The Reading / Listening - Level 3

Tooth decay is the biggest reason for children in the UK going to hospital. Britain's National Health Service (NHS) just reported that 500 children a week end up in hospital because of sugary drinks and poor dental hygiene. The NHS said fruit juice and fizzy drinks (sodas) are the biggest reason why so many kids end up in hospital. Researchers found that more than 25,000 children needed to have teeth extracted last year. More worrying is the fact that some children had all 20 of their milk teeth removed because of tooth decay. Most kids needed four to eight teeth removed. Researchers say the sugary drinks and fruit juices are also leading to higher levels of obesity in kids.

The report is from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. It found that the number of children aged between zero and four going to hospital to have teeth out has increased from 8,060 in 2011 to 8,758 last year. Children's dentist Kathryn Harley said that children are going to hospital for several reasons. One is that their teeth are very painful. Another reason is that the tooth is too decayed for dentists to save it. A final reason is the child has too many decayed teeth that need to be removed. In all of these cases, children need a general anaesthetic – an injection that puts them to sleep. A health expert told parents to ban fruit juice and fizzy drinks and just give water to their children.

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Level 0 Level 1   or  Level 2

Sources
  • http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2690441/500-children-suffering-tooth-decay-hospitalised-WEEK-sugary-drinks-fruit-juice-toll.html#ixzz37Pd41WL0
  • http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/most-child-hospital-stays-for-teeth-30427382.html
  • http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jul/13/teeth-problems-children-hospital-decay-extractions


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice, drag and drop activities, crosswords, hangman, flash cards, matching activities and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

The 40 Lesson Activities on the PDF Handout

WARM-UPS

1. TEETH: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about teeth. 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?

 

reason / hospital / sugary drinks / dental hygiene / hospital / teeth extracted / obesity / social care / painful / dentists / anaesthetic / injection / fruit juice / water

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.

3. HOSPITAL: How can we stop kids going to hospital? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

Hospital for…

Your experience

How to keep kids safer

bad teeth

 

 

obesity

 

 

broken bones

 

 

stomach bugs

 

 

fevers / colds

 

 

sports injuries

 

 

4. WATER: Students A strongly believe children should drink water and not soda; Students B strongly believe kids can drink soda if they want.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

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5. DECAY: Rank these with your partner. Put the worst things for your teeth at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • cola

  • chocolate

  • cotton candy

  • fruit juice

  • candies

  • coffee

  • toffee

  • ice cream

6. JUICE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "juice". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

BEFORE READING / LISTENING

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

a.

The article is about children in the USA.

T / F

b.

Around 500 children a week go to hospital because of tooth decay.

T / F

c.

Over 25,000 children in the UK had teeth pulled out last year.

T / F

d.

Researchers said fruit juice is good at helping children lose weight.

T / F

e.

The number of three-year-olds going to hospital has decreased.

T / F

f.

A children's dentist said there were several reasons for this problem.

T / F

g.

Many children need an operation to have their teeth removed.

T / F

h.

A health expert said parents should continue to give children juice.

T / F

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

1.

reason

a.

gone up

2.

end up

b.

pulled out

3.

hygiene

c.

last

4.

extracted

d.

finish

5.

leading to

e.

numerous

6.

increased

f.

cause

7.

several

g.

instances

8.

final

h.

cleanliness

9.

cases

i.

specialists

10.

expert

j.

resulting in

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

1.

end up

a.

have teeth extracted

2.

poor dental

b.

them to sleep

3.

25,000 children needed to

c.

of obesity in kids

4.

some children had all 20 of their milk

d.

zero and four

5.

leading to higher levels

e.

decayed

6.

children aged between

f.

hygiene

7.

children are going to hospital for several

g.

expert

8.

the tooth is too

h.

in hospital

9.

an injection that puts

i.

reasons

10.

health

j.

teeth removed

GAP FILL

Tooth decay is the biggest (1) ____________ for children in the UK going to hospital. Britain's National Health Service (NHS) just reported that 500 children a week (2) ____________ up in hospital because of sugary drinks and poor dental (3) ____________. The NHS said fruit juice and fizzy drinks (sodas) are the (4) ____________ reason why so many kids end up in hospital. Researchers found that more than 25,000 children needed to have teeth (5) ____________ last year. More worrying is the fact that some children had all 20 of their (6) ____________ teeth removed because of tooth (7) ____________. Most kids needed four to eight teeth removed. Researchers say the sugary drinks and fruit juices are also leading to higher levels of (8) ____________ in kids.

