Breaking News English Lesson: Seafood

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Seafood could have higher levels of 'forever chemicals' (18th April 2024)

The Reading / Listening - Seafood - Level 3

A new study has suggested that higher levels of "forever chemicals" may exist in seafood. Forever chemicals are man-made toxins that do not break down. They can stay in human blood and lead to a variety of health issues. These include cancer, kidney and liver problems, hormonal changes, and damage to the development of babies in the womb. Researchers from Dartmouth College in the USA said there should be safety guidelines for forever chemicals in seafood. They say that the level of these toxins is highest in marine creatures like shrimp, prawns and lobster. This could mean people who love sushi, sashimi and prawn cocktails may have to rethink their diet and eat a little less seafood.

Forever chemicals were developed in the 1930s. Since the 1950s, they have been used to make many products. They are commonly found in food packaging. Most of our food wrappers, take out containers, pizza boxes and other food holders contain the chemicals. Over the decades, these chemicals have entered our food chain. Researchers said they were in higher levels in seafood. Professor Megan Romano said she wanted people to continue to enjoy seafood, but to be aware of the risks. She said: "Our recommendation isn't to not eat seafood. Seafood is a great source of lean protein and omega fatty acids." She added it was important for people to understand more about what is in the food we eat.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

Seafood - Level 0, Seafood - Level 1 or Seafood - Level 2

Sources

https://scitechdaily.com/dartmouth-research-uncovers-hidden-dangers-in-popular-seafoods/
https://www.newsweek.com/warning-toxic-forever-chemical-risk-seafood-diet-1889465
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12403-024-00640-w

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. SEAFOOD: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about seafood. 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?
study / forever / chemicals / toxins / kidney / liver / babies / womb / sushi / prawns /
the 1950s / packaging / wrapper / pizza boxes / seafood / risks / protein / acids
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. WORRY LESS: Students A strongly believe we should worry less about what we eat; Students B strongly believe we should worry more. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. HEALTH ISSUES: How serious are these health issues? What can we do about them? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

	Seriousness	What We Can Do
Cancer
Kidney problems
Hormonal changes
Allergies
High blood pressure
Mental health

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. CHEMICAL: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "chemical". 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 best food at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

Seafood
Meat
Dairy
Nuts
Fast food
Fruit
Vegetables
Bread

Vocabulary

Paragraph 1

1.	exist	a.	A part inside your body that helps clean your blood and helps you digest food.
2.	toxin	b.	Something related to the sea or ocean.
3.	break down	c.	To be there, be real, or to be alive.
4.	variety	d.	Something that can make you sick or hurt you if you touch it, eat it, or breathe it.
5.	liver	e.	Different types of something.
6.	womb	f.	A special place inside a woman's body where a baby grows before it is born.
7.	marine	g.	When something big becomes smaller and smaller and smaller.

Paragraph 2

8.	chemical	h.	When someone tells you what they think you should do, be or try.
9.	commonly	i.	A period of ten years.
10.	packaging	j.	Something that covers something else, like the paper around a chocolate bar.
11.	wrapper	k.	Something made up of tiny things called atoms, with symbols like Fe, Ag, Pb, etc.
12.	decade	l.	Something in meat, fish, milk, etc. that helps your muscles and body grow.
13.	recommendation	m.	Happening a lot or is very usual.
14.	protein	n.	The material that covers or holds something (like food or a new computer) to protect it, like a box or a bag.

Before reading / listening

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

Forever chemicals are created naturally in nature. T / F
Forever chemicals can be harmful to babies in the womb. T / F
Dartmouth College has created a list of guidelines for eating seafood. T / F
People must decide whether to choose sushi or sashimi. T / F
Forever chemicals were first developed in the 1950s. T / F
The article says there are many forever chemicals in pizza. T / F
Our food chain now contains forever chemicals. T / F
Seafood is a great way of getting protein from non-fatty sources. T / F

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

study
variety
guidelines
toxins
diet
developed
commonly
entered
lean
eat

passed into
poisons
meals
created
often
diversity
non-fatty
report
consume
recommendations

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

man-made toxins that do not
These include cancer, kidney and
the development of babies
people who love sushi, sashimi
rethink their diet and eat
Forever chemicals were developed
food
these chemicals have entered our
Seafood is a great source
more about what is in

of lean protein
a little less seafood
in the 1930s
in the womb
the food we eat
and prawn cocktails
food chain
break down
wrappers
liver problems

