The Reading / Listening - Walking - Level 3

Many people around the world monitor how many steps they walk every day. This is due to studies that suggest 10,000 steps a day is enough to help us stay healthy and live longer. A new study says just 4,000 steps a day could be the magic number for us to live well into old age. Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine analyzed 17 studies that looked at how far people walked during the week. The scientists concluded that 4,000 steps per day reduced the risk of dying from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other life-threatening conditions. Study author Dr Seth Shay Martin said 4,000 steps is roughly a 30- to 45-minute walk, or about three to four kilometres.

The study is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The research looked at health and exercise data from more than 225,000 adults worldwide over seven years. They had an average age of 64. Some people were in good health, while others suffered from heart problems. Dr Martin said his conclusion that 4,000 steps were beneficial was a minimum amount. He said: "I wouldn't want people to look at that as a magical number, that you must walk that exact step count. More is better." He added that walking an additional 1,000 steps per day is associated with a roughly 15 per cent lower risk of premature death. He said people should add at least one walk to their daily routine.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Walking - Level 0,  Walking - Level 1   or  Walking - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/09/well/move/steps-walking-health-benefits.html
  • https://time.com/6302650/walking-4000-steps-improves-health/
  • https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/the-more-you-walk-the-lower-your-risk-of-death-even-if-you-walk-fewer-than-5000-steps


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. WALKING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about walking. 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?
       monitor / steps / healthy / live longer / magical number / scientists / diabetes / walk /
       study / exercise / average / age / heart problems / premature death / daily routine
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WALKING METRE: Students A strongly believe we should all have a walking metre so we know how much we walk; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. WALKING: How can we walk more in these situations? Would you do this? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

Walking More

Would You Do It?

Taking a bus

 

 

At work

 

 

At home

 

 

Shopping

 

 

In a building

 

 

In a park

 

 
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. STEP: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "step". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. LONGER LIFE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to live longer at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Walking
  • Sleep
  • Medicine
  • Good food
  • Laughter
  • Exercise
  • No stress
  • Having money

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. monitor a. Examined something carefully and in detail.
      2. due to b. Potentially deadly
      3. suggest c. Look at and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time.
      4. well d. Because of
      5. analyzed e. Easily
      6. diabetes f. A disease in which the body produces too much glucose in the blood.
      7. life-threatening g. Cause one to think that something exists or is the case.

    Paragraph 2

      8. published h. Extra
      9. data i. Accurate or correct in all details.
      10. average j. A judgement or decision reached by thinking.
      11. conclusion k. Of a book, journal, piece of music, etc. that is sold.
      12. exact l. Happening or done before the usual or proper time; too early.
      13. additional m. Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis.
      14. premature n. A number showing the normal or usual thing.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A researcher said 10,000 was a magical number.     T / F
  2. Researchers looked at 17 studies on people's exercise and health.     T / F
  3. Walking 4,000 steps a day can increase the risk of getting diabetes.     T / F
  4. Walking 4,000 steps is a distance of eight kilometres.     T / F
  5. The research has been published in a journal.     T / F
  6. The people who were part of the research had an average age over 60.   T / F
  7. A researcher said people shouldn't walk more than 4,000 steps a day.     T / F
  8. An extra 1,000 steps lowers the risk of dying early by about 15%.     T / F

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

  1. monitor
  2. due to
  3. enough
  4. reduced
  5. conditions
  6. minimum
  7. exact
  8. additional
  9. roughly
  10. daily
  1. cut
  2. about
  3. everyday
  4. because of
  5. extra
  6. check
  7. lowest level
  8. sufficient
  9. illnesses
  10. precise

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

  1. people around the world monitor how many
  2. live well
  3. reduced the risk of dying
  4. cardiovascular diseases and other
  5. 4,000 steps is roughly a
  6. They had an average
  7. Some people were in
  8. you must walk that exact
  9. a roughly 15 per cent lower risk of
  10. add at least one walk to
  1. life-threatening conditions
  2. step count
  3. 30- to 45-minute walk
  4. good health
  5. their daily routine
  6. steps they walk
  7. age of 64
  8. into old age
  9. from diabetes
  10. premature death

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
due
far
magic
roughly
monitor
dying
enough
age

Many people around the world (1) _____________________ how many steps they walk every day. This is (2) _____________________ to studies that suggest 10,000 steps a day is (3) _____________________ to help us stay healthy and live longer. A new study says just 4,000 steps a day could be the (4) _____________________ number for us to live well into old (5) _____________________. Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine analyzed 17 studies that looked at how (6) _____________________ people walked during the week. The scientists concluded that 4,000 steps per day reduced the risk of (7) _____________________ from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other life-threatening conditions. Study author Dr Seth Shay Martin said 4,000 steps is (8) _____________________ a 30- to 45-minute walk, or about three to four kilometres.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
amount
data
exact
daily
suffered
published
risk
average

