Breaking News English Lesson: Obesity

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Half of world population will be overweight by 2035 (13th March 2023)

The Reading / Listening - Obesity - Level 6

Citizens of the world have been given a gloomy and worrying health warning – half of us will be classed as obese or overweight by 2035. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) has warned that in just over a decade, more than four billion people will be too heavy for their own well-being. There are currently over a billion obese people in the world. The fastest rising rates are among children and adolescents. The WHO defines obesity as "abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health". A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. In June 2013, the American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease. Many health organizations have described it as a pandemic.

The WOF warned immediate action must be taken to avoid "serious repercussions" in the future. It said the rise was "particularly worrying". It added that, "governments and policymakers around the world need to do all they can to avoid passing health, social, and economic costs on to the younger generation". The federation called for the root causes to be addressed. These include an increased consumption of highly processed foods, greater levels of sedentary behaviour, and a lack of healthcare services to assist in weight management. The WOF recommended restricting the marketing of food that has high fat, salt or sugar content, and providing healthy food in schools.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Obesity - Level 4 or Obesity - Level 5

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-64831848
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/mar/02/more-than-half-of-humans-on-track-to-be-overweight-or-obese-by-2035-report
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3881302-more-than-half-the-global-population-will-be-overweight-or-obese-by-2035-report/

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. OBESITY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about obesity. 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?
citizens / health warning / gloomy / obesity / well-being / adolescents / fat / disease /
repercussions / in the future / governments / the younger generation / weight / food
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. FAST FOOD: Students A strongly believe fast food should be banned; Students B strongly believe otherwise. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. REDUCING OBESITY: What can people do regarding the things below to avoid obesity? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	What People Can Do	How Effective
Food
Drink
Computers
Work
Transport
Daily life

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

Fries
Chocolate
Cheesecake
Pizza
Kebabs
Burgers
Potato chips
Steak

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	gloomy	a.	The gradual gathering or adding of something.
2.	classed	b.	Causing or feeling depression or sadness.
3.	obese	c.	Changing from what is usual, typically in a way that is undesirable or worrying.
4.	adolescent	d.	Put into a category.
5.	abnormal	e.	Of a young person in the process of developing from a child into an adult.
6.	excessive	f.	Very fat or overweight.
7.	accumulation	g.	More than is necessary, normal, or desirable.

Paragraph 2

8.	repercussions	h.	Unintended consequences of an event or action, especially unwelcome ones.
9.	generation	i.	Putting a limit on; keeping under control.
10.	federation	j.	All of the people born and living at about the same time, regarded collectively.
11.	addressed	k.	Of a person tending to spend much time seated; somewhat inactive.
12.	consumption	l.	An organization or group within which smaller divisions have some degree of control.
13.	sedentary	m.	Thought about and began to deal with an issue or problem.
14.	restricting	n.	The action of eating or drinking something.

Before reading / listening

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

Citizens of the world have issued a gloomy health warning. T / F
More than 4 billion people will be overweight or obese by 2035. T / F
There are just fewer than a billion obese people in the world today. T / F
Anyone with a BMI of more than 25 is obese. T / F
The WOF said serious percussions will lead to immediate actions. T / F
The WOF said health costs should not be passed to future generations. T / F
The WOF wants the causes of the roots to be dug up. T / F
The WOF recommended providing healthier meals in schools. T / F

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

gloomy
classed
warned
adolescents
considered
repercussions
worrying
addressed
sedentary
restricting

teenagers
thought to be
inactive
termed
tackled
depressing
limiting
concerning
consequences
cautioned

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

half of us will be
The fastest rising rates
abnormal or excessive fat
A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is
health organizations have described it
immediate action
avoid serious
on to the younger
greater levels of sedentary
food that has high fat, salt or sugar

are among children
content
as a pandemic
must be taken
generation
accumulation
classed as obese
behaviour
considered overweight
repercussions

