The Reading / Listening - Eye Damage - Level 3

Scientists are warning that people who smoke are in danger of damaging their eyes. The scientists say smokers are two times more likely to lose their vision than non-smokers. Everyone knows that smoking can damage the lungs and heart, but not many people know it could damage the eyesight. The scientists are from the Association of Optometrists (AOP) in the United Kingdom. The AOP has started a campaign to raise awareness of the danger of smoking to the eyes. The campaign is called "Stub it out". The word "stub" means put out a cigarette by pushing the end against something hard; "stub it out" is saying, "stop smoking". The AOP said only one in five people thinks smoking can damage the eyes.

The AOP explained why smoking is so harmful to the eyes. Cigarette smoke gets in the eyes and causes or worsens a number of different eye problems. Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can irritate and damage the eyes. Smoke contains tiny pieces of metals like lead and copper. These can get into the eyes and lead to cataracts - a condition that causes the eye lens to become cloudy. People with cataracts usually need an operation to restore their sight. Smoke can also increase the chance of worsening sight problems for people with diabetes. The AOP said smokers are also three times more likely to damage the eyes' muscles. The AOP has encouraged smokers to quit.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Eye Damage - Level 0,  Eye Damage - Level 1   or  Eye Damage - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.dentistry.co.uk/2019/07/02/smoking-significantly-increases-risk-developing-eye-disease/
  • https://www.bbc.com/news/health-48824720
  • https://www.aop.org.uk/advice-and-support/for-patients/eye-conditions/smoking-and-eye-health


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. EYE DAMAGE: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about eye damage. 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 / smoke / smokers / lungs / heart / eyesight / campaign / cigarette / eyes /
       harmful / toxic chemicals / metal / cataracts / cloudy / operation / chance / diabetes
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. BANNED: Students A strongly believe smoking should be banned worldwide; Students B strongly believe it shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. BAD HABITS: How can people quit their bad habits? How difficult is it? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

How To Quit

How Difficult It Is

Smoking

 

 

Being late

 

 

Nail biting

 

 

Junk food

 

 

Smartphone overuse

 

 

Overspending

 

 
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. VISION: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "vision". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. BAD FOR OUR EYES: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst things for our eyes at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • rubbing your eyes
  • smartphone use
  • poor diet
  • reading by torchlight
  • smoke
  • sunlight
  • not enough sleep
  • TV screens

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. warning a. Hurting or harming.
      2. damaging b. An organized course of action to achieve a particular goal.
      3. likely c. The ability of being able to see; eyesight.
      4. vision d. Might happen or be true; probable.
      5. campaign e. Telling someone that something bad, harmful or dangerous is coming.
      6. awareness f. Put out a lighted cigarette by pressing the lighted end against something.
      7. stub g. Knowledge or understanding of a situation or fact.

    Paragraph 2

      8. worsen h. An action of doctors cutting the body open to repair.
      9. irritate i. Make or become less good.
      10. tiny j. A medical problem; a problem or illness in the body.
      11. lead k. Gave support, confidence, or hope to someone.
      12. condition l. Very, very, very small.
      13. operation m. Cause or create.
      14. encouraged n. Cause discomfort or pain in a part of the body.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Smokers are twice as likely of damaging their eyes as non-smokers.    T / F
  2. The article says not many people know smoke can damage eyesight.     T / F
  3. A campaign to get people to quit smoking is called "Stab It Out".     T / F
  4. Just one in five people thinks that smoking causes eye damage.     T / F
  5. Smoke worsens existing eye problems.     T / F
  6. The article says smoke contains metals such as iron and silver.     T / F
  7. The article says there is not cure for cataracts.     T / F
  8. Smokers are ten times likelier to damage eye muscles.     T / F

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

  1. warning
  2. damaging
  3. campaign
  4. awareness
  5. stop
  6. worsens
  7. toxic
  8. pieces
  9. cloudy
  10. encouraged
  1. poisonous
  2. understanding
  3. urged
  4. harming
  5. adds to
  6. cautioning
  7. bits
  8. misty
  9. drive
  10. quit

