Curry spice may help repair brain cells

The Reading / Listening - Level 4

Scientists think turmeric could help our brain to heal. This is good news for people with brain diseases. Neuroscientists in Germany examined the effects of turmeric on rats. They injected rats with chemicals from the spice and found increased nerve cell growth. They say the spice could lead to drugs for strokes and brain diseases. A researcher said turmeric could "boost the effectiveness" of our brain cells, and help repair our brain.

More research and trials are needed. An Alzheimer's specialist told the BBC it was too early to know if the research will help us. She said: "It is not clear whether the results of this research would translate to people." She added that doctors would need to see more studies to understand how turmeric might help the brain. She said there was no need for people to "stock up on supplies of turmeric for the spice rack".

Try the same news story at these levels:

Level 5 or Level 6

Sources

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-29361351
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-09-turmeric-compound-boosts-regeneration-brain.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2770380/Eating-curry-help-beat-dementia-Ingredient-turmeric-hold-key-repairing-brains-people-condition.html

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 Activities

MATCHING

PARAGRAPH ONE:

1.	help our brain to	a.	strokes
2.	good news for people	b.	turmeric on rats
3.	examined the effects of	c.	growth
4.	increased nerve cell	d.	heal
5.	drugs for	e.	of our brain cells
6.	boost the effectiveness	f.	with brain diseases

MY e-BOOK

ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers

See a sample

PARAGRAPH TWO:

1.	More research and trials	a.	rack
2.	it was too early	b.	might help
3.	the results of	c.	are needed
4.	understand how turmeric	d.	of turmeric
5.	stock up on supplies	e.	to know
6.	the spice	f.	this research

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

Scientists think turmeric could (1) ___________________ heal. This is good news for (2) ___________________ diseases. Neuroscientists in Germany examined (3) ___________________ on rats. They injected rats with chemicals from the spice and found increased (4) ___________________. They say the spice could lead to (5) ___________________ and brain diseases. A researcher said turmeric could "boost (6) ___________________ our brain cells, and help repair our brain.

More (7) ___________________ are needed. An Alzheimer's specialist told the BBC it was (8) ___________________ if the research will help us. She said: "It is not clear (9) ___________________ of this research would translate to people." She added that doctors (10) ___________________ more studies to understand how turmeric (11) ___________________. She said there was no need for people to "(12) ___________________ of turmeric for the spice rack".

CURRY SURVEY

Write five GOOD questions about curry 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.

WRITE QUESTIONS & ASK YOUR PARTNER(S)

Student A: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

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

Student B: Do not show these to your speaking partner(s).

a)	________________________________________________________
b)	________________________________________________________
c)	________________________________________________________
d)	________________________________________________________
e)	________________________________________________________
f)	________________________________________________________
g)	________________________________________________________
h)	________________________________________________________

FREE WRITING

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

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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