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

currently
considered
adolescents
pandemic
gloomy
classified
decade
excessive

Citizens of the world have been given a (1) _____________________ and worrying health warning – half of us will be classed as obese or overweight by 2035. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) has warned that in just over a (2) _____________________, more than four billion people will be too heavy for their own well-being. There are (3) _____________________ over a billion obese people in the world. The fastest rising rates are among children and (4) _____________________. The WHO defines obesity as "abnormal or (5) _____________________ fat accumulation that presents a risk to health". A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is (6) _____________________ overweight, and over 30 is obese. In June 2013, the American Medical Association (7) _____________________ obesity as a disease. Many health organizations have described it as a (8) _____________________.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

content
root
sedentary
repercussions
restricting
avoid
immediate
consumption

The WOF warned (9) _____________________ action must be taken to avoid "serious (10) _____________________ " in the future. It said the rise was "particularly worrying". It added that, "governments and policymakers around the world need to do all they can to (11) _____________________ passing health, social, and economic costs on to the younger generation". The federation called for the (12) _____________________ causes to be addressed. These include an increased (13) _____________________ of highly processed foods, greater levels of (14) _____________________ behaviour, and a lack of healthcare services to assist in weight management. The WOF recommended (15) _____________________ the marketing of food that has high fat, salt or sugar (16) _____________________, and providing healthy food in schools.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Citizens of the world have been given a gloomy and ______
     a. worrying healthy warning
     b. worrying health warming
     c. worry in health warning
     d. worrying health warning
2) more than four billion people will be too heavy for their ______
     a. own well-been
     b. own good-being
     c. own well-being
     d. own well-bean
3) The fastest rising rates are among ______
     a. children and adolescents
     b. children and adolescence
   c. children and idol scents
     d. children and a doll sense
4) A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over ______
     a. 30 is obesely
     b. 30 is obesity
     c. 30 is obese
   d. 30 is obtuse
5) classified obesity as a disease. Many health organizations have described it ______
     a. as a endemic
     b. as a pandemic
     c. as an pandemic
     d. as an epidermis

6) The WOF warned immediate action must be taken to ______
     a. avoid seriously repercussions
     b. avoid serious repercussions
     c. avoid serious repercussion
     d. avoid series repercussions
7) passing health, social, and economic costs on to ______
     a. the younger generation
     b. their younger generation
     c. there younger generation
     d. them younger generation
8) an increased consumption of highly processed foods, greater levels ______
     a. of pedantry behaviour
     b. of sedan tree behaviour
     c. of sediment behaviour
     d. of sedentary behaviour
9) and a lack of healthcare services to assist ______
     a. on weight management
     b. in weight management
     c. in weighty management
     d. in weights management
10) recommended restricting the marketing of food that has high fat, salt ______
     a. of sugar content
     b. ore sugar content
     c. or sugar content
     d. awe sugar content

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Citizens of the world have been (1) ____________________ and worrying health warning – half of us will (2) ____________________ obese or overweight by 2035. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) has warned that in just (3) ____________________, more than four billion people will be too heavy for their own well-being. There are currently over a billion obese people in the world. The (4) ____________________ are among children and adolescents. The WHO defines obesity as "(5) ____________________ fat accumulation that presents a risk to health". A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. In June 2013, the American Medical Association (6) ____________________ a disease. Many health organizations have described it as a pandemic.

The WOF warned immediate action must be taken to avoid (1) ____________________ the future. It said the rise was "particularly worrying". It added that, "governments and policymakers around the world need to do all they can (2) ____________________ health, social, and economic costs on to the younger generation". The federation called for the (3) ____________________ be addressed. These include an increased consumption of highly processed foods, greater levels (4) ____________________, and a lack of healthcare services to (5) ____________________ management. The WOF recommended restricting the marketing of food that has high fat, salt (6) ____________________, and providing healthy food in schools.

Comprehension questions

How many people will be obese by 2035?
How many obese people are there in the world today?
What number on the BMI indicates being overweight?
What did the American Medication Association classify obesity as?
What have many organizations described levels of obesity as being?
What might there be in the future if we don't act now?
Who needs to act besides governments?
What did the WOF say needed to be addressed?
What kind of behaviour are there greater levels of?
What do schools need to provide?