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

  1. smokers are two times more likely
  2. smoking can damage the
  3. a campaign to raise
  4. "stub" means put
  5. only one
  6. The AOP explained why smoking
  7. Cigarette smoke
  8. People with cataracts usually need
  9. increase the chance of worsening
  10. The AOP has encouraged
  1. an operation
  2. sight problems
  3. out a cigarette
  4. to lose their vision
  5. gets in the eyes
  6. awareness
  7. smokers to quit
  8. is so harmful
  9. in five people
  10. lungs and heart

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
scientists
campaign
warning
one
damaging
raise
put
vision

Scientists are (1) ____________ that people who smoke are in danger of (2) ____________ their eyes. The scientists say smokers are two times more likely to lose their (3) ____________ than non-smokers. Everyone knows that smoking can damage the lungs and heart, but not many people know it could damage the eyesight. The (4) ____________ are from the Association of Optometrists (AOP) in the United Kingdom. The AOP has started a campaign to (5) ____________ awareness of the danger of smoking to the eyes. The (6) ____________ is called "Stub it out". The word "stub" means (7) ____________ out a cigarette by pushing the end against something hard; "stub it out" is saying, "stop smoking". The AOP said only (8) ____________ in five people think smoking can damage the eyes.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
irritate
operation
likely
harmful
quit
worsens
chance
lead

The AOP explained why smoking is so (9) ____________ to the eyes. Cigarette smoke gets in the eyes and causes or (10) ____________ a number of different eye problems. Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can (11) ____________ and damage the eyes. Smoke contains tiny pieces of metals like lead and copper. These can get into the eyes and (12) ____________ to cataracts - a condition that causes the eye lens to become cloudy. People with cataracts usually need an (13) ____________ to restore their sight. Smoke can also increase the (14) ____________ of worsening sight problems for people with diabetes. The AOP said smokers are also three times more (15) ____________ to damage the eyes' muscles. The AOP has encouraged smokers to (16) ____________.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Scientists are warning that people who smoke are in danger of ______
     a.  damaging them eyes
     b.  damaging their eyes
     c.  damaging they eyes
     d.  damaging there eyes
2)  The scientists say smokers are two times more likely to ______
     a.  loose their vision
     b.  lost their vision
     c.  losing their vision
     d.  lose their vision
3)  Everyone knows that smoking can damage the ______
     a.  lungs and heart
     b.  rung and hearty
     c.  lungs and hearty
     d.  rungs and heart
4)  The AOP has started a campaign to ______
     a.  raise awareness
     b.  erases awareness
     c.  raised awareness
     d.  erase awareness
5)  The word "stub" means put out a cigarette by pushing the end ______
     a.  against some things
     b.  again something
     c.  again stump thing
     d.  against something

6)  The AOP explained why smoking is so ______ eyes
     a.  harm full to the
     b.  harmful to the
     c.  harmed full to the
     d.  farm full to the
7)  Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can ______ the eyes
     a.  irritate and damages
     b.  irritates and damage
     c.  irritate and damage
     d.  irritates and damages
8)  a condition that causes the eye lens to ______
     a.  become crowded
     b.  become cloudy
     c.  become cloud
     d.  become a cloud
9)  The AOP said smokers are also three times ______
     a.  more like Lee
     b.  more like me
     c.  more likelihood
     d.  more likely
10)  The AOP has encouraged ______
     a.  smokers to quite
     b.  smokers to quiet
     c.  smokers to quit
     d.  smokers to quilt

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Scientists are warning that people who smoke (1) ___________________ of damaging their eyes. The scientists say smokers are two times more likely to (2) ___________________ than non-smokers. Everyone knows that smoking can damage the (3) ___________________, but not many people know it could damage the eyesight. The scientists are from the Association of Optometrists (AOP) in the United Kingdom. The AOP has started a campaign (4) ___________________ of the danger of smoking to the eyes. The campaign is called "Stub it out". The word "stub" (5) ___________________ a cigarette by pushing the end against something hard; "stub it out" is saying, "stop smoking". The AOP said only one in five people think smoking (6) ___________________ eyes.