 

 

obesity
hygiene
decay
extracted
reason
milk
end
biggest

The report is from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. It found that the (9) ____________ of children aged between zero and four going to hospital to have teeth out has (10) ____________ from 8,060 in 2011 to 8,758 last year. Children's (11) ____________ Kathryn Harley said that children are going to hospital for (12) ____________ reasons. One is that their teeth are very painful. Another reason is that the tooth is too decayed for dentists to (13) ____________ it. A final reason is the child has too many (14) ____________ teeth that need to be removed. In all of these (15) ____________, children need a general anaesthetic – an injection that puts them to sleep. A health (16) ____________ told parents to ban fruit juice and fizzy drinks and just give water to their children.

 

decayed
dentist
expert
several
number
cases
save
increased

 

LISTENING - Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1.

What organization talked about 500 kids going to hospital?

6.

What age group went to hospital more last year?

 

a) the SHN
b) the NHS
c) the HNS
d) the NSH

 

a) 4-8-year-olds
b) under eights
c) 0-4-year-olds
d) teenagers

2.

What are the biggest reasons for the children going to hospital?

7.

What was the first reason mentioned?

 

a) fever
b) chocolate
c) sports accidents
d) fizzy drinks and soda

 

a) stained teeth
b) crooked teeth
c) wiggly teeth
d) painful teeth

3.

How many children needed a tooth taken out last year?

8.

What was the final reason mentioned?

 

a) over 25,000
b) over 250,000
c) over 2,500
d) over 2.5 million

 

a) too many decayed teeth
b) not cleaning teeth
c) cheap toothpaste
d) chocolate

4.

What kind of teeth did some children have 20 of removed?

9.

What does the injection do to children?

 

a) incisors
b) straight teeth
c) milk teeth
d) wiggly teeth

 

a) put them to sleep
b) make them sick
c) make them laugh
d) scare them

5.

What non-teeth health problem is mentioned in the article?

10.

What did a health expert tell parents to give children instead of juice?

 

a) skin rashes
b) obesity
c) broken bones
d) headaches

 

a) tea
b) water
c) something hot
d) coconut milk

LISTENING – Listen and fill in the gaps

Tooth decay (1) ___________________ for children in the UK going to hospital. Britain's National Health Service (NHS) just reported that 500 children (2) ___________________ hospital because of sugary drinks and (3) ___________________. The NHS said fruit juice and fizzy drinks (sodas) are the biggest reason why so many kids end up in hospital. Researchers found that more than 25,000 children needed to (4) ___________________ last year. More worrying is the fact that some children had all 20 of their (5) ___________________ because of tooth decay. Most kids needed four to eight teeth removed. Researchers say the sugary drinks and fruit juices are also leading to (6) ___________________ in kids.

The report is from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. It found that the number of children aged between (7) ___________________ to hospital to have teeth out (8) ___________________ 8,060 in 2011 to 8,758 last year. Children's dentist Kathryn Harley said that children are going to hospital (9) ___________________. One is that their teeth are very painful. Another reason is that the (10) ___________________ for dentists to save it. A final reason is the child has too many decayed teeth that (11) ___________________. In all of these cases, children need a general anaesthetic – an injection that puts them to sleep. A health expert told parents (12) ___________________ and fizzy drinks and just give water to their children.

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS

1.

What organization talked about 500 kids going to hospital?

2.

What are the biggest reasons for the children going to hospital?

3.

How many children needed a tooth taken out last year?

4.

What kind of teeth did some children have 20 of removed?

5.

What non-teeth health problem is mentioned in the article?

6.

What age group went to hospital more last year?

7.

What was the first reason mentioned?

8.

What was the final reason mentioned?

9.

What does the injection do to children?

10.

What did a health expert tell parents to give children instead of juice?

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ

1.

What organization talked about 500 kids going to hospital?

6.

What age group went to hospital more last year?