Multiple choice quiz

1) How many people will be obese by 2035?
a) around 4 billion
b) more than 4 billion
c) just fewer than 4 billion
d) exactly 4 billion
2) How many obese people are there in the world today?
a) around a billion
b) just fewer than a billion
c) exactly a billion
d) over a billion
3) What number on the BMI indicates being overweight?
a) 25
b) 30
c) 35
d) 20
4) What did the American Medication Association classify obesity as?
a) a catastrophe
b) a challenge
c) a disease
d) an epidemic
5) What have many organizations described levels of obesity as being?
a) a catastrophe
b) a pandemic
c) a disease
d) tough on kids

6) What might there be in the future if we don't act now?
a) serious repercussions
b) a population collapse
c) healthcare collapses
d) fewer seats on airplanes
7) Who needs to act besides governments?
a) schools
b) overweight people
c) policymakers
d) doctors
8) What did the WOF say needed to be addressed?
a) the root causes
b) junk food
c) food marketing
d) exercise regimes
9) What kind of behaviour are there greater levels of?
a) sedentary behaviour
b) greedy behaviour
c) caring behaviour
d) unpredictable behaviour
10) What do schools need to provide?
a) advice on eating well
b) gyms
c) more activities
d) healthy food

Role play

Role A – Fries
You think fries is the unhealthiest food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food isn't as unhealthy. Also, tell the others which is the least unhealthy of these (and why): cheesecake, pizza or steak.

Role B – Cheesecake
You think cheesecake is the unhealthiest food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food isn't as unhealthy. Also, tell the others which is the least unhealthy of these (and why): fries, pizza or steak.

Role C – Pizza
You think pizza is the unhealthiest food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food isn't as unhealthy. Also, tell the others which is the least unhealthy of these (and why): cheesecake, fries or steak.

Role D – Steak
You think steak is the unhealthiest food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their food isn't as unhealthy. Also, tell the others which is the least unhealthy of these (and why): cheesecake, pizza or fries.

After reading / listening

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

'obese'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'health'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

gloomy

just

currently

fastest

30

described

serious

passing

root

highly

lack

content

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 - Obesity

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

What did you think when you read the headline?
What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'obese'?
Why is obesity on the increase around the world?
Do you worry about your weight?
What health problems does obesity cause?
What costs does obesity add to society?
How will the world be different is most people are obese?
Why are more and more children becoming obese?
What do you know about the BMI?
Do you agree that obesity is a pandemic?

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

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
What do you think of when you hear the word 'overweight'?
What do you think about what you read?
What immediate action should be taken?
What does your government do about obesity?
Should processed foods be banned?
Should junk food be banned?
How can we get people to exercise more?
How can we get people to eat healthier food?
What questions would you like to ask the WOF?

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)

Citizens of the world have been given a (1) ____ and worrying health warning – half of us will be classed (2) ____ obese or overweight by 2035. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) has warned that in just over a decade, more than four billion people will be (3) ____ heavy for their own well-being. There are currently over a billion obese people in the world. The fastest rising (4) ____ are among children and adolescents. The WHO defines obesity as "abnormal or (5) ____ fat accumulation that presents a risk to health". A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. In June 2013, the American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease. Many health organizations have (6) ____ it as a pandemic.

The WOF warned (7) ____ action must be taken to avoid "serious repercussions" in the future. It said the rise was "particularly worrying". It added that, "governments and policymakers around the world need to do all they can to avoid (8) ____ health, social, and economic costs (9) ____ to the younger generation". The federation called for the root causes to be addressed. These include an increased consumption of (10) ____ processed foods, greater levels of sedentary behaviour, and a lack of healthcare services to assist (11) ____ weight management. The WOF recommended restricting the marketing of food that has high fat, salt or sugar (12) ____, and providing healthy food in schools.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) gleaming (b) gloomy (c) glamorous (d) grimy
(a) was (b) as (c) has (d) is
(a) far (b) much (c) many (d) too
(a) ratan (b) rates (c) raters (d) ratios
(a) inclusive (b) excessive (c) obsessive (d) reclusive
(a) scribbled (b) scribed (c) described (d) depictive
(a) immediacy (b) immediately (c) immediate (d) meditative
(a) passage (b) passed (c) passing (d) passes
(a) added (b) for (c) as (d) on
(a) highly (b) high (c) heighten (d) higher
(a) in (b) on (c) at (d) of
(a) happiness (b) index (c) content (d) material