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

womb
levels
marine
diet
safety
break
mean
liver

A new study has suggested that higher (1) _____________________ of "forever chemicals" may exist in seafood. Forever chemicals are man-made toxins that do not (2) _____________________ down. They can stay in human blood and lead to a variety of health issues. These include cancer, kidney and (3) _____________________ problems, hormonal changes, and damage to the development of babies in the (4) _____________________. Researchers from Dartmouth College in the USA said there should be (5) _____________________ guidelines for forever chemicals in seafood. They say that the level of these toxins is highest in (6) _____________________ creatures like shrimp, prawns and lobster. This could (7) _____________________ people who love sushi, sashimi and prawn cocktails may have to rethink their (8) _____________________ and eat a little less seafood.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.

wrappers
protein
risks
developed
more
commonly
chain
contain

Forever chemicals were (9) _____________________ in the 1930s. Since the 1950s, they have been used to make many products. They are (10) _____________________ found in food packaging. Most of our food (11) _____________________, take out containers, pizza boxes and other food holders (12) _____________________ the chemicals. Over the decades, these chemicals have entered our food (13) _____________________. Researchers said they were in higher levels in seafood. Professor Megan Romano said she wanted people to continue to enjoy seafood, but to be aware of the (14) _____________________. She said: "Our recommendation isn't to not eat seafood. Seafood is a great source of lean (15) _____________________ and omega fatty acids." She added it was important for people to understand (16) _____________________ about what is in the food we eat.

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) higher levels of "forever chemicals" may ______
     a. exit in seafood
     b. exits in seafood
     c. resist in seafood
     d. exist in seafood
2) Forever chemicals are ______
     a. man-made toxin
     b. man-made taxing
     c. man-made toxins
     d. man-made tuxedos
3) They say that the level of these toxins is highest ______
     a. in marine creatures
     b. in mariner creatures
     c. in marina creatures
     d. in marring creatures
4) This could mean people who love sushi, sashimi ______
     a. and brawn cocktails
     b. and prawn cocktails
     c. and brown cocktails
     d. and bran cocktails
5) have to rethink their diet and eat a ______
     a. little lest seafood
     b. little lesser seafood
     c. little lessen seafood
     d. little less seafood

6) Forever chemicals were developed ______
     a. in the 1930
     b. in the 1933
     c. in the 1930s
     d. in the 1913s
7) food wrappers, take out containers, pizza boxes and ______
     a. other food folders
     b. other food boulders
     c. other food holders
     d. other food borders
8) Over the decades, these chemicals have entered ______
     a. our food chain
     b. our food grain
     c. our food chime
     d. our food chin
9) Romano said she wanted people to continue to enjoy seafood, but to be aware ______
     a. of a risks
     b. off the risks
     c. of the risks
     d. of the risky
10) Seafood is a great source of lean protein and ______
     a. alpha fatty acids
     b. beta fatty acids
     c. delta fatty acids
     d. omega fatty acids

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new study has suggested (1) ____________________ of "forever chemicals" may exist in seafood. Forever chemicals are man-made toxins that do (2) ____________________. They can stay in human blood and lead to a variety of health issues. These include cancer, (3) ____________________ problems, hormonal changes, and damage to the development of babies in the womb. Researchers from Dartmouth College in the USA said there should (4) ____________________ for forever chemicals in seafood. They say that the level of these toxins is highest (5) ____________________ like shrimp, prawns and lobster. This could mean people who love sushi, sashimi and prawn cocktails may have to (6) ____________________ and eat a little less seafood.

Forever chemicals (7) ____________________ the 1930s. Since the 1950s, they have been used to make many products. They are commonly found in food packaging. Most of (8) ____________________, take out containers, pizza boxes and other food holders contain the chemicals. Over the decades, these chemicals have entered (9) ____________________. Researchers said they were in higher levels in seafood. Professor Megan Romano said she wanted people to continue to enjoy seafood, but (10) ____________________ of the risks. She said: "Our recommendation isn't to not eat seafood. Seafood is a (11) ____________________ lean protein and omega fatty acids." She added it was important for people to understand more about (12) ____________________ the food we eat.

Comprehension questions

Who or what makes the forever chemicals?
Where does the article say the forever chemicals can stay?
What can forever chemicals damage the development of?
What sea creatures did the article mention besides shrimp and prawns?
What might sushi and sashimi lovers have to rethink?
When were forever chemicals first used to make many products?
What have forever chemicals entered over the decades?
What does a professor want people to be aware of?
What did the professor say was a great source of lean protein?
What does the professor want people to understand more about?