 

a) the SHN
b) the NHS
c) the HNS
d) the NSH

 

a) 4-8-year-olds
b) under eights
c) 0-4-year-olds
d) teenagers

2.

What are the biggest reasons for the children going to hospital?

7.

What was the first reason mentioned?

 

a) fever
b) chocolate
c) sports accidents
d) fizzy drinks and soda

 

a) stained teeth
b) crooked teeth
c) wiggly teeth
d) painful teeth

3.

How many children needed a tooth taken out last year?

8.

What was the final reason mentioned?

 

a) over 25,000
b) over 250,000
c) over 2,500
d) over 2.5 million

 

a) too many decayed teeth
b) not cleaning teeth
c) cheap toothpaste
d) chocolate

4.

What kind of teeth did some children have 20 of removed?

9.

What does the injection do to children?

 

a) incisors
b) straight teeth
c) milk teeth
d) wiggly teeth

 

a) put them to sleep
b) make them sick
c) make them laugh
d) scare them

5.

What non-teeth health problem is mentioned in the article?

10.

What did a health expert tell parents to give children instead of juice?

 

a) skin rashes
b) obesity
c) broken bones
d) headaches

 

a) tea
b) water
c) something hot
d) coconut milk

ROLE PLAY

Role  A – Cola

You think cola is the worst thing for your teeth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so bad about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): cotton candy, poor teeth-brushing or grinding teeth.

Role  B – Cotton candy

You think cotton candy is the worst thing for your teeth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so bad about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): cola, poor teeth-brushing or grinding teeth.

Role  C – Poor teeth-brushing

You think poor teeth-brushing is the worst thing for your teeth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so bad about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why): cotton candy, cola or grinding teeth.

Role  D – Grinding teeth

You think grinding teeth is the worst thing for your teeth. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them things that aren't so bad about their things. Also, tell the others which is the least harmful of these (and why):  cotton candy, poor teeth-brushing or cola.

AFTER READING / LISTENING

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

tooth

decay

 

 

 

  • 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:

  • reported
  • biggest
  • 25,000
  • milk
  • eight
  • levels
  • zero
  • dentist
  • painful
  • save
  • cases
  • ban

TEETH SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about teeth 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.

 

STUDENT 1

_____________

STUDENT 2

_____________

STUDENT 3

_____________

Q.1.

 

 

 

 

Q.2.

 

 

 

 

Q.3.

 

 

 

 

Q.4.

 

 

 

 

Q.5.

 

 

 

 

  • Now return to your original partner and share and talk about what you found out. Change partners often.
  • Make mini-presentations to other groups on your findings.

TEETH DISCUSSION

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

a)

What did you think when you read the headline?

b)

What springs to mind when you hear the word 'tooth'?

c)

Are your teeth in good condition?

d)

Do you like going to the dentist?

e)

What do you do to take care of your teeth?

f)

What childhood experiences do you have of the dentist?

g)

Should parents limit how much fruit juice kids have?

h)

What do you think of so many children having teeth problems?

i)

Should governments ban fizzy drinks?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

a)

Did you like reading this article? Why/not?

b)

Will scientists find something to stop tooth decay one day?

c)

What do you do if you have a toothache?

d)

What's the worst thing for your teeth?

e)

How sad is it when a tooth is removed?

f)

Why don't parents stop their children's teeth getting bad?

g)

What should companies do to make fizzy drinks safer?

h)

Would children accept having just water?

i)

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)

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

1.

________________________________________________________

2.

________________________________________________________

3.

________________________________________________________

4.

________________________________________________________

5.

________________________________________________________

6.

________________________________________________________

LANGUAGE - CLOZE

Tooth decay is the biggest (1) ____ for children in the UK going to hospital. Britain's National Health Service (NHS) just reported that 500 children (2) ____ week end up in hospital because of sugary drinks and (3) ____ dental hygiene. The NHS said fruit juice and fizzy drinks (sodas) are the biggest reason why so many kids end up in hospital. Researchers found that more than 25,000 children needed to have teeth (4) ____ last year. More worrying is the fact that some children had all 20 of their milk teeth removed because (5) ____ tooth decay. Most kids needed four to eight teeth removed. Researchers say the sugary drinks and fruit juices are also leading to higher (6) ____ of obesity in kids.

