 times greater rate than women. It is usually a sign of male bravado and (4) ____. Men with higher levels of testosterone are commonly (5) ____ as being more sexually active, arrogant, brave and bigger risk takers. Report co-author Laurent Begue said the findings of his study were "in line with a lot of research showing a link between testosterone and financial, sexual and behavioural risk-(6) ____".

Professor Begue's study looked at the (7) ____ to which 114 men aged between 18 and 44 liked spicy food. The men were asked to add a hot pepper sauce to a (8) ____ of mashed potatoes. They then had to evaluate the spiciness of what they ate. The researchers tested the saliva of the men and found that those who put more pepper sauce on their potatoes were the (9) ____ with higher levels of testosterone. Britain's health service website nhs.uk said the study was too small to (10) ____ a definite link between spice and testosterone. It said many other things could (11) ____ a preference for spicy food. These include (12) ____, cultural and psychological factors.

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

1.	(a)	among	(b)	from	(c)	between	(d)	in
2.	(a)	is	(b)	can	(c)	are	(d)	be
3.	(a)	for	(b)	of	(c)	to	(d)	from
4.	(a)	masculinity	(b)	muscly	(c)	masculine	(d)	muscled
5.	(a)	watched	(b)	seen	(c)	viewed	(d)	looked
6.	(a)	take	(b)	taken	(c)	taker	(d)	taking
7.	(a)	review	(b)	channel	(c)	degree	(d)	ratio
8.	(a)	wash	(b)	lash	(c)	rush	(d)	dish
9.	(a)	ones	(b)	onus	(c)	once	(d)	onesie
10.	(a)	proving	(b)	prove	(c)	proof	(d)	proven
11.	(a)	exert	(b)	influence	(c)	exacerbate	(d)	inflame
12.	(a)	generic	(b)	genesis	(c)	genetic	(d)	generally

SPELLING

Paragraph 1
1.	Testosterone is a enmhroo and steroid
2.	leeipsnrsbo for sexual development
3.	Men rnylaleeg produce it
4.	a sign of male bravado and icuasymitln
5.	rotaragn, brave and bigger risk takers
6.	sexual and oaelruhvabi risk-taking
Paragraph 2
7.	the eerdge to which 114 men aged…
8.	a hot pepper secua
9.	ateluave the spiciness of what they ate
10.	a itefiedn link
11.	a frrcnepeee for spicy food
12.	aicolspcyoghl factors

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

( )	greater rate than women. It is usually a sign of male bravado and masculinity. Men with higher levels of testosterone
( )	of testosterone in men. Testosterone is a hormone and steroid that is found in male and female
( )	had to evaluate the spiciness of what they ate. The researchers tested the saliva
( )	could influence a preference for spicy food. These include genetic, cultural and psychological factors.
( )	are commonly seen as being more sexually active, arrogant, brave and bigger risk
( )	levels of testosterone. Britain's health service website nhs.uk said the study was too
( )	takers. Report co-author Laurent Begue said the findings of his study were "in line
( 1 )	Scientists in France say they have found a link between eating spicy food and high levels
( )	liked spicy food. The men were asked to add a hot pepper sauce to a dish of mashed potatoes. They then
( )	small to prove a definite link between spice and testosterone. It said many other things
( )	bodies that is responsible for sexual development. Men generally produce it at a 20 times
( )	of the men and found that those who put more pepper sauce on their potatoes were the ones with higher
( )	Professor Begue's study looked at the degree to which 114 men aged between 18 and 44
( )	with a lot of research showing a link between testosterone and financial, sexual and behavioural risk-taking".

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.	say found France have link in they a Scientists .
2.	times Men it 20 rate produce a greater generally at .
3.	usually bravado a sign It of is male .
4.	being as seen Commonly active sexually more .
5.	in findings lot were The a study with his research line of of .
6.	pepper hot a Add potatoes mashed of dish a to sauce .
7.	to had then They ate they what of spiciness the evaluate .
8.	saliva The of researchers the tested men the .
9.	study was too small to prove a definite link The .
10.	many could preference said things a It other influence .

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Scientists in France say they have found a link / linking between eating spicy food and high levels of testosterone in men. Testosterone is a hormonal / hormone and steroid that is found in / on male and female bodies that is responsible for sexual development. Men generally produce it / them at a 20 times greater rate than women. It is usually a sign of male brave / bravado and masculinity. Men with higher levels of testosterone are commonly / common seen as being more sexually active / actively, arrogant, brave and bigger risk takers. Report co-author Laurent Begue said the founds / findings of his study were "in line / straight with a lot of research showing a link between / among testosterone and financial, sexual and behavioural risk-taking".

Professor Begue's study looked at / up the degree to which 114 men aged between 18 and 44 liking / liked spicy food. The men were asked to addition / add a hot pepper sauce to a dish / dash of mashed potatoes. They then had to evaluate the spicy / spiciness of what they ate. The researchers tested the saliva / salivates of the men and found that those who put more pepper sauce on their potatoes were the only / ones with higher levels of testosterone. Britain's health service website nhs.uk said the studious / study was too small to prove a definite / finite link between spice and testosterone. It said many other things could influence a preference for spicy food. These include genetic, cultural / culturally and psychological factors.

