The Reading / Listening - Swearing - Level 6

Researchers have discovered that swearing and using bad or profane language can increase one's physical strength. The researchers are from Keele University in England. They conducted tests on 81 people to see the effect swearing had on their physical performance. In one test, participants did a short, intense workout on an exercise bike. Some people were asked to swear as much as they could before they started their workout, while others were told to be quiet. In another test, participants were told to grip the bike's handlebars as tightly as they could. The researchers found that the groups who swore a lot, cycled or gripped three to four per cent more powerfully than the tight-lipped group.

Past research also shows that swearing helps to increase our tolerance to pain. A 2009 study discovered that swearing led to an increased heart rate and higher levels of adrenaline - these help to numb pain. This perhaps explains why so many of us swear when we hurt ourselves. Another study found that swearing was a sign of honesty because people who swear frequently are believed to be better at self-expression. Dr. Richard Stephens, lead researcher of the Keele study, said he was at a loss to explain why swearing affects the body. He said: "Quite why it is that swearing has these effects on strength and pain tolerance remains to be discovered. We have yet to understand the power of swearing fully."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Swearing - Level 4  or  Swearing - Level 5

Sources
  • http://observer.com/2017/05/swearing-benefits-strength-study/
  • http://www.medicaldaily.com/benefits-swearing-saying-curse-words-makes-you-stronger-numb-pain-and-more-416927
  • http://www.techtimes.com/articles/206712/20170505/swearing-aloud-while-you-exercise-can-make-your-muscles-stronger.htm


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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. SWEARING: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about swearing. 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?

       researchers / bad language / tests / physical / performance / exercise / swear / group
       tolerance / pain / heart rate / adrenaline / numb / hurt / honesty / at a loss / strength

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

3. BAD LANGUAGE: Students A strongly believe using bad language is OK; Students B strongly believe it isn't. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. WHO CAN SWEAR?: Complete this table with your partner(s) about who can swear and why. Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

OK for them to swear?

When?

Why?

Parents

 

 

 

Teachers

 

 

 

Presidents

 

 

 

Athletes

 

 

 

Children

 

 

 

TV presenters

 

 

 

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

6. EXERCISE: Rank these with your partner. Put the best things to help exercise at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • protein
  • steroids
  • meditation
  • good shoes
  • swearing
  • water
  • sleep
  • stretching

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. Researchers said using profane language can increase your strength.     T / F
  2. Researchers conducted tests on 810 people.     T / F
  3. Test participants had to grip their hands as tightly as they could.     T / F
  4. A group that swore before exercise improved their performance by 30%. T / F
  5. Earlier research showed that swearing increased our tolerance to pain.    T / F
  6. Other research suggested swearing was a sign of dishonesty.     T / F
  7. A researcher was at a loss as to why swearing affected the body.     T / F
  8. The researcher said we don't understand the power of swearing.     T / F

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

  1. profane
  2. conducted
  3. effect
  4. grip
  5. tight-lipped
  6. tolerance
  7. numb
  8. frequently
  9. at a loss
  10. fully
  1. impact
  2. deaden
  3. silent
  4. entirely
  5. grasp
  6. foul
  7. puzzled
  8. acceptance
  9. carried out
  10. regularly

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

  1. swearing and using bad or
  2. increase one's physical
  3. They conducted tests
  4. a short, intense workout on
  5. the tight-
  6. increase our tolerance
  7. an increased heart
  8. these help to numb
  9. better at self-
  10. he was at a
  1. to pain
  2. an exercise bike
  3. pain
  4. strength
  5. expression
  6. rate
  7. profane language
  8. lipped group
  9. loss to explain why
  10. on 81 people

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
effect
swore
profane
quiet
lipped
conducted
workout
grip

Researchers have discovered that swearing and using bad or      (1) ____________ language can increase one's physical strength. The researchers are from Keele University in England. They        (2) ____________ tests on 81 people to see the                        (3) ____________ swearing had on their physical performance. In one test, participants did a short, intense (4) ____________ on an exercise bike. Some people were asked to swear as much as they could before they started their workout, while others were told to be (5) ____________. In another test, participants were told to (6) ____________ the bike's handlebars as tightly as they could. The researchers found that the groups who (7) ____________ a lot, cycled or gripped three to four per cent more powerfully than the tight-(8) ____________ group.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
honesty
loss
tolerance
fully
numb
adrenaline
effects
expression

