The Reading / Listening - Eczema and Itchiness - Level 3

One of the most annoying things in life is an itch that won't go away. Scientists have worked for decades to find out why we itch, and to find a cure. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in the USA have discovered that skin bacteria make us itch when they interact with our nerve cells. Lead researcher Liwen Deng said the bacteria are linked to many diseases that cause itchiness. The most common disease is eczema. Dr Leng wrote: "It's not the nicest bug to have on you, for sure. Many patients carry on their skin the very microbe we've now shown for the first time can induce itch." She added that: "Itches can be quite debilitating in patients who suffer from chronic skin conditions."

Dr Leng and her colleagues conducted their research on mice. They found an enzyme (which they dubbed V8) that was responsible for itching in the test mice. The V8 enzyme triggered a protein that made the mice itch. The scientists engineered the protein and developed a drug to stop it making the mice itch. The drug could be used to make anti-itch medication. This could block the itching process in humans. This is good news for eczema sufferers. Eczema affects around 245 million people globally. As well as itchiness, sufferers often get redness on their skin and a rash. They may also get small blisters and a thickening of the skin. Eczema is twice as common in females as it is in males.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Eczema and Itchiness - Level 0,  Eczema and Itchiness - Level 1   or  Eczema and Itchiness - Level 2

Sources
  • https://news.sky.com/story/why-do-we-itch-scientists-have-been-scratching-their-heads-and-now-have-the-answer-13013524
  • https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/67519448
  • https://hms.harvard.edu/news/new-clues-head-scratching-mystery-itch


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. ITCHINESS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about itchiness. 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?
       annoying things / itch / decades / cure / skin / bacteria / diseases / patients / suffer /
       colleagues / enzyme / protein / drug / humans / globally / redness / rash / blisters
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. DISEASES: Students A strongly believe we should spend more money on curing diseases than on armies and weapons; Students B strongly believe the opposite. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. ITCHES: What do you think about itches in these places? How can you make them go away? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What You Think

Making The Itch Disappear

Your eye

 

 

Your armpit

 

 

Your toes

 

 

Your nose

 

 

Your stomach

 

 

Your knee

 

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

  • An itchy nose
  • Pins and needles
  • A headache
  • Cannot sleep
  • Back pain
  • Dizziness
  • Sniffing
  • Sore throat

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. annoying a. A large group of one-cell microorganisms that can cause disease.
      2. decade b. End a disease or condition with medicine or help from doctors and nurses.
      3. cure c. A period of ten years.
      4. discovered d. Of a disease or condition that makes someone very weak.
      5. bacteria e. Causing a feeling of impatience or anger.
      6. cell f. Was the first to find a place, thing, or medical situation.
      7. debilitating g. The very smallest part of a living thing.

    Paragraph 2

      8. colleague h. Organized and carried out.
      9. conducted i. Actions or steps taken in order to reach a particular goal or end.
      10. triggered j. A small bubble on the skin filled with water or blood and caused by friction, burning, or other damage.
      11. medication k. Caused an event or situation to happen.
      12. process l. A person who is affected by an illness.
      13. sufferer m. A drug or other form of medicine that is used to treat or stop disease.
      14. blister n. A person with whom one works in a profession or business.

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. The article says an itch is the most annoying thing in life.     T / F
  2. Researchers have tried for decades to find a cure for itching.     T / F
  3. Itchiness is caused by bacteria in our skin.     T / F
  4. A researcher said the bacteria that causes itching is not the nicest bug.   T / F
  5. Researchers carried out tests on itching in rats.     T / F
  6. The researchers made a drug to stop itching in their test animals.     T / F
  7. Around 245 million people around the world suffer from eczema.     T / F
  8. Men are twice as likely as women to have eczema.     T / F

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

  1. annoying
  2. cure
  3. linked
  4. debilitating
  5. chronic
  6. colleagues
  7. triggered
  8. block
  9. globally
  10. common
  1. stop
  2. long-term
  3. treatment
  4. caused
  5. worldwide
  6. irritating
  7. prevalent
  8. connected
  9. co-workers
  10. tiring

