The Reading / Listening - Level 5

Scientists think the spice turmeric could help the brain to heal itself. This is good news for those with brain diseases. Researchers from Germany's Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine examined the effects of turmeric on rats. They injected rats with chemicals from turmeric. They scanned the rats' brains and found that nerve cell growth in the rats' brain was quicker. They say the spice could lead to new drugs for treating strokes and brain diseases. Dr Adele Rueger said it was possible turmeric could "boost the effectiveness" of our brain cells, and help repair our brain.

Research is still in its early days and more trials are needed. Alzheimer's specialist Dr Laura Phipps told the BBC that it was too early to know if the research will be groundbreaking. She said: "It is not clear whether the results of this research would translate to people or whether the ability to generate new brain cells in this way would benefit people with Alzheimer's disease." She added: "We'd need to see further studies to fully understand this compound's effects….Until then, people shouldn't take this as a sign to stock up on supplies of turmeric for the spice rack."

Try the same news story at these levels:

    Level 4 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.

turmeric could help the

a.

turmeric on rats

2.

good news for those

b.

the rats' brains

3.

Institute of

c.

of our brain

4.

examined the effects of

d.

rats with chemicals

5.

They injected

e.

with brain diseases

6.

They scanned

f.

treating strokes

7.

new drugs for

g.

brain to heal itself

8.

boost the effectiveness

h.

Neuroscience



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

1.

Research is still in

a.

of this research

2.

t was too early

b.

effects

3.

the results

c.

on supplies

4.

the ability to generate

d.

Alzheimer's disease

5.

benefit people with

e.

rack

6.

fully understand this compound's

f.

to know

7.

stock up

g.

its early days

8.

turmeric for the spice

h.

new brain cells

LISTEN AND FILL IN THE GAPS

Scientists think the spice turmeric could help the (1) ___________________. This is good (2) ___________________ brain diseases. Researchers from Germany's Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine examined the effects of turmeric on rats. They (3) ___________________ chemicals from turmeric. They scanned the rats' brains and found that (4) ___________________ the rats' brain was quicker. They say the spice could lead to new drugs for (5) ___________________ brain diseases. Dr Adele Rueger said it was possible turmeric could "(6) ___________________" of our brain cells, and help repair our brain.

Research is (7) ___________________ days and more trials are needed. Alzheimer's specialist Dr Laura Phipps told the BBC that it was too early to know if the research (8) ___________________. She said: "It is not clear whether the results of this research (9) ___________________ people or whether the (10) ___________________ new brain cells in this way would benefit people with Alzheimer's disease." She added: "We'd need to see further studies to fully understand (11) ___________________….Until then, people shouldn't take this as a sign 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.

 

 

 

 

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)

________________________________________________________

 

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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.

_____________________________________________________________________________

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_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

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_____________________________________________________________________________

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_____________________________________________________________________________

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_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Answers

(Please check your answers against the article above.

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