Multiple choice quiz

1) Who or what makes the forever chemicals?
a) labs
b) factories
c) man
d) fishermen / fisherwomen
2) Where does the article say the forever chemicals can stay?
a) in our blood
b) in the environment
c) in our food
d) on the beach
3) What can forever chemicals damage the development of?
a) the oceans
b) babies in the womb
c) seafood
d) lobsters
4) What sea creatures did the article mention besides shrimp and prawns?
a) whales
b) sharks
c) crabs
d) lobsters
5) What might sushi and sashimi lovers have to rethink?
a) eating meat
b) where to eat
c) their diet
d) using soy sauce

6) When were forever chemicals first used to make many products?
a) the 1960s
b) the 1950s
c) the 1940s
d) the 1930s
7) What have forever chemicals entered over the decades?
a) many restaurants
b) many beaches
c) crabs
d) our food chain
8) What does a professor want people to be aware of?
a) the ocean
b) risks
c) chemical symbols
d) lobsters
9) What did the professor say was a great source of lean protein?
a) milk
b) seafood
c) chicken
d) nuts
10) What does the professor want people to understand more about?
a) What's in the food we eat.
b) lobsters
c) The lives of prawns
d) chemicals in our blood

Role play

Role A – Seafood
You think seafood is the best food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their food. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): meat, nuts or fruit.

Role B – Meat
You think meat is the best food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their food. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): fruit, nuts or seafood.

Role C – Nuts
You think nuts are the best food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their food. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): meat, fruit or seafood.

Role D – Fruit
You think fruit is the best food. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their food. Also, tell the others which is the least necessary of these (and why): meat, nuts or seafood.

After reading / listening

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

'forever'

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

and 'chemical'.
________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

________________

• 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:

exist

stay

lead

damage

like

little

used

other

chain

enjoy

great

important

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 - Seafood

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 'seafood'?
What do you think of seafood?
What's the best kind of seafood?
Do you worry about what you eat?
What do you know about 'forever chemicals'?
Is the food we eat becoming safer or more dangerous?
Should food have more safety guidelines?
Do you need to rethink your diet?
Do we worry too much about what is in the food we eat?

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 'chemical'?
What do you think about what you read?
How healthy do you think seafood is?
How much do you worry about forever chemicals?
What do you think of food packaging?
Should we be using plastic for food packaging?
Where do you get your protein from?
Which is better – sushi or sashimi?
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)

A new study has (1) ____ that higher levels of "forever chemicals" may exist in seafood. Forever chemicals are man-made toxins that do not break down. They can stay (2) ____ human blood and lead to a variety of health issues. These include cancer, kidney and liver problems, hormonal changes, and damage to the development (3) ____ babies in the womb. Researchers from Dartmouth College in the USA said there should be safety (4) ____ for forever chemicals in seafood. They say that the level of these toxins is highest in (5) ____ creatures like shrimp, prawns and lobster. This could mean people who love sushi, sashimi and prawn cocktails may have to (6) ____ their diet and eat a little less seafood.

Forever chemicals were developed (7) ____ the 1930s. Since the 1950s, they have been used to make many products. They are (8) ____ found in food packaging. Most of our food wrappers, take out containers, pizza boxes and other food holders contain the chemicals. (9) ____ the decades, these chemicals have entered our food chain. Researchers said they were in higher levels in seafood. Professor Megan Romano said she wanted people to continue to enjoy seafood, but to (10) ____ aware of the risks. She said: "Our recommendation isn't to (11) ____ eat seafood. Seafood is a great source of lean protein and omega fatty acids." She added it was (12) ____ for people to understand more about what is in the food we eat.

Which of these words go in the above text?

(a) suggests (b) suggested (c) suggesting (d) suggestive
(a) at (b) on (c) by (d) in
(a) up (b) of (c) down (d) at
(a) bylines (b) gridlines (c) guidelines (d) white lines
(a) marine (b) marina (c) mariner (d) marinated
(a) rethink (b) think (c) thinking (d) thinks
(a) as (b) on (c) at (d) in
(a) commonly (b) common (c) commons (d) commoner
(a) Passed (b) Over (c) In (d) Under
(a) do (b) have (c) be (d) take
(a) have (b) do (c) not (d) much
(a) importantly (b) important (c) importance (d) imported

Spelling

Paragraph 1

forever chemicals may xetis in seafood
ydknei and liver problems
babies in the owmb
there should be safety eliegidusn
earimn creatures like shrimp, prawns and lobster
rethink their eidt