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)

Sc__nt_sts _n Fr_nc_ s_y th_y h_v_ f__nd _ l_nk b_tw__n __t_ng sp_cy f__d _nd h_gh l_v_ls _f t_st_st_r_n_ _n m_n. T_st_st_r_n_ _s _ h_rm_n_ _nd st_r__d th_t _s f__nd _n m_l_ _nd f_m_l_ b_d__s th_t _s r_sp_ns_bl_ f_r s_x__l d_v_l_pm_nt. M_n g_n_r_lly pr_d_c_ _t _t _ 20 t_m_s gr__t_r r_t_ th_n w_m_n. _t _s _s__lly _ s_gn _f m_l_ br_v_d_ _nd m_sc_l_n_ty. M_n w_th h_gh_r l_v_ls _f t_st_st_r_n_ _r_ c_mm_nly s__n _s b__ng m_r_ s_x__lly _ct_v_, _rr_g_nt, br_v_ _nd b_gg_r r_sk t_k_rs. R_p_rt c_-__th_r L__r_nt B_g__ s__d th_ f_nd_ngs _f h_s st_dy w_r_ "_n l_n_ w_th _ l_t _f r_s__rch sh_w_ng _ l_nk b_tw__n t_st_st_r_n_ _nd f_n_nc__l, s_x__l _nd b_h_v___r_l r_sk-t_k_ng".

Pr_f_ss_r B_g__'s st_dy l__k_d _t th_ d_gr__ t_ wh_ch 114 m_n _g_d b_tw__n 18 _nd 44 l_k_d sp_cy f__d. Th_ m_n w_r_ _sk_d t_ _dd _ h_t p_pp_r s__c_ t_ _ d_sh _f m_sh_d p_t_t__s. Th_y th_n h_d t_ _v_l__t_ th_ sp_c_n_ss _f wh_t th_y _t_. Th_ r_s__rch_rs t_st_d th_ s_l_v_ _f th_ m_n _nd f__nd th_t th_s_ wh_ p_t m_r_ p_pp_r s__c_ _n th__r p_t_t__s w_r_ th_ _n_s w_th h_gh_r l_v_ls _f t_st_st_r_n_. Br_t__n's h__lth s_rv_c_ w_bs_t_ nhs._k s__d th_ st_dy w_s t__ sm_ll t_ pr_v_ _ d_f_n_t_ l_nk b_tw__n sp_c_ _nd t_st_st_r_n_. _t s__d m_ny _th_r th_ngs c__ld _nfl__nc_ _ pr_f_r_nc_ f_r sp_cy f__d. Th_s_ _ncl_d_ g_n_t_c, c_lt_r_l _nd psych_l_g_c_l f_ct_rs.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

scientists in france say they have found a link between eating spicy food and high levels of testosterone in men testosterone is a hormone and steroid that is found in male and female bodies that is responsible for sexual development men generally produce it at a 20 times greater rate than women it is usually a sign of male bravado and masculinity men with higher levels of testosterone are commonly seen as being more sexually active arrogant brave and bigger risk takers report co-author laurent begue said the findings of his study were "in line with a lot of research showing a link between testosterone and financial sexual and behavioural risk-taking"

professor begue's study looked at the degree to which 114 men aged between 18 and 44 liked spicy food the men were asked to add a hot pepper sauce to a dish of mashed potatoes they then had to evaluate the spiciness of what they ate the researchers tested the saliva of the men and found that those who put more pepper sauce on their potatoes were the ones with higher levels of testosterone britain's health service website nhsuk said the study was too small to prove a definite link between spice and testosterone it said many other things could influence a preference for spicy food these include genetic cultural and psychological factors

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ScientistsinFrancesaytheyhavefoundalinkbetweeneatingspicyfooda
ndhighlevelsoftestosteroneinmen.Testosteroneisahormoneandster
oidthatisfoundinmaleandfemalebodiesthatisresponsibleforsexualde
velopment.Mengenerallyproduceitata20timesgreaterratethanwom
en.Itisusuallyasignofmalebravadoandmasculinity.Menwithhigherle
velsoftestosteronearecommonlyseenasbeingmoresexuallyactive,ar
rogant,braveandbiggerrisktakers.Reportco-authorLaurentBeg
uesaidthefindingsofhisstudywere"inlinewithalotofresearchshowing
alinkbetweentestosteroneandfinancial,sexualandbehaviouralrisk-
taking".ProfessorBegue'sstudylookedatthedegreetowhich114mena
gedbetween18and44likedspicyfood.Themenwereaskedtoaddahotp
eppersaucetoadishofmashedpotatoes.Theythenhadtoevaluatethes
picinessofwhattheyate.Theresearcherstestedthesalivaofthemenan
dfoundthatthosewhoputmorepeppersauceontheirpotatoeswerethe
oneswithhigherlevelsoftestosterone.Britain'shealthservicewebsiten
hs.uksaidthestudywastoosmalltoproveadefinitelinkbetweenspicean
dtestosterone.Itsaidmanyotherthingscouldinfluenceapreferencefor
spicyfood.Theseincludegenetic,culturalandpsychologicalfactors.

FREE WRITING

Write about spicy food for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

ACADEMIC WRITING

Spicy food is much better than food with no spices. 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 spicy food. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

4. SPICY FOOD: Write a magazine article about the link between spicy food and testosterone levels. Include imaginary interviews with people who agree and disagree with 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 spicy food. Ask him/her three questions about spicy food. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to make more people eat more of it. 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

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ANSWERS

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

T

e

F

f

T

g

F

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.	link	a.	connection
2.	responsible	b.	accountable
3.	generally	c.	usually
4.	bravado	d.	boldness
5.	findings	e.	conclusions
6.	degree	f.	level
7.	evaluate	g.	assess
8.	prove	h.	show
9.	definite	i.	exact
10.	factors	j.	considerations

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.	In France
2.	In the male and female body
3.	20
4.	A co-author of the report
5.	Behavioural
6.	18-44
7.	The spiciness of mashed potatoes
8.	Saliva
9.	Britain's health service
10.	Psychological factors

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

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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Spicy food linked to higher testosterone levels (17th December, 2014)

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