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

  1. One of the most annoying things in life
  2. Scientists have worked for decades
  3. bacteria are linked to many
  4. It's not the nicest
  5. patients who suffer from chronic
  6. Dr Leng and her colleagues conducted
  7. The drug could be used to make
  8. This is good news for
  9. They may also get small
  10. Eczema is twice as common in
  1. females as it is in males
  2. diseases that cause itchiness
  3. anti-itch medication
  4. skin conditions
  5. blisters
  6. is an itch that won't go away
  7. their research on mice
  8. bug to have on you
  9. eczema sufferers
  10. to find out why we itch

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
discovered
common
annoying
suffer
diseases
cause
decades
carry

One of the most (1) _____________________ things in life is an itch that won't go away. Scientists have worked for (2) _____________________ to find out why we itch, and to find a cure. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in the USA have (3) _____________________ that skin bacteria make us itch when they interact with our nerve cells. Lead researcher Liwen Deng said the bacteria are linked to many (4) _____________________ that cause itchiness. The most (5) _____________________ disease is eczema. Dr Leng wrote: "It's not the nicest bug to have on you, for sure. Many patients (6) _____________________ on their skin the very microbe we've now shown for the first time can (7) _____________________ itching." She added that: "Itches can be quite debilitating in patients who (8) _____________________ from chronic skin conditions."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
females
responsible
process
colleagues
blisters
making
engineered
globally

Dr Leng and her (9) _____________________ conducted their research on mice. They found an enzyme (which they dubbed V8) that was (10) _____________________ for itching in the test mice. The V8 enzyme triggered a protein that made the mice itch. The scientists (11) _____________________ the protein and developed a drug to stop it (12) _____________________ the mice itch. The drug could be used to make anti-itch medication. This could block the itching (13) _____________________ in humans. This is good news for eczema sufferers. Eczema affects around 245 million people (14) _____________________. As well as itchiness, sufferers often get redness on their skin and a rash. They may also get small (15) _____________________ and a thickening of the skin. Eczema is twice as common in (16) _____________________ as it is in males.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) One of the most annoying things in life is an itch that ______
     a.  won't goer way
     b.  won't go way
     c.  won't gore way
     d.  won't go away
2)  Scientists have worked for decades to find out why we itch, and to ______
     a.  find a cure
     b.  find a lure
     c.  find a pure
     d.  find a sure
3)  discovered that skin bacteria make us itch when they interact with ______
     a.  our nerve sells
     b.  our nerve calls
     c.  our nerve sales
     d.  our nerve cells
4)  Dr Leng wrote: "It's not the nicest bug to have on ______."
     a.  you, for sures
     b.  you, four sure
     c.  you, fissure
     d.  you, for sure
5)  Itches can be quite debilitating in patients who suffer from ______
     a.  chronic skin conditions
     b.  chronic skins conditions
     c.  chronic skinny conditions
     d.  chronic skinned conditions

6)  They found an enzyme (which ______)
     a.  they daubed V8
     b.  they dabbed V8
     c.  they dubbed V8
     d.  they bud V8
7)  The drug could be used to make ______
     a.  anti-itch medicated
     b.  anti-itch medicates
     c.  anti-itch medicating
     d.  anti-itch medication
8)  This is good news for eczema sufferers. Eczema affects around 245 ______
     a.  million peoples globally
     b.  million peopled globally
     c.  million people globally
     d.  million peep all globally
9)  As well as itchiness, sufferers often get redness on their skin ______
     a.  and a lash
     b.  and abashed
     c.  and are rash
     d.  and a rash
10)  Eczema is twice as common in females as it ______.
     a.  is in mails
     b.  is in mauls
     c.  is in mules
     d.  is in males

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

One of the most (1) ____________________ life is an itch that won't go away. Scientists have worked (2) ____________________ find out why we itch, and to find a cure. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in the USA have discovered that skin bacteria make (3) ____________________ they interact with our nerve cells. Lead researcher Liwen Deng said the bacteria are linked to many diseases that cause itchiness. The (4) ____________________ is eczema. Dr Leng wrote: "It's not the nicest bug to have on you, for sure. Many patients carry on their skin (5) ____________________ we've now shown for the first time can cause itching." She added that: "Itches can be quite debilitating in (6) ____________________ from chronic skin conditions."