Paragraph 2

chemicals were oleeddvep in the 1930s
commonly found in food aipkggcan
Over the dedaecs
be aware of the kriss
Seafood is a great usocer
lean rtipnoe

Put the text back together

(...) Forever chemicals were developed in the 1930s. Since the 1950s, they have been used to make many
(...) products. They are commonly found in food packaging. Most of our food wrappers, take out containers, pizza
(...) guidelines for forever chemicals in seafood. They say that the level of these toxins is highest in marine
(...) chain. Researchers said they were in higher levels in seafood. Professor Megan Romano said she wanted
(...) of babies in the womb. Researchers from Dartmouth College in the USA said there should be safety
(...) people to continue to enjoy seafood, but to be aware of the risks. She said: "Our recommendation isn't to not
(...) boxes and other food holders contain the chemicals. Over the decades, these chemicals have entered our food
(...) eat seafood. Seafood is a great source of lean protein and omega fatty acids." She added it was
(...) important for people to understand more about what is in the food we eat.
(...) made toxins that do not break down. They can stay in human blood and lead to a variety of health
(...) creatures like shrimp, prawns and lobster. This could mean people who
(...) love sushi, sashimi and prawn cocktails may have to rethink their diet and eat a little less seafood.
(..1..) A new study has suggested that higher levels of "forever chemicals" may exist in seafood. Forever chemicals are man-
(...) issues. These include cancer, kidney and liver problems, hormonal changes, and damage to the development

Put the words in the right order

of chemicals exist . levels forever Higher may
to variety Lead of a issues . health
guidelines There safety forever chemicals . should be for
these toxins level highest . is The of
and diet eat Rethink little a their less .
developed the Forever 1930s . chemicals were in
They make been to many have used products .
They are food found in commonly packaging .
a lean Seafood great protein . source of is
is in more about the what Understand food .

Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

A new study has suggest / suggested that higher levels of "forever chemicals" may exist / exits in seafood. Forever chemicals are man-made toxins that do not break down. They can stay in human blood and led / lead to a variety of health issues. These include cancer, kidney and river / liver problems, hormonal chances / changes, and damage to the development of babies in / on the womb. Researchers from Dartmouth College in the USA said there should be safety / safely guidelines for forever chemicals in seafood. They say that the level of these toxins is height / highest in marine creatures like shrimp, prawns and lobster. This could mean people who love / lovely sushi, sashimi and prawn cocktails may have to rethink their diet and eat a little / small less seafood.

Forever chemicals were develops / developed in the 1930s. Since the 1950s, they have been used to make many products / produce. They are commonly found in food packaging. Most of our food wrappers, take in / out containers, pizza boxes and other food holders contents / contain the chemicals. Over the decades, these chemicals have entry / entered our food chain. Researchers said they were in higher levels on / in seafood. Professor Megan Romano said she wanted people to continue to enjoy seafood, but to have / be aware of the risks. She said: "Our recommendation isn't to not eat seafood. Seafood is a great source / sauce of lean protein and omega fatty acids." She added it was important / importance for people to understand more about what is on / in the food we eat.

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_w st_dy h_s s_gg_st_d th_t h_gh_r l_v_ls _f "f_r_v_r ch_m_c_ls" m_y _x_st _n s__f__d. F_r_v_r ch_m_c_ls _r_ m_n-m_d_ t_x_ns th_t d_ n_t br__k d_wn. Th_y c_n st_y _n h_m_n bl__d _nd l__d t_ _ v_r__ty _f h__lth _ss__s. Th_s_ _ncl_d_ c_nc_r, k_dn_y _nd l_v_r pr_bl_ms, h_rm_n_l ch_ng_s, _nd d_m_g_ t_ th_ d_v_l_pm_nt _f b_b__s _n th_ w_mb. R_s__rch_rs fr_m D_rtm__th C_ll_g_ _n th_ _S_ s__d th_r_ sh__ld b_ s_f_ty g__d_l_n_s f_r f_r_v_r ch_m_c_ls _n s__f__d. Th_y s_y th_t th_ l_v_l _f th_s_ t_x_ns _s h_gh_st _n m_r_n_ cr__t_r_s l_k_ shr_mp, pr_wns _nd l_bst_r. Th_s c__ld m__n p__pl_ wh_ l_v_ s_sh_, s_sh_m_ _nd pr_wn c_ckt__ls m_y h_v_ t_ r_th_nk th__r d__t _nd __t _ l_ttl_ l_ss s__f__d.