The study is (9) _____________________ in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The research looked at health and exercise (10) _____________________ from more than 225,000 adults worldwide over seven years. They had an (11) _____________________ age of 64. Some people were in good health, while others (12) _____________________ from heart problems. Dr Martin said his conclusion that 4,000 steps were beneficial was a minimum (13) _____________________. He said: "I wouldn't want people to look at that as a magical number, that you must walk that (14) _____________________ step count. More is better." He added that walking an additional 1,000 steps per day is associated with a roughly 15 per cent lower (15) _____________________ of premature death. He said people should add at least one walk to their (16) _____________________ routine.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Many people around the world monitor how many steps they ______
     a.  walks every day
     b.  walk a very day
     c.  walk aviary day
     d.  walk every day
2)  This is due to studies that suggest 10,000 steps a ______
     a.  days is enough
     b.  day was enough
     c.  day is enough
     d.  day isn't enough
3)  A new study says just 4,000 steps a day could be ______
     a.  the magic numeral
     b.  the magic numb bar
     c.  the magic numb burr
     d.  the magic number
4)  analyzed 17 studies that looked at how far people walked ______
     a.  enduring the week
     b.  chewing the week
     c.  injuring the week
     d.  during the week
5)  diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other ______
     a.  life-threaten in conditions
     b.  life-treating conditions
     c.  life-threat anon conditions
     d.  life-threatening conditions

6)  The research looked at health and exercise data from more ______
     a.  than 225,000 adults
     b.  than 225,000 adultery
     c.  than 225,000 adulterers
     d.  than 225,000 adulterates
7)  They had an average age of 64. Some people were ______
     a.  in goods health
     b.  in good health
     c.  in goodly health
     d.  in goo health
8)  Dr Martin said his conclusion that 4,000 steps were beneficial was ______
     a.  a minimal amount
     b.  a mini mum amount
     c.  a mini mummy mount
     d.  a minimum amount
9)  people to look at that as a magical number, that you must walk that ______
     a.  exact steep count
     b.  exact step account
     c.  exact step count
     d.  exactly step count
10)  He said people should add at least one walk to ______
     a.  their daily route teen
     b.  their daily routine
     c.  their daily root teen
     d.  their daily looting

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Many people around the (1) ____________________ many steps they walk every day. This is due to studies that suggest 10,000 steps a                       (2) ____________________ to help us stay healthy and live longer. A new study says just 4,000 steps a day could be the magic number for us to live (3) ____________________ age. Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine analyzed 17 studies that looked                                (4) ____________________ people walked during the week. The scientists concluded that 4,000 steps per day reduced the (5) ____________________ from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other life-threatening conditions. Study author Dr Seth Shay Martin said 4,000 steps                                     (6) ____________________ 30- to 45-minute walk, or about three to four kilometres.

The study (7) ____________________ the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The research looked at health (8) ____________________ from more than 225,000 adults worldwide over seven years. They had an average age of 64. Some people were in good health, while (9) ____________________ heart problems. Dr Martin said his conclusion that 4,000 steps were beneficial was (10) ____________________. He said: "I wouldn't want people to look at that as a magical number, that you must walk that (11) ____________________. More is better." He added that walking an additional 1,000 steps per day is associated with a roughly 15 per cent lower risk of premature death. He said people should (12) ____________________ one walk to their daily routine.

Comprehension questions

  1. Who monitors the number of steps they walk?
  2. What might a magic number allow us to do?
  3. How many studies did the researchers look at?
  4. What diseases might walking 4,000 steps a day reduce the risk of?
  5. How long might it take to walk 4,000 steps?
  6. How many adults were part of the study?
  7. What was the average age of the people in the study?
  8. What did the lead researcher say was better?
  9. By how much might an additional 1,000 steps cut the risk of early death?
  10. What should people add to their daily routine?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who monitors the number of steps they walk?
a) many people around the world
b) old people
c) athletes
d) people with heart problems
2) What might a magic number allow us to do?
a) do magic
b) be rich
c) live well into old age
d) walk longer distances
3) How many studies did the researchers look at?
a) 16
b) 17
c) 18
d) 19
4) What diseases might walking 4,000 steps a day reduce the risk of?
a) deadly diseases
b) curable diseases
c) tropical diseases
d) cardiovascular diseases
5)  How long might it take to walk 4,000 steps?
a) 30-45 minutes
b) 25-30 minutes
c) 40-45 minutes
d) 45-55 minutes