Dr Leng and (7) ____________________ their research on mice. They found an enzyme (which they dubbed V8) that was responsible for itching in the test mice. The V8 enzyme triggered (8) ____________________ made the mice itch. The scientists engineered the protein and (9) ____________________ to stop it making the mice itch. The drug could be used to make anti-itch medication. This could block the itching (10) ____________________. This is good news for eczema sufferers. Eczema affects around 245 million people globally. As well as itchiness, sufferers often get redness on their skin and a rash. They may also (11) ____________________ and a thickening of the skin. Eczema is (12) ____________________ in females as it is in males.

Comprehension questions

  1. What does the article say an itch that won't go away is one of?
  2. In which university was the research conducted?
  3. What does the skin bacteria interact with?
  4. What is the name of the most common disease that causes itching?
  5. For whom can itches be debilitating?
  6. In what creatures did researchers conduct their research?
  7. What did the researchers call the enzyme they found?
  8. What did the enzyme trigger?
  9. How many people in the world suffer from eczema?
  10. How much likelier is it that females will have eczema?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What does the article say an itch that won't go away is one of?
a) the things we have to accept
b) the things that drive you crazy
c) the most annoying things in life
d) many things we have to live with
2) In which university was the research conducted?
a) Harvard Medical School
b) MIT
c) UCLA
d) New York University
3) What does the skin bacteria interact with?
a) hair follicles
b) nerve cells
c) hair
d) sunburned skin
4) What is the name of the most common disease that causes itching?
a) edema
b) emphysema
c) asthma
d) eczema
5) For whom can itches be debilitating?
a) people with lots of body hair
b) older people
c) people with chronic skin conditions
d) older bald or balding men

6) In what creatures did researchers conduct their research?
a) snails
b) mice
c) goldfish
d) chimpanzees
7) What did the researchers call the enzyme they found?
a) V6
b) V4
c) V12
d) V8
8) What did the enzyme trigger?
a) a sugar
b) a protein
c) a fat
d) a carbohydrate
9) How many people in the world suffer from eczema?
a) fewer than 245 million
b) around 245 million
c) more than 245 million
d) exactly 245 million
10) How much likelier is it that females will have eczema?
a) twice as likely
b) three times as likely
c) 10 times as likely
d) 100 hundred times as likely

Role play

Role  A – An Itchy Nose
You think an itchy nose is the most annoying thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): pins and needles, being unable to sleep or sniffing.

Role  B – Pins and Needles
You think pins and needles is the most annoying thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): an itchy nose, being unable to sleep or sniffing.

Role  C – Being Unable to Sleep
You think being unable to sleep is the most annoying thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): pins and needles, an itchy nose or sniffing.

Role  D – Sniffing
You think sniffing is the most annoying thing. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their things aren't as annoying. Also, tell the others which is the least annoying of these (and why): pins and needles, being unable to sleep or an itchy nose.

After reading / listening

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

'cure'

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

    • and 'itch'.

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

    • • 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:

    • annoying
    • cure
    • nerve
    • linked
    • bug
    • quite
    • conducted
    • test
    • developed
    • block
    • million
    • males

    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 - Eczema and Itchiness

    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 'cure'?
    3. What things in life are most annoying?
    4. What do you know about eczema?
    5. How annoying is itchy skin?
    6. What do you do when you have an itch?
    7. What do you do when you have an itch that won't go away?
    8. Why do we itch?
    9. What are the best things to put on an itch?
    10. What do you do to look after your skin?

    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 'itch'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Why is scratching your head a sign of thinking?
    5. Should research be done on mice?
    6. How often do you get redness or rashes?
    7. How often do you get a blister?
    8. Why is eczema more common in females?
    9. How often do you scratch?
    10. What questions would you like to ask the scientists?