F_r_v_r ch_m_c_ls w_r_ d_v_l_p_d _n th_ 1930s. S_nc_ th_ 1950s, th_y h_v_ b__n _s_d t_ m_k_ m_ny pr_d_cts. Th_y _r_ c_mm_nly f__nd _n f__d p_ck_g_ng. M_st _f __r f__d wr_pp_rs, t_k_ __t c_nt__n_rs, p_zz_ b_x_s _nd _th_r f__d h_ld_rs c_nt__n th_ ch_m_c_ls. _v_r th_ d_c_d_s, th_s_ ch_m_c_ls h_v_ _nt_r_d __r f__d ch__n. R_s__rch_rs s__d th_y w_r_ _n h_gh_r l_v_ls _n s__f__d. Pr_f_ss_r M_g_n R_m_n_ s__d sh_ w_nt_d p__pl_ t_ c_nt_n__ t_ _nj_y s__f__d, b_t t_ b_ _w_r_ _f th_ r_sks. Sh_ s__d: "__r r_c_mm_nd_t__n _sn't t_ n_t __t s__f__d. S__f__d _s _ gr__t s__rc_ _f l__n pr_t__n _nd _m_g_ f_tty _c_ds." Sh_ _dd_d _t w_s _mp_rt_nt f_r p__pl_ t_ _nd_rst_nd m_r_ _b__t wh_t _s _n th_ f__d w_ __t.

Punctuate the text and add capitals

a new study has suggested that higher levels of forever chemicals may exist in seafood forever chemicals are manmade toxins that do not break down they can stay in human blood and lead to a variety of health issues these include cancer kidney and liver problems hormonal changes and damage to the development of babies in the womb researchers from dartmouth college in the usa said there should be safety guidelines for forever chemicals in seafood they say that the level of these toxins is highest in marine creatures like shrimp prawns and lobster this could mean people who love sushi sashimi and prawn cocktails may have to rethink their diet and eat a little less seafood

forever chemicals were developed in the 1930s since the 1950s they have been used to make many products they are commonly found in food packaging most of our food wrappers take out containers pizza boxes and other food holders contain the chemicals over the decades these chemicals have entered our food chain researchers said they were in higher levels in seafood professor megan romano said she wanted people to continue to enjoy seafood but to be aware of the risks she said our recommendation isnt to not eat seafood seafood is a great source of lean protein and omega fatty acids she added it was important for people to understand more about what is in the food we eat

Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

Anewstudyhassuggestedthathigherlevelsof"foreverchemicals"may
existinseafood.Foreverchemicalsareman-madetoxinsthatdonotbre
akdown.Theycanstayinhumanbloodandleadtoavarietyofhealthissue
s.Theseincludecancer,kidneyandliverproblems,hormonalchanges,a
nddamagetothedevelopmentofbabiesinthewomb.Researchersfrom
DartmouthCollegeintheUSAsaidthereshouldbesafetyguidelinesforfo
reverchemicalsinseafood.Theysaythatthelevelofthesetoxinsishighe
stinmarinecreatureslikeshrimp,prawnsandlobster.Thiscouldmeanp
eoplewholovesushi,sashimiandprawncocktailsmayhavetorethinkth
eirdietandeatalittlelessseafood.Foreverchemicalsweredevelopedint
he1930s.Sincethe1950s,theyhavebeenusedtomakemanyproducts.
Theyarecommonlyfoundinfoodpackaging.Mostofourfoodwrappers,t
akeoutcontainers,pizzaboxesandotherfoodholderscontainthechemi
cals.Overthedecades,thesechemicalshaveenteredourfoodchain.Res
earcherssaidtheywereinhigherlevelsinseafood.ProfessorMeganRom
anosaidshewantedpeopletocontinuetoenjoyseafood,buttobeaware
oftherisks.Shesaid:"Ourrecommendationisn'ttonoteatseafood.Seaf
oodisagreatsourceofleanproteinandomegafattyacids."Sheaddeditw
asimportantforpeopletounderstandmoreaboutwhatisinthefoodwee
at.

Free writing

Write about seafood forever chemicals for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Academic writing

We worry too much about what is in our food. 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. SEAFOOD: Make a poster about seafood. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
4. WORRYING LESS: Write a magazine article about all of us worrying less about what's in the food we eat. 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 seafood. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on eating seafood. 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

$US 9.99

Answers

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

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