The report is from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. It found that the number of children aged between (7) ____ and four going to hospital to have teeth out has increased from 8,060 in 2011 to 8,758 last year. Children's dentist Kathryn Harley said that children are going to hospital for (8) ____ reasons. One is that their teeth are very painful. Another reason is that the tooth is (9) ____ decayed for dentists to (10) ____ it. A final reason is the child has too many decayed teeth that need to be removed. In all of these (11) ____, children need a general anaesthetic – an injection that puts them to sleep. A health expert told parents to ban fruit juice and fizzy drinks and (12) ____ give water to their children.

Put the correct words from the table below in the above article.

1.

(a)

reasoned

(b)

reasoning

(c)

reasons

(d)

reason

2.

(a)

that

(b)

the

(c)

all

(d)

a

3.

(a)

penniless

(b)

poor

(c)

toothy

(d)

cavity

4.

(a)

extraction

(b)

extracts

(c)

extracted

(d)

extractive

5.

(a)

of

(b)

for

(c)

from

(d)

if

6.

(a)

levels

(b)

rate

(c)

number

(d)

chance

7.

(a)

newborn

(b)

nothing

(c)

nil

(d)

zero

8.

(a)

several

(b)

series

(c)

severed

(d)

survival

9.

(a)

over

(b)

too

(c)

much

(d)

hole

10.

(a)

brush

(b)

near

(c)

save

(d)

polish

11.

(a)

bags

(b)

boxes

(c)

cases

(d)

containers

12.

(a)

juicy

(b)

just

(c)

joust

(d)

gist

SPELLING

Paragraph 1

1.

Tooth ydace is the biggest reason

2.

ysruag drinks

3.

poor dental einheyg

4.

have teeth drectxate

5.

higher seellv

6.

sieoybt in kids

Paragraph 2

7.

health and aclsio care

8.

encdraies from 8,060

9.

going to hospital for erelvsa reasons

10.

children need a negrlea anaesthetic

11.

an teijcnoni that puts them to sleep

12.

A health ptexre

PUT THE TEXT BACK TOGETHER

Number these lines in the correct order.

(    )

extracted last year. More worrying is the fact that some children had all 20 of their milk

(    )

sleep. A health expert told parents to ban fruit juice and fizzy drinks and just give water to their children.

(    )

up in hospital. Researchers found that more than 25,000 children needed to have teeth

(    )

Health Service (NHS) just reported that 500 children a week end up in hospital because of sugary drinks and poor dental

(    )

teeth removed because of tooth decay. Most kids needed four to eight teeth removed. Researchers say the sugary

1  )

Tooth decay is the biggest reason for children in the UK going to hospital. Britain's National

(    )

last year. Children's dentist Kathryn Harley said that children are going to hospital for several

(    )

The report is from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. It found that the number of children aged

(    )

drinks and fruit juices are also leading to higher levels of obesity in kids.

(    )

reasons. One is that their teeth are very painful. Another reason is that the tooth is too decayed for

(    )

removed. In all of these cases, children need a general anaesthetic – an injection that puts them to

(    )

between zero and four going to hospital to have teeth out has increased from 8,060 in 2011 to 8,758

(    )

dentists to save it. A final reason is the child has too many decayed teeth that need to be

(    )

hygiene. The NHS said fruit juice and fizzy drinks (sodas) are the biggest reason why so many kids end

PUT THE WORDS IN THE RIGHT ORDER

1.

in   children  for   reason   biggest   The   hospital   to   going   UK   the.

2.

week    end    up    in    hospital    Reported    that    500    children   a.

3.

teeth    have    to   needed   children   25,000   than   More   extracted.

4.

all    20    of    their    milk    teeth    removed    Some    children   had.

5.

kids    levels    of    Leading    obesity    to    in    higher.   

6.

children    zero    of    between    four    number    aged    and    The.   

7.

hospital    Children    for    are    several    going    reasons    to.   

8.

teeth    One    are    is    very    that    painful    their.   

9.

dentists    it    is    for    save    tooth    decayed    to    The    too.   