Spelling

Paragraph 1

a gyolmo and worrying health warning
among children and ctsdaelnsoe
abnormal or veicesexs
fat tuamcliocuna
ascilfisde obesity as a disease
organizations have described it as a mincdaep

Paragraph 2

avoid serious pirueocnesrss
the rise was prycitalrlua worrying
governments and cpkyiramsole
the younger toegrennia
greater levels of tsdnyaere behaviour
stetinrircg the marketing of food

Put the text back together

(...) billion obese people in the world. The fastest rising rates are among children and
(...) the world need to do all they can to avoid passing health, social, and economic costs on to the younger
(...) the future. It said the rise was "particularly worrying". It added that, "governments and policymakers around
(...) The WOF warned immediate action must be taken to avoid "serious repercussions" in
(...) adolescents. The WHO defines obesity as "abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to
(...) a decade, more than four billion people will be too heavy for their own well-being. There are currently over a
(...) generation". The federation called for the root causes to be addressed. These include an increased
( 1 ) Citizens of the world have been given a gloomy and worrying health warning – half of us will be classed
(...) health". A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. In June 2013, the
(...) consumption of highly processed foods, greater levels of sedentary behaviour, and a lack of healthcare services to assist
(...) American Medical Association classified obesity as a disease. Many health organizations have described it as a pandemic.
(...) as obese or overweight by 2035. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) has warned that in just over
(...) fat, salt or sugar content, and providing healthy food in schools.
(...) in weight management. The WOF recommended restricting the marketing of food that has high

Put the words in the right order

us classed will be of Half obese . as
among fastest The adolescents . are rates rising
accumulation . defines The as excessive obesity fat WHO
25 mass overweight . index body is A over
a have described Health pandemic . as organizations it
serious to Action must avoid be taken repercussions .
to do they all need can . Policymakers
for causes to root It addressed . called be
include of consumption foods . an increased processed These
WOF marketing food . recommended restricting of The the

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

Citizens of the world have been given a gleaming / gloomy and worrying health warning – half of us will be classed / closed as obese or overweight by 2035. The World Obesity Federation (WOF) has warned that in just over a decade, more than four billion people will be too / far heavy for their own well-being. There are concurrently / currently over a billion obese people in the world. The fastest rising ratio / rates are among children and adolescents / adolescence. The WHO defines obesity as "abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents / gifts a risk to health". A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considerable / considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. In June 2013, the American Medical Association classified obesity was / as a disease. Many health organizations have described it as a pandemic / epidemic.

The WOF warned / waned immediate action must be taken to avoid "serious repercussion / repercussions" in the future. It said the raise / rise was "particularly worrying". It added that, "governments and policymakers around the world need to do all they can to avoidance / avoid passing health, social, and economic costs on / in to the younger generation". The federation called for the root causes to be addressed / posted. These include an increased consumption of highly processing / processed foods, greater levels of sedentary behaviour, and a slack / lack of healthcare services to assist in weight management. The WOF recommended restricting the marketing of / at food that has high fat, salt or sugar content, and providing healthy food in / of schools.

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)

C_t_z_ns _f th_ w_rld h_v_ b__n g_v_n _ gl__my _nd w_rry_ng h__lth w_rn_ng – h_lf _f _s w_ll b_ cl_ss_d _s _b_s_ _r _v_rw__ght by 2035. Th_ W_rld _b_s_ty F_d_r_t__n (W_F) h_s w_rn_d th_t _n j_st _v_r _ d_c_d_, m_r_ th_n f__r b_ll__n p__pl_ w_ll b_ t__ h__vy f_r th__r _wn w_ll-b__ng. Th_r_ _r_ c_rr_ntly _v_r _ b_ll__n _b_s_ p__pl_ _n th_ w_rld. Th_ f_st_st r_s_ng r_t_s _r_ _m_ng ch_ldr_n _nd _d_l_sc_nts. Th_ WH_ d_f_n_s _b_s_ty _s "_bn_rm_l _r _xc_ss_v_ f_t _cc_m_l_t__n th_t pr_s_nts _ r_sk t_ h__lth". _ b_dy m_ss _nd_x (BM_) _v_r 25 _s c_ns_d_r_d _v_rw__ght, _nd _v_r 30 _s _b_s_. _n J_n_ 2013, th_ _m_r_c_n M_d_c_l _ss_c__t__n cl_ss_f__d _b_s_ty _s _ d_s__s_. M_ny h__lth _rg_n_z_t__ns h_v_ d_scr_b_d _t _s _ p_nd_m_c.