6) How many adults were part of the study?
a) about 225,000
b) fewer than 225,000
c) exactly 225,000
d) more than 225,000
7) What was the average age of the people in the study?
a) 65
b) 64
c) 63
d) 62
8) What did the lead researcher say was better?
a) walking slow
b) walking fast
c) walking boots
d) more (walking)
9) By how much might an additional 1,000 steps cut the risk of early death?
a) exactly 15%
b) just over 15%
c) roughly 15%
d) just under 15%
10) What should people add to their daily routine?
a) 4,000 more steps
b) at least one walk
c) monitoring their steps
d) a walk in a park

Role play

Role  A – Walking
You think walking is the best way to live longer. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their ways aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sleep, good food or exercise.

Role  B – Sleep
You think sleep is the best way to live longer. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their ways aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): walking, good food or exercise.

Role  C – Good Food
You think good food is the best way to live longer. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their ways aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sleep, walking or exercise.

Role  D – Exercise
You think exercise is the best way to live longer. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their ways aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least effective of these (and why): sleep, good food or walking.

After reading / listening

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

'walking'

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

    • and 'life'.

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

    • • 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:

    • monitor
    • stay
    • magic
    • far
    • dying
    • three
    • data
    • seven
    • conclusion
    • exact
    • lower
    • daily

    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 - Walking

    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 'walk'?
    3. How much do you like walking?
    4. How far do you walk every day?
    5. Do you think walking is a good form of exercise?
    6. How could you increase the number of steps you walk?
    7. Would you rather walk or run?
    8. How good is walking for our health?
    9. What's the farthest you could walk?
    10. Would you walk more to live longer?

    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 'life'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you do to look after your health?
    5. Where's the best place to go for a walk?
    6. Do you prefer walking alone or with friends?
    7. Do you monitor your daily steps on your smartphone?
    8. Should we get off the bus a stop early?
    9. Is it important to have good walking shoes?
    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)

    Many people around the world (1) ____ how many steps they walk every day. This is (2) ____ to studies that suggest 10,000 steps a day is enough to help us stay healthy and live longer. A new study says just 4,000 steps a day could be the magic number for (3) ____ to live well into old age. Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine analyzed 17 studies that looked at how far people walked (4) ____ the week. The scientists concluded that 4,000 steps per day reduced the risk (5) ____ dying from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other life-threatening conditions. Study author Dr Seth Shay Martin said 4,000 steps is (6) ____ a 30- to 45-minute walk, or about three to four kilometres.

    The study is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The research looked at health and exercise (7) ____ from more than 225,000 adults worldwide over seven years. They had an average age (8) ____ 64. Some people were in good health, while others suffered from heart problems. Dr Martin said his conclusion that 4,000 steps were (9) ____ was a minimum amount. He said: "I wouldn't want people to look at that as a magical number, that you must walk that (10) ____ step count. More is better." He added that walking an additional 1,000 steps per day is associated (11) ____ a roughly 15 per cent lower risk of premature death. He said people should add at (12) ____ one walk to their daily routine.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     meant     (b)     monument     (c)     manner     (d)     monitor    
    2. (a)     that     (b)     because     (c)     what     (d)     due    
    3. (a)     we     (b)     us     (c)     all     (d)     them    
    4. (a)     last     (b)     next     (c)     during     (d)     all    
    5. (a)     as     (b)     to     (c)     of     (d)     by    
    6. (a)     roughly     (b)     standard     (c)     mean     (d)     average    
    7. (a)     number     (b)     data     (c)     statistic     (d)     figure    
    8. (a)     of     (b)     by     (c)     as     (d)     on    
    9. (a)     benefit     (b)     beneficial     (c)     benefits     (d)     beneficially    
    10. (a)     enact     (b)     action     (c)     exact     (d)     tact    
    11. (a)     on     (b)     to     (c)     with     (d)     but    
    12. (a)     lost     (b)     lest     (c)     last     (d)     least

     

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. nmtioor how many steps they walk
    2. laaynezd 17 studies
    3. the risk of dying from ibdteaes
    4. cardiovascular iaessdes
    5. other life-eteatrnihng conditions
    6. ougrlhy a 30- to 45-minute walk

    Paragraph 2

    1. an vreaage age of 64
    2. 4,000 steps were niefecibal
    3. a inimmum amount
    4. walking an diaoitndal 1,000 steps
    5. a roughly 15 per cent lower risk of eptamurre death
    6. their daily iurtone