    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)

    One of the (1) ____ annoying things in life is an itch that won't go away. Scientists have worked for (2) ____ to find out why we itch, and to find a cure. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in the USA have discovered that skin bacteria make (3) ____ itch when they interact with our nerve cells. Lead researcher Liwen Deng said the bacteria are linked (4) ____ many diseases that cause itchiness. The most common disease is eczema. Dr Leng wrote: "It's not the nicest bug to have on you, for sure. Many patients carry on their skin the (5) ____ microbe we've now shown for the first time can cause itching." She added that: "Itches can be quite debilitating in patients who suffer (6) ____ chronic skin conditions."

    Dr Leng and her colleagues (7) ____ their research on mice. They found an enzyme (which they dubbed V8) that was responsible for itching in the test mice. The V8 enzyme triggered a protein that (8) ____ the mice itch. The scientists engineered the protein and developed a drug to stop it making the mice itch. The drug could be used to make anti-itch medication. This could (9) ____ the itching process in humans. This is good news for eczema sufferers. Eczema affects around 245 million people globally. As (10) ____ as itchiness, sufferers often get redness on their skin and a (11) ____. They may also get small blisters and a thickening of the skin. Eczema is (12) ____ as common in females as it is in males.

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     most     (b)     mast     (c)     must     (d)     mist    
    2. (a)     decadence     (b)     decants     (c)     decades     (d)     decides    
    3. (a)     all     (b)     our     (c)     us     (d)     we    
    4. (a)     in     (b)     at     (c)     of     (d)     to    
    5. (a)     very     (b)     totally     (c)     really     (d)     too    
    6. (a)     at     (b)     from     (c)     of     (d)     on    
    7. (a)     conduct     (b)     conducting     (c)     conducts     (d)     conducted    
    8. (a)     did     (b)     made     (c)     had     (d)     took    
    9. (a)     back     (b)     brick     (c)     block     (d)     book    
    10. (a)     good     (b)     nice     (c)     real     (d)     well    
    11. (a)     dash     (b)     cash     (c)     bash     (d)     rash    
    12. (a)     duo     (b)     twice     (c)     double     (d)     two

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. One of the most ynnonaig things in life
    2. Scientists have worked for deedsca
    3. skin aacrbtie make us itch
    4. linked to many aissdees
    5. Itches can be quite atiigblntedi
    6. rccnoih skin conditions

    Paragraph 2

    1. Dr Leng and her osealuclge
    2. a irnpoet that made the mice itch
    3. make anti-itch aeincimdto
    4. block the itching rscopse in humans
    5. Eczema stafefc around 245 million people
    6. They may also get small sriebtsl

    Put the text back together

    (...)   discovered that skin bacteria make us itch when they interact with our nerve cells. Lead
    (...)   Dr Leng and her colleagues conducted their research on mice. They found an
    (...)   making the mice itch. The drug could be used to make anti-itch medication. This could block the itching process in
    (...)   researcher Liwen Deng said the bacteria are linked to many diseases that cause itchiness. The most
    (...)   sufferers often get redness on their skin and a rash. They may also get small
    (  1  )  One of the most annoying things in life is an itch that won't go away. Scientists have worked for
    (...)   decades to find out why we itch, and to find a cure. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in the USA have
    (...)   blisters and a thickening of the skin. Eczema is twice as common in females as it is in males.
    (...)   time can cause itching." She added that: "Itches can be quite debilitating in patients who suffer from chronic skin conditions."
    (...)   common disease is eczema. Dr Leng wrote: "It's not the nicest bug to have on you, for
    (...)   enzyme (which they dubbed V8) that was responsible for itching in the test mice. The V8 enzyme triggered a protein
    (...)   humans. This is good news for eczema sufferers. Eczema affects around 245 million people globally. As well as itchiness,
    (...)   that made the mice itch. The scientists engineered the protein and developed a drug to stop it
    (...)   sure. Many patients carry on their skin the very microbe we've now shown for the first