Past research also shows that swearing helps to increase our     (9) ____________ to pain. A 2009 study discovered that swearing led to an increased heart rate and higher levels of                     (10) ____________ - these help to (11) ____________ pain. This perhaps explains why so many of us swear when we hurt ourselves. Another study found that swearing was a sign of      (12) ____________ because people who swear frequently are believed to be better at self-(13) ____________. Dr. Richard Stephens, lead researcher of the Keele study, said he was at a (14) ____________ to explain why swearing affects the body. He said: "Quite why it is that swearing has these (15) ____________ on strength and pain tolerance remains to be discovered. We have yet to understand the power of swearing (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  Researchers have discovered that swearing and using bad ______
     a.  or propane language
     b.  or proverb language
     c.  or pro bono language
     d.  or profane language

2)  They conducted tests on 81 people to see the ______
     a.  affect swearing had
     b.  effect swearing had
     c.  defect swearing had
     d.  reflect swearing had

3)  In one test, participants did a short, ______
     a.  on tense workout
     b.  in tense workout
     c.  in tents workout
     d.  intense workout

4)  swear as much as they could before they started their workout, while others were _____
     a.  told to be quietly
     b.  told to be quiet
     c.  told to be quieten
     d.  told to be quite

5)  cycled or gripped three to four per cent more powerfully than the ______
     a.  tightly-lipped group
     b.  tight-lipped group
     c.  tights-lipped group
     d.  tighten-lipped group

6)  Past research also shows that swearing helps to increase our ______
     a.  tolerance to pain
     b.  tolerance at pain
     c.  tolerance on pain
     d.  tolerance through pain

7)  A 2009 study discovered that swearing led to an ______
     a.  increases heart rate
     b.  increased hearts rate
     c.  increased heart rate
     d.  increased heart rates

8)  higher levels of adrenaline - these help ______
     a.  to dumb pain
     b.  to numb pain
     c.  to number pain
     d.  to bump pain

9)  people who swear frequently are believed to be better ______
     a.  of self-expression
     b.  on self-expression
     c.  at self-expression
     d.  to self-expression

10)  why it is that swearing has these effects on strength and pain tolerance ______
     a.  remains to been discovered
     b.  remains too be discovered
     c.  remain to be discovered
     d.  remains to be discovered

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Researchers have discovered that swearing (1) ___________________ profane language can increase one's physical strength. The researchers are from Keele University in England. They (2) ___________________ 81 people to see the effect swearing had on their physical performance. In one test, participants (3) ___________________, intense workout on an exercise bike. Some people were asked to swear as much as they could before they started their workout, (4) ___________________ told to be quiet. In another test, participants were told to grip the bike's handlebars as tightly as they could. The researchers found that the groups (5) ___________________, cycled or gripped three to four per cent (6) ___________________ the tight-lipped group.

Past (7) ___________________ that swearing helps to increase our tolerance to pain. A 2009 study discovered that swearing (8) ___________________ heart rate and higher levels of adrenaline - these help to numb pain. This perhaps explains why (9) ___________________ when we hurt ourselves. Another study found that swearing (10) ___________________ honesty because people who swear frequently are believed to be better at self-expression. Dr. Richard Stephens, lead researcher of the Keele study, said he (11) ___________________ explain why swearing affects the body. He said: "Quite why it is that swearing has these effects on strength and pain tolerance remains to be discovered. We have (12) ___________________ the power of swearing fully."

Comprehension questions

  1. What kind of language can increase one's physical strength?
  2. How many people did researchers conduct tests on?
  3. What kind of exercise equipment did the participants use?
  4. When could participants swear as much as they could?
  5. By how much did swearing improve physical performance?
  6. When was there a study into swearing and pain tolerance?
  7. What does adrenaline help to numb?
  8. What do many of us do when we hurt ourselves?
  9. What did another study say swearing was a sign of?
  10. What did a researcher say we do not fully understand yet?