    Put the text back together

    (...)   The study is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The research looked at health
    (...)   and exercise data from more than 225,000 adults worldwide over seven years. They had an average
    (...)   conclusion that 4,000 steps were beneficial was a minimum amount. He said: "I wouldn't want people
    (...)   age. Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine analyzed 17 studies that looked
    (...)   conditions. Study author Dr Seth Shay Martin said 4,000 steps is roughly a 30- to 45-minute walk, or about three to four kilometres.
    (  1  )  Many people around the world monitor how many steps they walk every day. This is due
    (...)   better." He added that walking an additional 1,000 steps per day is associated with a roughly 15 per cent lower
    (...)   age of 64. Some people were in good health, while others suffered from heart problems. Dr Martin said his
    (...)   day reduced the risk of dying from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other life-threatening
    (...)   at how far people walked during the week. The scientists concluded that 4,000 steps per
    (...)   risk of premature death. He said people should add at least one walk to their daily routine.
    (...)   to look at that as a magical number, that you must walk that exact step count. More is
    (...)   to studies that suggest 10,000 steps a day is enough to help us stay healthy and live
    (...)   longer. A new study says just 4,000 steps a day could be the magic number for us to live well into old

    Put the words in the right order

    1. they   steps   every   many   how   day   .   Monitor   walk
    2. steps   is   They   a   10,000   day   suggest   enough   .
    3. for   well   .   magic   The   to   us   live   number
    4. walked   .   that   how   Studies   looked   people   far   at
    5. Diabetes, cardiovascular and life-threatening diseases conditions . other
    6. than   more   from   225,000   Exercise   adults   worldwide   .   data
    7. age   They   64   .   average   of   an   had
    8. exact   You   walk   count   .   step   that   must
    9. risk   death   .   15 per cent   premature   of   lower   cent   roughly   A
    10. at   least   one   walk   .   add   should   People

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Many people around the world monitor how many steps they walk every daily / day. This is due to studies that suggestion / suggest 10,000 steps a day is enough to help us stay healthy and live lengthen / longer. A new study says just 4,000 steps a day could be the magic / magician number for us to live good / well into old age. Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine analyzed 17 studies / studious that looked at how far people walked daring / during the week. The scientists concluded that 4,000 steps per day reduced the risk for / of dying from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and other life-threatening conditions / condition. Study author Dr Seth Shay Martin said 4,000 steps is roughly / rough a 30- to 45-minute walk, or about three to four kilometres.

    The study is published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The research looked to / at health and exercise data from more than 225,000 adults worldwide under / over seven years. They had an average age of 64. Some people were in good / well health, while others suffered for / from heart problems. Dr Martin said his conclusion that 4,000 steps were beneficial / benefit was a minimum amount. He said: "I wouldn't want people to look at that / what as a magical number, that you must walk that exactly / exact step count. More is better." He added that walking an additional / addition 1,000 steps per day is associated on / with a roughly 15 per cent lower risk of premature die / death. He said people should add at least / last one walk to their daily routine.

    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)

    M_ny  p__pl_  _r__nd  th_  w_rld  m_n_t_r  h_w  m_ny  st_ps  th_y  w_lk  _v_ry  d_y.  Th_s  _s  d__  t_  st_d__s  th_t  s_gg_st  10,000  st_ps  _  d_y  _s  _n__gh  t_  h_lp  _s  st_y  h__lthy  _nd  l_v_  l_ng_r.  _  n_w  st_dy  s_ys  j_st  4,000  st_ps  _  d_y  c__ld  b_  th_  m_g_c  n_mb_r  f_r  _s  t_  l_v_  w_ll  _nt_  _ld  _g_.  R_s__rch_rs  fr_m  th_  J_hns  H_pk_ns  _n_v_rs_ty  _f  M_d_c_n_  _n_lyz_d  17  st_d__s  th_t  l__k_d  _t  h_w  f_r  p__pl_  w_lk_d  d_r_ng  th_  w__k.  Th_  sc__nt_sts  c_ncl_d_d  th_t  4,000  st_ps  p_r  d_y  r_d_c_d  th_  r_sk  _f  dy_ng  fr_m  d__b_t_s,  c_rd__v_sc_l_r  d_s__s_s  _nd  _th_r  l_f_-thr__t_n_ng  c_nd_t__ns.  St_dy  __th_r  Dr  S_th  Sh_y  M_rt_n  s__d  4,000  st_ps  _s  r__ghly  _  30-  t_  45-m_n_t_  w_lk,  _r  _b__t  thr__  t_  f__r  k_l_m_tr_s.