The AOP explained why smoking (7) ___________________ to the eyes. Cigarette smoke gets in the eyes and causes (8) ___________________ number of different eye problems. Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals (9) ___________________ and damage the eyes. Smoke contains tiny pieces of metals like lead and copper. These can get into the eyes and lead to cataracts - a condition that causes the eye lens (10) ___________________. People with cataracts usually need an operation to restore their sight. Smoke can also increase (11) ___________________ worsening sight problems for people with diabetes. The AOP said smokers are also three times more likely to damage the eyes' muscles. The AOP has encouraged (12) ___________________.

Comprehension questions

  1. Who is warning of the dangers of smoke to the eyes?
  2. How much likelier are smokers to damage their eyes?
  3. According to the article, what do people know smoking damages?
  4. What is the name of the campaign to raise awareness of the dangers?
  5. Out of five people, how many think smoking can damage the eyes?
  6. What kind of chemicals did the article say smoke contains?
  7. What two metals did the article say smoke contains?
  8. What eye problem was mentioned that needs an operation?
  9. How much likelier are smokers to damage their eye muscles?
  10. What has a group called the AOP encouraged people to quit?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who is warning of the dangers of smoke to the eyes?
a) opticians
b) smokers
c) scientists
d) non-smokers
2) How much likelier are smokers to damage their eyes?
a) two times likelier
b) three times likelier
c) five times likelier
d) 10 times likelier
3) According to the article, what do people know smoking damages?
a) walls and ceilings
b) the lungs and heart
c) the skin
d) the environment
4) What is the name of the campaign to raise awareness of the dangers?
a) Tabs It Out
b) Stab It Out
c) Sub It Out
d) Stub It Out
5) Out of five people, how many think smoking can damage the eyes?
a) two
b) three
c) one
d) four

6) What kind of chemicals did the article say smoke contains?
a) natural chemicals
b) toxic chemicals
c) harmless chemicals
d) deadly chemicals
7) What two metals did the article say smoke contains?
a) iron and aluminium
b) copper and iron
c) lead and iron
d) lead and copper
8) What eye problem was mentioned that needs an operation?
a) double vision
b) cataracts
c) colour blindness
d) near-sightedness
9) How much likelier are smokers to damage their eye muscles?
a) five times likelier
b) three times likelier
c) ten times likelier
d) 100 times likelier
10) What has a group called the AOP encouraged people to quit?
a) smoking
b) using contact lenses
c) rubbing their eyes
d) staring at smartphones

Role play

Role  A – Poor Diet
You think a poor diet is the worst thing for our eyes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the most manageable of these (and why): smoke, smartphone use or not enough sleep.

Role  B – Smoke
You think smoke is the worst thing for our eyes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the most manageable of these (and why): a poor diet, smartphone use or not enough sleep.

Role  C – Smartphone Use
You think smartphone use is the worst thing for our eyes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the most manageable of these (and why): smoke, a poor diet or not enough sleep.

Role  D – Not Enough Sleep
You think not enough sleep is the worst thing for our eyes. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as bad. Also, tell the others which is the most manageable of these (and why): smoke, smartphone use or a poor diet.

After reading / listening

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

'damage'

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

    • and 'eyes'.

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

    • • 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:

    • harmful
    • worsens
    • toxic
    • cloudy
    • diabetes
    • three
    • damaging
    • likely
    • eyesight
    • raise
    • put
    • only

    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 - Smoking can damage the eyes

    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 'eye'?
    3. What do you think of smoking?
    4. Why do you think people smoke?
    5. What do you think of cigarette smoke?
    6. Why do you think smoking damages the eyes?
    7. What other dangers of smoking are there?
    8. What can people do to look after their eyesight?
    9. Should smoking be banned all around the world?
    10. What advice do you have for smokers?