Th_ W_F w_rn_d _mm_d__t_ _ct__n m_st b_ t_k_n t_ _v__d "s_r___s r_p_rc_ss__ns" _n th_ f_t_r_. _t s__d th_ r_s_ w_s "p_rt_c_l_rly w_rry_ng". _t _dd_d th_t, "g_v_rnm_nts _nd p_l_cym_k_rs _r__nd th_ w_rld n__d t_ d_ _ll th_y c_n t_ _v__d p_ss_ng h__lth, s_c__l, _nd _c_n_m_c c_sts _n t_ th_ y__ng_r g_n_r_t__n". Th_ f_d_r_t__n c_ll_d f_r th_ r__t c__s_s t_ b_ _ddr_ss_d. Th_s_ _ncl_d_ _n _ncr__s_d c_ns_mpt__n _f h_ghly pr_c_ss_d f__ds, gr__t_r l_v_ls _f s_d_nt_ry b_h_v___r, _nd _ l_ck _f h__lthc_r_ s_rv_c_s t_ _ss_st _n w__ght m_n_g_m_nt. Th_ W_F r_c_mm_nd_d r_str_ct_ng th_ m_rk_t_ng _f f__d th_t h_s h_gh f_t, s_lt _r s_g_r c_nt_nt, _nd pr_v_d_ng h__lthy f__d _n sch__ls.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

citizens of the world have been given a gloomy and worrying health warning half of us will be classed as obese or overweight by 2035 the world obesity federation wof has warned that in just over a decade more than four billion people will be too heavy for their own wellbeing there are currently over a billion obese people in the world the fastest rising rates are among children and adolescents the who defines obesity as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health a body mass index bmi over 25 is considered overweight and over 30 is obese in june 2013 the american medical association classified obesity as a disease many health organizations have described it as a pandemic

the wof warned immediate action must be taken to avoid serious repercussions in the future it said the rise was particularly worrying it added that governments and policymakers around the world need to do all they can to avoid passing health social and economic costs on to the younger generation the federation called for the root causes to be addressed these include an increased consumption of highly processed foods greater levels of sedentary behaviour and a lack of healthcare services to assist in weight management the wof recommended restricting the marketing of food that has high fat salt or sugar content and providing healthy food in schools

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Citizensoftheworldhavebeengivenagloomyandworryinghealthwarni
ng–halfofuswillbeclassedasobeseoroverweightby2035.TheWorldOb
esityFederation(WOF)haswarnedthatinjustoveradecade,morethanf
ourbillionpeoplewillbetooheavyfortheirownwell-being.Therearecu
rrentlyoverabillionobesepeopleintheworld.Thefastestrisingratesare
amongchildrenandadolescents.TheWHOdefinesobesityas"abnormal
orexcessivefataccumulationthatpresentsarisktohealth".Abodymass
index(BMI)over25isconsideredoverweight,andover30isobese.InJu
ne2013,theAmericanMedicalAssociationclassifiedobesityasadiseas
e.Manyhealthorganizationshavedescribeditasapandemic.TheWOFw
arnedimmediateactionmustbetakentoavoid"seriousrepercussions"i
nthefuture.Itsaidtherisewas"particularlyworrying".Itaddedthat,"go
vernmentsandpolicymakersaroundtheworldneedtodoalltheycantoa
voidpassinghealth,social,andeconomiccostsontotheyoungergenera
tion".Thefederationcalledfortherootcausestobeaddressed.Theseincl
udeanincreasedconsumptionofhighlyprocessedfoods,greaterlevels
ofsedentarybehaviour,andalackofhealthcareservicestoassistinweig
htmanagement.TheWOFrecommendedrestrictingthemarketingoffo
odthathashighfat,saltorsugarcontent,andprovidinghealthyfoodinsc
hools.

Free writing

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

Junk food and processed food should be banned. 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 this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
3. OBESITY: Make a poster about obesity. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. NO JUNK FOOD: Write a magazine article about banning junk food. 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 obesity. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to reduce 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

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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