10.

expert    to    juice    health    parents    fruit    A    told    ban.   

CIRCLE THE CORRECT WORD (20 PAIRS)

Tooth decay is the biggest reason / reasoning for children in the UK going to hospital. Britain's National Health Service (NHS) just / justly reported that 500 children a week end down / up in hospital because of sugary drinks and poor dentist / dental hygiene. The NHS said fruit juice and fuzzy / fizzy drinks (sodas) are the biggest reason why so many kids end up in hospital. Researchers found that more / over than 25,000 children needed to have teeth extracted / distracted last year. More worrying is the fact that some children had all 20 of their milky / milk teeth removed because of tooth decay. Most kids needed four to eight teeth removal / removed. Researchers say the sugary drinks and fruit juices are also leading to higher levels of obesity in / on kids.

The report is from the Health and Social Care Information Centre. It found that the number / numeral of children aged between zero / nil and four going to hospital to have teeth out have / has increased from 8,060 in 2011 to 8,758 last year. Children's dentist Kathryn Harley said that children are going to hospital for interval / several reasons. One / Once is that their teeth are very pained / painful. Another reason is that the tooth is two / too decayed for dentists to save it. A final reason is the child has too many decayed teeth that need / needs to be removed. In all of these cases, children need a generally / general anaesthetic – an injection that puts them to sleep. A health expert told parents to ban / band fruit juice and fizzy drinks and just give water to their children.

Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct.

INSERT THE VOWELS (a, e, i, o, u)

T__th d_c_y _s th_ b_gg_st r__s_n f_r ch_ldr_n _n th_ _K g__ng t_ h_sp_t_l. Br_t__n's N_t__n_l H__lth S_rv_c_ (NHS) j_st r_p_rt_d th_t 500 ch_ldr_n _ w__k _nd _p _n h_sp_t_l b_c__s_ _f s_g_ry dr_nks _nd p__r d_nt_l hyg__n_. Th_ NHS s__d fr__t j__c_ _nd f_zzy dr_nks (s_d_s) _r_ th_ b_gg_st r__s_n why s_ m_ny k_ds _nd _p _n h_sp_t_l. R_s__rch_rs f__nd th_t m_r_ th_n 25,000 ch_ldr_n n__d_d t_ h_v_ t__th _xtr_ct_d l_st y__r. M_r_ w_rry_ng _s th_ f_ct th_t s_m_ ch_ldr_n h_d _ll 20 _f th__r m_lk t__th r_m_v_d b_c__s_ _f t__th d_c_y. M_st k_ds n__d_d f__r t_ __ght t__th r_m_v_d. R_s__rch_rs s_y th_ s_g_ry dr_nks _nd fr__t j__c_s _r_ _ls_ l__d_ng t_ h_gh_r l_v_ls _f _b_s_ty _n k_ds.

Th_ r_p_rt _s fr_m th_ H__lth _nd S_c__l C_r_ _nf_rm_t__n C_ntr_. _t f__nd th_t th_ n_mb_r _f ch_ldr_n _g_d b_tw__n z_r_ _nd f__r g__ng t_ h_sp_t_l t_ h_v_ t__th __t h_s _ncr__s_d fr_m 8,060 _n 2011 t_ 8,758 l_st y__r. Ch_ldr_n's d_nt_st K_thryn H_rl_y s__d th_t ch_ldr_n _r_ g__ng t_ h_sp_t_l f_r s_v_r_l r__s_ns. _n_ _s th_t th__r t__th _r_ v_ry p__nf_l. _n_th_r r__s_n _s th_t th_ t__th _s t__ d_c_y_d f_r d_nt_sts t_ s_v_ _t. _ f_n_l r__s_n _s th_ ch_ld h_s t__ m_ny d_c_y_d t__th th_t n__d t_ b_ r_m_v_d. _n _ll _f th_s_ c_s_s, ch_ldr_n n__d _ g_n_r_l _n__sth_t_c – _n _nj_ct__n th_t p_ts th_m t_ sl__p. _ h__lth _xp_rt t_ld p_r_nts t_ b_n fr__t j__c_ _nd f_zzy dr_nks _nd j_st g_v_ w_t_r t_ th__r ch_ldr_n.