    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 'smoking'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of smokers?
    5. What can countries do to stop people smoking?
    6. What do you think of smoky places?
    7. Should non-smokers be able to sue smokers for eye damage?
    8. Why is it difficult for people to quit smoking?
    9. What three adjectives best describe smoking?
    10. 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)

    (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)

    Scientists are warning that people who smoke are (1) ____ danger of damaging their eyes. The scientists say smokers are two times more (2) ____ to lose their vision than non-smokers. Everyone knows that smoking can (3) ____ the lungs and heart, but not many people know it could damage the eyesight. The scientists are from the Association of Optometrists (AOP) in the United Kingdom. The AOP has started a campaign (4) ____ raise awareness of the danger of smoking to the eyes. The campaign is called "Stub it out". The word "stub" means put out a cigarette (5) ____ pushing the end against something hard; "stub it out" is saying, "stop smoking". The AOP said only (6) ____ in five people think smoking can damage the eyes.

    The AOP explained why smoking is so (7) ____ to the eyes. Cigarette smoke gets in the eyes and causes or worsens a (8) ____ of different eye problems. Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can irritate and damage the eyes. Smoke contains tiny pieces of metals like lead and copper. These can (9) ____ into the eyes and lead to cataracts - a condition that causes the eye lens to become cloudy. People with cataracts usually need an (10) ____ to restore their sight. Smoke can also increase the chance of (11) ____ sight problems for people with diabetes. The AOP said smokers are also three times more likely to damage the eyes' muscles. The AOP has encouraged smokers to (12) ____.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     by     (b)     on     (c)     in     (d)     of    
    2. (a)     likely     (b)     liken     (c)     likes     (d)     liked    
    3. (a)     damage     (b)     damaged     (c)     damages     (d)     damaging    
    4. (a)     to     (b)     for     (c)     at     (d)     on    
    5. (a)     up     (b)     of     (c)     at     (d)     by    
    6. (a)     once     (b)     ones     (c)     one's     (d)     one    
    7. (a)     harmful     (b)     harms     (c)     harm     (d)     harmed    
    8. (a)     numbing     (b)     numbers     (c)     numeral     (d)     number    
    9. (a)     get     (b)     look     (c)     move     (d)     smoke    
    10. (a)     optic     (b)     operation     (c)     surgery     (d)     eye liner    
    11. (a)     worsen     (b)     worsening     (c)     worsens     (d)     worsened    
    12. (a)     quit     (b)     quite     (c)     quilt     (d)     quiet

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. The nsiesicstt say smokers are...
    2. two times more ilyelk
    3. lose their onivis
    4. damage the gehtyies
    5. a icmangpa to raise awareness
    6. pushing the end gsinaat something

    Paragraph 2

    1. why smoking is so lhmufra to the eyes
    2. causes or osnsrwe a number
    3. smoke contains tcxio chemicals
    4. a idnonctio that causes the eye lens
    5. an eorpaitno to restore their sight
    6. The AOP has enueraodcg smokers to quit

    Put the text back together

    (...)  hard; "stub it out" is saying, "stop smoking". The AOP said only one in five people think smoking can damage the eyes.
    (...)  worsening sight problems for people with diabetes. The AOP said smokers are also three
    (...)  the United Kingdom. The AOP has started a campaign to raise awareness of the danger of smoking to the eyes. The campaign
    (...)  and damage the eyes. Smoke contains tiny pieces of metals like lead and copper. These can get into the eyes and lead to
    (  1  ) Scientists are warning that people who smoke are in danger of damaging their
    (...)  is called "Stub it out". The word "stub" means put out a cigarette by pushing the end against something
    (...)  The AOP explained why smoking is so harmful to the eyes. Cigarette smoke gets in the eyes and causes
    (...)  operation to restore their sight. Smoke can also increase the chance of
    (...)  non-smokers. Everyone knows that smoking can damage the lungs and heart, but not many people
    (...)  know it could damage the eyesight. The scientists are from the Association of Optometrists (AOP) in
    (...)  or worsens a number of different eye problems. Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can irritate
    (...)  times more likely to damage the eyes' muscles. The AOP has encouraged smokers to quit.
    (...)  eyes. The scientists say smokers are two times more likely to lose their vision than
    (...)  cataracts - a condition that causes the eye lens to become cloudy. People with cataracts usually need an