Multiple choice quiz

1)  What kind of language can increase one's physical strength?
a) propane language
b) profane language
c) proverbial language
d) proper language

2) How many people did researchers conduct tests on?
a) 810
b) 18
c) 801
d) 81

3) What kind of exercise equipment did the participants use?
a) weights
b) rowing machines
c) exercise bikes
d) treadmills

4) When could participants swear as much as they could?
a) before their workout
b) before they slept
c) the last minute of their workout
d) all day

5) By how much did swearing improve physical performance?
a) 13 to 14 per cent
b) 3 to 4 per cent
c) 30 to 40 per cent
d) 33-34%

6) When was there a study into swearing and pain tolerance?
a) 2009
b) 2010
c) 2011
d) 2012

7) What does adrenaline help to numb?
a) teeth
b) feeling
c) pain
d) thoughts

8) What do many of us do when we hurt ourselves?
a) swear
b) cry
c) say 'ouch'
d) feel sorry for ourselves

9) What did another study say swearing was a sign of?
a) stamina
b) strength
c) madness
d) honesty

10) What did a researcher say we do not fully understand yet?
a) humans
b) adrenaline
c) the power of swearing
d) the world's swear words

Role play

Role  A – Swearing

You think swearing is the best thing to help you exercise. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): water, meditation or stretching.

Role  B – Water

You think water is the best thing to help you exercise. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): swearing, meditation or stretching.

Role  C – Meditation

You think meditation is the best thing to help you exercise. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why): water, swearing or stretching.

Role  D – Stretching

You think stretching is the best thing to help you exercise. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their things. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these (and why):  water, meditation or swearing.

After reading / listening

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

'swear'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'word'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • • 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:

    • shows
    • rate
    • hurt
    • frequently
    • loss
    • fully
    • profane
    • 81
    • intense
    • quiet
    • tightly
    • lot

    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 - Swearing can make you physically stronger

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

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What springs to mind when you hear the word 'swearing'?
    3. What do you think of swearing?
    4. Do you think swearing can increase your physical strength?
    5. When do you swear?
    6. How bad is swearing?
    7. How bad is it that children swear?
    8. Will you now swear a lot before you exercise?
    9. Is it important to know the swear words in English?
    10. Are the swear words in your country really bad?

    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 term 'bad language'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. Does swearing help when you are in great pain?
    5. Is swearing becoming more acceptable these days?
    6. Are there different swear words for men and women?
    7. Have you been upset or shocked because someone swore?
    8. Who would you never want to hear using bad language?
    9. Are people who swear a lot more honest?
    10. 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)

    Researchers have discovered that swearing and using bad or (1) ____ language can increase (2) ____ physical strength. The researchers are from Keele University in England. They conducted tests on 81 people to see the (3) ____ swearing had on their physical performance. In one test, participants did a short, (4) ____ workout on an exercise bike. Some people were asked to swear as much as they could before they started their workout, while others were told to be quiet. In another test, participants were told to (5) ____ the bike's handlebars as tightly as they could. The researchers found that the groups who (6) ____ a lot, cycled or gripped three to four per cent more powerfully than the tight-lipped group.

    Past research also shows that swearing helps to increase our tolerance (7) ____ pain. A 2009 study discovered that swearing led to an increased heart rate and higher levels of adrenaline - these help to (8) ____ pain. This perhaps explains why so many of us swear when we hurt ourselves. Another study found that swearing was a sign of (9) ____ because people who swear (10) ____ are believed to be better at self-expression. Dr. Richard Stephens, lead researcher of the Keele study, said he was at a (11) ____ to explain why swearing affects the body. He said: "Quite why it is that swearing has these effects on strength and pain tolerance remains to be discovered. We have (12) ____ to understand the power of swearing fully."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     propane     (b)     program     (c)     profane     (d)     protein    
    2. (a)     one's     (b)     once     (c)     ones     (d)     owns    
    3. (a)     effect     (b)     effective     (c)     affect     (d)     affection    
    4. (a)     intense     (b)     contents     (c)     condense     (d)     inverse    
    5. (a)     clip     (b)     grip     (c)     strip     (d)     whip    
    6. (a)     swears     (b)     swearing     (c)     sworn     (d)     swore    
    7. (a)     at     (b)     in     (c)     to     (d)     by    
    8. (a)     name     (b)     dumb     (c)     lump     (d)     numb    
    9. (a)     honesty     (b)     honest     (c)     honest-to-go     (d)     honestly    
    10. (a)     frequently     (b)     fluently     (c)     frequency     (d)     freakily    
    11. (a)     lose     (b)     loss     (c)     lost     (d)     losing    
    12. (a)     already     (b)     so     (c)     yet     (d)     there

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. using bad or raoepnf language
    2. increase one's ilchpays strength
    3. nnsieet workout
    4. nptpiasctira were told to grip
    5. the groups who serwo a lot
    6. the tight-lpiedp group

    Paragraph 2

    1. increase our nretceaol to pain
    2. higher levels of lrdiaeeann
    3. these help to nbum pain
    4. people who swear yqfneurtel
    5. be better at self-ssexeroinp
    6. mrenisa to be discovered

    Put the text back together

    (    )     to an increased heart rate and higher levels of adrenaline - these help to numb

    (    )     Past research also shows that swearing helps to increase our tolerance to pain. A 2009 study discovered that swearing led

    (    )     pain. This perhaps explains why so many of us swear when we hurt ourselves. Another study found that swearing

    1  )     Researchers have discovered that swearing and using bad or profane language can increase one's physical

    (    )     was a sign of honesty because people who swear frequently are believed to be better at self-

    (    )     tolerance remains to be discovered. We have yet to understand the power of swearing fully."