    Put the words in the right order

    annoying   life   .   in   One   of   the   things   most
    out   .   Scientists   find   for   to   have   decades   worked
    Bacteria   cause   diseases   are   itchiness   .   to   that   linked
    nicest   to   the   not   is   It   have   .   bug
    skin   conditions   .   chronic   who   in   Debilitating   patients   have
    on   colleagues   mice   .   their   research   her   All   conducted
    drug   to   could   help   anti-itch   The   make   medication   .
    news   eczema   is   for   very   This   good   sufferers   .
    affects   245   people   Eczema   globally   .   around   million
    as   Eczema   twice   in   is   females   .   common

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    One of the most / must annoying things in life is an itchy / itch that won't go away. Scientists have worked to / for decades to find out why we itch, and to find a cure. Researchers at Harvard Medical School in the USA have discovered / discovery that skin bacteria make us itch when they interactive / interact with our nerve sells / cells. Lead researcher Liwen Deng said the bacteria are linked to / on many diseases that cause itchiness. The most common disease is eczema. Dr Leng wrote: "It's not the / a nicest bug to have on you, for sure. Many patients carry on their skin the really / very microbe we've now shown for the first time can cause itching." She added that: "Itches can be quite debilitating in / of patients who suffer from chronic skin conditions."

    Dr Leng and her colleagues contracted / conducted their research on mice. They found an enzyme (which they dabbed / dubbed V8) that was responsible for itching in / on the test mice. The V8 enzyme triggered a protein that made the mouse / mice itch. The scientists engineered the protein and developed a drug to stop it / them making the mice itch. The drug could be used to make anti-itch medication. This could dock / block the itching process in humans. This is good news for eczema suffers / sufferers. Eczema affects / affecting around 245 million people globally. As well as itchiness, sufferers often get readiness / redness on their skin and a rash. They may also get small blisters and a thickening of the skin. Eczema is twice as common / commonly in females as it is in males.

    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)

    _n_  _f  th_  m_st  _nn_y_ng  th_ngs  _n  l_f_  _s  _n  _tch  th_t  w_n't  g_  _w_y.  Sc__nt_sts  h_v_  w_rk_d  f_r  d_c_d_s  t_  f_nd  __t  why  w_  _tch,  _nd  t_  f_nd  _  c_r_.  R_s__rch_rs  _t  H_rv_rd  M_d_c_l  Sch__l  _n  th_  _S_  h_v_  d_sc_v_r_d  th_t  sk_n  b_ct_r__  m_k_  _s  _tch  wh_n  th_y  _nt_r_ct  w_th  __r  n_rv_  c_lls.  L__d  r_s__rch_r  L_w_n  D_ng  s__d  th_  b_ct_r__  _r_  l_nk_d  t_  m_ny  d_s__s_s  th_t  c__s_  _tch_n_ss.  Th_  m_st  c_mm_n  d_s__s_  _s  _cz_m_.  Dr  L_ng  wr_t_:  "_t's  n_t  th_  n_c_st  b_g  t_  h_v_  _n  y__,  f_r  s_r_.  M_ny  p_t__nts  c_rry  _n  th__r  sk_n  th_  v_ry  m_cr_b_  w_'v_  n_w  sh_wn  f_r  th_  f_rst  t_m_  c_n  c__s_  _tch_ng."  Sh_  _dd_d  th_t:  "_tch_s  c_n  b_  q__t_  d_b_l_t_t_ng  _n  p_t__nts  wh_  s_ff_r  fr_m  chr_n_c  sk_n  c_nd_t__ns."