    Put the words in the right order

    1. in   damaging   are   eyes   .   danger   their   Smokers   of
    2. to   their   vision   .   more   lose   times   likely   Two
    3. knows   the   smoking   that   lungs   .   Everyone   can   damage
    4. of   smoking   .   the   of   awareness   Raise   danger
    5. cigarette   Put   a   out   end   .   pushing   the   by
    6. smoking   harmful   so   Why   eyes   .   is   the   to
    7. eye   a   problems   .   number   Worsens   of   different
    8. causes   eye   the   become   lens   to   That   cloudy   .
    9. of   worsening   sight   Increase   chance   the   problems   .
    10. AOP   smokers   to   encouraged   The   quit   .   has

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Scientists are warning / warming that people who smoke are on / in danger of damaging their eyes. The scientists say smokers are two / twice times more likely to lose their visionary / vision than non-smokers. Everyone knows that smoking can damage the lungs / lung and heart, but not many people know it could damage the eyesight. The sciences / scientists are from the Association of Optometrists (AOP) in the United Kingdom. The AOP has started a campaign to rise / raise awareness of the danger of smoking to the eyes. The campaign is called "Stub it out". The word "stub" means / meaning put out a cigarette by pushing the end against / for something hard; "stub it out" is saying, "stop smoking". The AOP said only once / one in five people think smoking can damage the eyes.

    The AOP explained why smoking is so harmed / harmful to the eyes. Cigarette smoke gets in the eyes and causes or worsens / worsen a number of different eye problems. Cigarette smoke contents / contains toxic chemicals that can irritate / irrigate and damage the eyes. Smoke contains tiny pieces of metals such / like lead and copper. These can get into the eyes and lead to contracts / cataracts - a condition that causes the eye lens to become cloudy / crowded. People with cataracts usually need an operation to store / restore their sight. Smoke can also increase the chance of worsening sight / slight problems for people with diabetes. The AOP said smokers are also three times more likely to damage the eyes' muscles. The AOP has encouraged smokers to quite / quit.

    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)

    S c__ n t_s t s _r_ w_r n_n g t h_t p__ p l_ w h_ s m_k_ _r_ _n d_n g_r _f d_m_g_n g t h__ r _y_s . T h_ s c__ n t_s t s s_y s m_k_r s _r_ t w_ t_m_s m_r_ l_k_l y t_ l_s_ t h__ r v_s__ n t h_n n_n - s m_k_r s . E v_r y_n_ k n_w s t h_t s m_k_n g c_n d_m_g_ t h_ l_n g s _n d h__ r t , b_t n_t m_n y p__ p l_ k n_w _t c__ l d d_m_g_ t h_ _y_s_g h t . T h_ s c__ n t_s t s _r_ f r_m t h_ A s s_c__ t__ n _f O p t_m_t r_s t s ( A O P ) _n t h_ U n_t_d K_n g d_m . T h_ A O P h_s s t_r t_d _ c_m p__ g n t_ r__ s_ _w_r_n_s s _f t h_ d_n g_r _f s m_k_n g t_ t h_ _y_s . T h_ c_m p__ g n _s c_l l_d " S t_b _t __ t " . T h_ w_r d " s t_b " m__ n s p_t __ t _ c_g_r_t t_ b y p_s h_n g t h_ _n d _g__ n s t s_m_t h_n g h_r d ; " s t_b _t __ t " _s s_y_n g , " s t_p s m_k_n g " . T h_ A O P s__ d _n l y _n_ _n f_v_ p__ p l_ t h_n k s m_k_n g c_n d_m_g_ t h_ _y_s .