    (    )     effect swearing had on their physical performance. In one test, participants did a short, intense workout on

    (    )     an exercise bike. Some people were asked to swear as much as they could before they started their

    (    )     three to four per cent more powerfully than the tight-lipped group.

    (    )     why swearing affects the body. He said: "Quite why it is that swearing has these effects on strength and pain

    (    )     expression. Dr. Richard Stephens, lead researcher of the Keele study, said he was at a loss to explain

    (    )     workout, while others were told to be quiet. In another test, participants were told to grip the bike's handlebars as

    (    )     tightly as they could. The researchers found that the groups who swore a lot, cycled or gripped

    (    )     strength. The researchers are from Keele University in England. They conducted tests on 81 people to see the

    Put the words in the right order

    1. one's   profane  physical   language   strength  can  Bad   increase  or   .
    2. see   swearing   on   to   effect   Tests   people   the   had   81   .
    3. as   people   to  much   Some   asked  as   could  were   swear   they   .
    4. the   grip   to   told   were   Participants   handlebars   bike's   .
    5. powerfully  tight  group   cent   the  lipped  per   than  -   Four   more   .
    6. heart   of   rate   adrenaline   and   An   higher   increased   levels   .
    7. swearing   sign   Another   that   a   honesty   found   was   of   study   .
    8. was  He   body  the  affects  swearing  why   explain   to   loss   a   at   .
    9. on   Swearing   strength   has   and   these   pain   effects   tolerance   .
    10. of   We   to   power   fully   yet   the   swearing   have   understand   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Researchers have discovered / discovery that swearing and using bad or profane language can increase one's physically / physical strength. The researchers are from Keele University in England. They conducted tests in / on 81 people to see the effect swearing / sworn had on their physical performance. In one test, participates / participants did a short, intense workout on an exercise bike. Some people were asked to swear as many / much as they could before they starting / started their workout, while others were told to be quiet / quietly. In another test, participants were told to grip the bike's handlebars as tightly / tight as they could. The researchers found that the groups who swore a lot, cycled or gripped three to four per cent more powerfully than / that the tight-lipped group.

    Past research also shows / showing that swearing helps to increase our tolerance to paining / pain. A 2009 study discovered that swearing leaded / led to an increased heart rate and higher levels for / of adrenaline - these help to numb  / numbed pain. This perhaps explains why so many of us swear when we hurt ourselves. Another study found that swearing was a sign of honest / honesty because people who swear frequently are believed to be better at / to self-expression. Dr. Richard Stephens, lead researcher of the Keele study, said he was at a loss / lost to explain why swearing affects the body. He said: "Quite why it is that swearing has these affects / effects on strength and pain tolerance remains to be discovered. We have yet to understand the power of swearing fluffy / fully."

    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)

    R_s__rch_rs h_v_ d_sc_v_r_d th_t sw__r_ng _nd _s_ng b_d _r pr_f_n_ l_ng__g_ c_n _ncr__s_ _n_'s phys_c_l str_ngth. Th_ r_s__rch_rs _r_ fr_m K__l_ _n_v_rs_ty _n _ngl_nd. Th_y c_nd_ct_d t_sts _n 81 p__pl_ t_ s__ th_ _ff_ct sw__r_ng h_d _n th__r phys_c_l p_rf_rm_nc_. _n _n_ t_st, p_rt_c_p_nts d_d _ sh_rt, _nt_ns_ w_rk__t _n _n _x_rc_s_ b_k_. S_m_ p__pl_ w_r_ _sk_d t_ sw__r _s m_ch _s th_y c__ld b_f_r_ th_y st_rt_d th__r w_rk__t, wh_l_ _th_rs w_r_ t_ld t_ b_ q___t. _n _n_th_r t_st, p_rt_c_p_nts w_r_ t_ld t_ gr_p th_ b_k_'s h_ndl_b_rs _s t_ghtly _s th_y c__ld. Th_ r_s__rch_rs f__nd th_t th_ gr__ps wh_ sw_r_ _ l_t, cycl_d _r gr_pp_d thr__ t_ f__r p_r c_nt m_r_ p_w_rf_lly th_n th_ t_ght-l_pp_d gr__p.