PUNCTUATE THE TEXT AND ADD CAPITALS

tooth decay is the biggest reason for children in the uk going to hospital britain's national health service (nhs) just reported that 500 children a week end up in hospital because of sugary drinks and poor dental hygiene the nhs said fruit juice and fizzy drinks (sodas) are the biggest reason why so many kids end up in hospital researchers found that more than 25000 children needed to have teeth extracted last year more worrying is the fact that some children had all 20 of their milk teeth removed because of tooth decay most kids needed four to eight teeth removed researchers say the sugary drinks and fruit juices are also leading to higher levels of obesity in kids

the report is from the health and social care information centre it found that the number of children aged between zero and four going to hospital to have teeth out has increased from 8060 in 2011 to 8758 last year children's dentist kathryn harley said that children are going to hospital for several reasons one is that their teeth are very painful another reason is that the tooth is too decayed for dentists to save it a final reason is the child has too many decayed teeth that need to be removed in all of these cases children need a general anaesthetic – an injection that puts them to sleep a health expert told parents to ban fruit juice and fizzy drinks and just give water to their children

PUT A SLASH ( / ) WHERE THE SPACES ARE

ToothdecayisthebiggestreasonforchildrenintheUKgoingtohospit
al.Britain'sNationalHealthService(NHS)justreportedthat500chil
drenaweekendupinhospitalbecauseofsugarydrinksandpoordent
alhygiene.TheNHSsaidfruitjuiceandfizzydrinks(sodas)arethebig
gestreasonwhysomanykidsendupinhospital.Researchersfoundth
atmorethan25,000childrenneededtohaveteethextractedlastyear
.Moreworryingisthefactthatsomechildrenhadall20oftheirmilkteet
hremovedbecauseoftoothdecay.Mostkidsneededfourtoeightteet
hremoved.Researcherssaythesugarydrinksandfruitjuicesarealso
leadingtohigherlevelsofobesityinkids.ThereportisfromtheHealth
andSocialCareInformationCentre.Itfoundthatthenumberofchildr
enagedbetweenzeroandfourgoingtohospitaltohaveteethouthasi
ncreasedfrom8,060in2011to8,758lastyear.Children'sdentistKat
hrynHarleysaidthatchildrenaregoingtohospitalforseveralreasons
.Oneisthattheirteethareverypainful.Anotherreasonisthatthetoot
histoodecayedfordentiststosaveit.Afinalreasonisthechildhastoo
manydecayedteeththatneedtoberemoved.Inallofthesecases,chil
drenneedageneralanaesthetic–aninjectionthatputsthemtoslee
p.Ahealthexperttoldparentstobanfruitjuiceandfizzydrinksandjus
tgivewatertotheirchildren.

FREE WRITING

Write about teeth for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner's paper.

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ACADEMIC WRITING

Children should never drink sodas and fizzy drinks. 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 keeping teeth healthy. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

3. TEETH: Make a poster about teeth. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

4. SUGARY DRINKS: Write a magazine article about sugary drinks. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against giving them to children.

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 teeth. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how to get children to have healthier teeth. 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

TRUE / FALSE (p.4)

a

F

b

T

c

T

d

F

e

F

f

T

g

T

h

F

SYNONYM MATCH (p.4)

1.

reason

a.

cause

2.

end up

b.

finish

3.

hygiene

c.

cleanliness

4.

extracted

d.

pulled out

5.

leading to

e.

resulting in

6.

increased

f.

gone up

7.

several

g.

numerous

8.

final

h.

last

9.

cases

i.

instances

10.

expert

j.

specialist

COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS (p.8)

1.

The NHS (National Health Service)

2.

Fruit juices and fizzy drinks (soda)

3.

Over 25,000

4.

Milk teeth

5.

Obesity

6.

Zero to four

7.

Painful teeth

8.

Too many decayed teeth

9.

Put them to sleep

10.

Water

MULTIPLE CHOICE - QUIZ (p.9)

1.

b

2.

d

3.

a

4.

c

5.

b

6.

c

7.

d

8.

a

9.

a

10.

b

ALL OTHER EXERCISES

Please check for yourself by looking at the Article on page 2.
(It's good for your English ;-)

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