    T h_ A O P _x p l__ n_d w h y s m_k_n g _s s_ h_r m f_l t_ t h_ _y_s . C_g_r_t t_ s m_k_ g_t s _n t h_ _y_s _n d c__ s_s _r w_r s_n s _ n_m b_r _f d_f f_r_n t _y_ p r_b l_m s . C_g_r_t t_ s m_k_ c_n t__ n s t_x_c c h_m_c_l s t h_t c_n _r r_t_t_ _n d d_m_g_ t h_ _y_s . S m_k_ c_n t__ n s t_n y p__ c_s _f m_t_l s l_k_ l__ d _n d c_p p_r . T h_s_ c_n g_t _n t_ t h_ _y_s _n d l__ d t_ c_t_r_c t s - _ c_n d_t__ n t h_t c__ s_s t h_ _y_ l_n s t_ b_c_m_ c l__ d y . P__ p l_ w_t h c_t_r_c t s _s__ l l y n__ d _n _p_r_t__ n t_ r_s t_r_ t h__ r s_g h t . S m_k_ c_n _l s_ _n c r__ s_ t h_ c h_n c_ _f w_r s_n_n g s_g h t p r_b l_m s f_r p__ p l_ w_t h d__ b_t_s . T h_ A O P s__ d s m_k_r s _r_ _l s_ t h r__ t_m_s m_r_ l_k_l y t_ d_m_g_ t h_ _y_s ' m_s c l_s . T h_ A O P h_s _n c__ r_g_d s m_k_r s t_ q__ t .

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    scientists are warning that people who smoke are in danger of damaging their eyes the scientists say smokers are two times more likely to lose their vision than nonsmokers everyone knows that smoking can damage the lungs and heart but not many people know it could damage the eyesight the scientists are from the association of optometrists aop in the united kingdom the aop has started a campaign to raise awareness of the danger of smoking to the eyes the campaign is called stub it out the word stub means put out a cigarette by pushing the end against something hard stub it out is saying stop smoking the aop said only one in five people think smoking can damage the eyes

    the aop explained why smoking is so harmful to the eyes cigarette smoke gets in the eyes and causes or worsens a number of different eye problems cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals that can irritate and damage the eyes smoke contains tiny pieces of metals like lead and copper these can get into the eyes and lead to cataracts  a condition that causes the eye lens to become cloudy people with cataracts usually need an operation to restore their sight smoke can also increase the chance of worsening sight problems for people with diabetes the aop said smokers are also three times more likely to damage the eyes muscles the aop has encouraged smokers to quit.

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Scientistsarewarningthatpeoplewhosmokeareindangerofdamaging
    theireyes.Thescientistssaysmokersaretwotimesmorelikelytoloseth
    eirvisionthannon-smokers.Everyoneknowsthatsmokingcandamage
    thelungsandheart,butnotmanypeopleknowitcoulddamagetheeyesig
    ht.ThescientistsarefromtheAssociationofOptometrists(AOP)intheU
    nitedKingdom.TheAOPhasstartedacampaigntoraiseawarenessofthe
    dangerofsmokingtotheeyes.Thecampaigniscalled"Stubitout".Thew
    ord"stub"meansputoutacigarettebypushingtheendagainstsomethin
    ghard;"stubitout"issaying,"stopsmoking".TheAOPsaidonlyoneinfive
    peoplethinksmokingcandamagetheeyes.TheAOPexplainedwhysmo
    kingissoharmfultotheeyes.Cigarettesmokegetsintheeyesandcauses
    orworsensanumberofdifferenteyeproblems.Cigarettesmokecontain
    stoxicchemicalsthatcanirritateanddamagetheeyes.Smokecontainst
    inypiecesofmetalslikeleadandcopper.Thesecangetintotheeyesandle
    adtocataracts-aconditionthatcausestheeyelenstobecomecloudy.Pe
    oplewithcataractsusuallyneedanoperationtorestoretheirsight.Smok
    ecanalsoincreasethechanceofworseningsightproblemsforpeoplewit
    hdiabetes.TheAOPsaidsmokersarealsothreetimesmorelikelytodam
    agetheeyes'muscles.TheAOPhasencouragedsmokerstoquit.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Cigarettes should be banned worldwide. 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. EYE DAMAGE: Make a poster about eye damage. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. SMOKING BAN: Write a magazine article about banning smoking worldwide. 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. EYE DAMAGE: Write a letter to an expert on smoking. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on smoking and eye damage. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Also...

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

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

    Buy my book

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    Answers

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

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