    Th_  st_dy  _s  p_bl_sh_d  _n  th_  __r_p__n  J__rn_l  _f  Pr_v_nt_v_  C_rd__l_gy.  Th_  r_s__rch  l__k_d  _t  h__lth  _nd  _x_rc_s_  d_t_  fr_m  m_r_  th_n  225,000  _d_lts  w_rldw_d_  _v_r  s_v_n  y__rs.  Th_y  h_d  _n  _v_r_g_  _g_  _f  64.  S_m_  p__pl_  w_r_  _n  g__d  h__lth,  wh_l_  _th_rs  s_ff_r_d  fr_m  h__rt  pr_bl_ms.  Dr  M_rt_n  s__d  h_s  c_ncl_s__n  th_t  4,000  st_ps  w_r_  b_n_f_c__l  w_s  _  m_n_m_m  _m__nt.  H_  s__d:  "_  w__ldn't  w_nt  p__pl_  t_  l__k  _t  th_t  _s  _  m_g_c_l  n_mb_r,  th_t  y__  m_st  w_lk  th_t  _x_ct  st_p  c__nt.  M_r_  _s  b_tt_r."  H_  _dd_d  th_t  w_lk_ng  _n  _dd_t__n_l  1,000  st_ps  p_r  d_y  _s  _ss_c__t_d  w_th  _  r__ghly  15  p_r  c_nt  l_w_r  r_sk  _f  pr_m_t_r_  d__th.  H_  s__d  p__pl_  sh__ld  _dd  _t  l__st  _n_  w_lk  t_  th__r  d__ly  r__t_n_.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    many people around the world monitor how many steps they walk every day this is due to studies that suggest 10000 steps a day is enough to help us stay healthy and live longer a new study says just 4000 steps a day could be the magic number for us to live well into old age researchers from the johns hopkins university of medicine analyzed 17 studies that looked at how far people walked during the week the scientists concluded that 4000 steps per day reduced the risk of dying from diabetes cardiovascular diseases and other lifethreatening conditions study author dr seth shay martin said 4000 steps is roughly a 30 to 45minute walk or about three to four kilometres

    the study is published in the european journal of preventive cardiology the research looked at health and exercise data from more than 225000 adults worldwide over seven years they had an average age of 64 some people were in good health while others suffered from heart problems dr martin said his conclusion that 4000 steps were beneficial was a minimum amount he said i wouldnt want people to look at that as a magical number that you must walk that exact step count more is better he added that walking an additional 1000 steps per day is associated with a roughly 15 per cent lower risk of premature death he said people should add at least one walk to their daily routine

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Manypeoplearoundtheworldmonitorhowmanystepstheywalkeveryd
    ay.Thisisduetostudiesthatsuggest10,000stepsadayisenoughtohelp
    usstayhealthyandlivelonger.Anewstudysaysjust4,000stepsadayco
    uldbethemagicnumberforustolivewellintooldage.Researchersfromt
    heJohnsHopkinsUniversityofMedicineanalyzed17studiesthatlooked
    athowfarpeoplewalkedduringtheweek.Thescientistsconcludedthat4
    ,000stepsperdayreducedtheriskofdyingfromdiabetes,cardiovascula
    rdiseasesandotherlife-threateningconditions.StudyauthorDrSethS
    hayMartinsaid4,000stepsisroughlya30-to45-minutewalk,oraboutt
    hreetofourkilometres.ThestudyispublishedintheEuropeanJournalof
    PreventiveCardiology.Theresearchlookedathealthandexercisedataf
    rommorethan225,000adultsworldwideoversevenyears.Theyhadan
    averageageof64.Somepeoplewereingoodhealth,whileotherssuffere
    dfromheartproblems.DrMartinsaidhisconclusionthat4,000stepswer
    ebeneficialwasaminimumamount.Hesaid:"Iwouldn'twantpeopletolo
    okatthatasamagicalnumber,thatyoumustwalkthatexactstepcount.
    Moreisbetter."Headdedthatwalkinganadditional1,000stepsperdayis
    associatedwitharoughly15percentlowerriskofprematuredeath.Hesa
    idpeopleshouldaddatleastonewalktotheirdailyroutine.

    Free writing

    Write about walking for a longer life for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    We should all monitor the number of steps we walk each day. 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. WALKING: Make a poster about walking. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. WALKING CLUBS: Write a magazine article about governments setting up walking clubs to keep people healthy. 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 walking. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can walk more. 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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