    Dr  L_ng  _nd  h_r  c_ll__g__s  c_nd_ct_d  th__r  r_s__rch  _n  m_c_.  Th_y  f__nd  _n  _nzym_  (wh_ch  th_y  d_bb_d  V8)  th_t  w_s  r_sp_ns_bl_  f_r  _tch_ng  _n  th_  t_st  m_c_.  Th_  V8  _nzym_  tr_gg_r_d  _  pr_t__n  th_t  m_d_  th_  m_c_  _tch.  Th_  sc__nt_sts  _ng_n__r_d  th_  pr_t__n  _nd  d_v_l_p_d  _  dr_g  t_  st_p  _t  m_k_ng  th_  m_c_  _tch.  Th_  dr_g  c__ld  b_  _s_d  t_  m_k_  _nt_-_tch  m_d_c_t__n.  Th_s  c__ld  bl_ck  th_  _tch_ng  pr_c_ss  _n  h_m_ns.  Th_s  _s  g__d  n_ws  f_r  _cz_m_  s_ff_r_rs.  _cz_m_  _ff_cts  _r__nd  245  m_ll__n  p__pl_  gl_b_lly.  _s  w_ll  _s  _tch_n_ss,  s_ff_r_rs  _ft_n  g_t  r_dn_ss  _n  th__r  sk_n  _nd  _  r_sh.  Th_y  m_y  _ls_  g_t  sm_ll  bl_st_rs  _nd  _  th_ck_n_ng  _f  th_  sk_n.  _cz_m_  _s  tw_c_  _s  c_mm_n  _n  f_m_l_s  _s  _t  _s  _n  m_l_s.

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    one of the most annoying things in life is an itch that wont go away scientists have worked for decades to find out why we itch and to find a cure researchers at harvard medical school in the usa have discovered that skin bacteria make us itch when they interact with our nerve cells lead researcher liwen deng said the bacteria are linked to many diseases that cause itchiness the most common disease is eczema dr leng wrote its not the nicest bug to have on you for sure many patients carry on their skin the very microbe weve now shown for the first time can cause itching she added that itches can be quite debilitating in patients who suffer from chronic skin conditions

    dr leng and her colleagues conducted their research on mice they found an enzyme which they dubbed v8 that was responsible for itching in the test mice the v8 enzyme triggered a protein that made the mice itch the scientists engineered the protein and developed a drug to stop it making the mice itch the drug could be used to make antiitch medication this could block the itching process in humans this is good news for eczema sufferers eczema affects around 245 million people globally as well as itchiness sufferers often get redness on their skin and a rash they may also get small blisters and a thickening of the skin eczema is twice as common in females as it is in males

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Oneofthemostannoyingthingsinlifeisanitchthatwon'tgoaway.Scienti
    stshaveworkedfordecadestofindoutwhyweitch,andtofindacure.Res
    earchersatHarvardMedicalSchoolintheUSAhavediscoveredthatskin
    bacteriamakeusitchwhentheyinteractwithournervecells.Leadresear
    cherLiwenDengsaidthebacteriaarelinkedtomanydiseasesthatcausei
    tchiness.Themostcommondiseaseiseczema.DrLengwrote:"It'snott
    henicestbugtohaveonyou,forsure.Manypatientscarryontheirskinthe
    verymicrobewe'venowshownforthefirsttimecancauseitching."Shea
    ddedthat:"Itchescanbequitedebilitatinginpatientswhosufferfromchr
    onicskinconditions."DrLengandhercolleaguesconductedtheirresear
    chonmice.Theyfoundanenzyme(whichtheydubbedV8)thatwasrespo
    nsibleforitchinginthetestmice.TheV8enzymetriggeredaproteinthat
    madethemiceitch.Thescientistsengineeredtheproteinanddeveloped
    adrugtostopitmakingthemiceitch.Thedrugcouldbeusedtomakeanti-
    itchmedication.Thiscouldblocktheitchingprocessinhumans.Thisisgo
    odnewsforeczemasufferers.Eczemaaffectsaround245millionpeople
    globally.Aswellasitchiness,sufferersoftengetrednessontheirskinand
    arash.Theymayalsogetsmallblistersandathickeningoftheskin.Ecze
    maistwiceascommoninfemalesasitisinmales.

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    The best thing to do if we have an itch is ignore it. 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. ITCHINESS: Make a poster about itchiness. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. LIFESTYLE CHANGE: Write a magazine article about everyone changing their lifestyles so they don't interact with things that make them itch. 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 itchiness. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on what to do when you have an itch. 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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