    P_st r_s__rch _ls_ sh_ws th_t sw__r_ng h_lps t_ _ncr__s_ __r t_l_r_nc_ t_ p__n. _ 2009 st_dy d_sc_v_r_d th_t sw__r_ng l_d t_ _n _ncr__s_d h__rt r_t_ _nd h_gh_r l_v_ls _f _dr_n_l_n_ - th_s_ h_lp t_ n_mb p__n. Th_s p_rh_ps _xpl__ns why s_ m_ny _f _s sw__r wh_n w_ h_rt __rs_lv_s. _n_th_r st_dy f__nd th_t sw__r_ng w_s _ s_gn _f h_n_sty b_c__s_ p__pl_ wh_ sw__r fr_q__ntly _r_ b_l__v_d t_ b_ b_tt_r _t s_lf-_xpr_ss__n. Dr. R_ch_rd St_ph_ns, l__d r_s__rch_r _f th_ K__l_ st_dy, s__d h_ w_s _t _ l_ss t_ _xpl__n why sw__r_ng _ff_cts th_ b_dy. H_ s__d: "Q__t_ why _t _s th_t sw__r_ng h_s th_s_ _ff_cts _n str_ngth _nd p__n t_l_r_nc_ r_m__ns t_ b_ d_sc_v_r_d. W_ h_v_ y_t t_ _nd_rst_nd th_ p_w_r _f sw__r_ng f_lly."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    researchers have discovered that swearing and using bad or profane language can increase one's physical strength the researchers are from keele university in england they conducted tests on 81 people to see the effect swearing had on their physical performance in one test participants did a short intense workout on an exercise bike some people were asked to swear as much as they could before they started their workout while others were told to be quiet in another test participants were told to grip the bike's handlebars as tightly as they could the researchers found that the groups who swore a lot cycled or gripped three to four per cent more powerfully than the tight-lipped group

    past research also shows that swearing helps to increase our tolerance to pain a 2009 study discovered that swearing led to an increased heart rate and higher levels of adrenaline - these help to numb pain this perhaps explains why so many of us swear when we hurt ourselves another study found that swearing was a sign of honesty because people who swear frequently are believed to be better at self-expression dr richard stephens lead researcher of the keele study said he was at a loss to explain why swearing affects the body he said "quite why it is that swearing has these effects on strength and pain tolerance remains to be discovered we have yet to understand the power of swearing fully"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Researchershavediscoveredthatswearingandusingbadorprofanelan
    guagecanincreaseone'sphysicalstrength.TheresearchersarefromKe
    eleUniversityinEngland.Theyconductedtestson81peopletoseetheeff
    ectswearinghadontheirphysicalperformance.Inonetest,participants
    didashort,intenseworkoutonanexercisebike.Somepeoplewereasked
    toswearasmuchastheycouldbeforetheystartedtheirworkout,whileot
    hersweretoldtobequiet.Inanothertest,participantsweretoldtogripth
    ebike'shandlebarsastightlyastheycould.Theresearchersfoundthatth
    egroupswhosworealot,cycledorgrippedthreetofourpercentmorepow
    erfullythanthetight-lippedgroup.Pastresearchalsoshowsthatswear
    inghelpstoincreaseourtolerancetopain.A2009studydiscoveredthats
    wearingledtoanincreasedheartrateandhigherlevelsofadrenaline-th
    esehelptonumbpain.Thisperhapsexplainswhysomanyofusswearwh
    enwehurtourselves.Anotherstudyfoundthatswearingwasasignofhon
    estybecausepeoplewhoswearfrequentlyarebelievedtobebetteratsel
    f-expression.Dr.RichardStephens,leadresearcheroftheKeelestudy,s
    aidhewasatalosstoexplainwhyswearingaffectsthebody.Hesaid:"Qui
    tewhyitisthatswearinghastheseeffectsonstrengthandpaintolerancer
    emainstobediscovered.Wehaveyettounderstandthepowerofswearin
    gfully."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Is it OK to swear and use bad language? From what age might it be OK?

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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. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

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

    4. SWEAR MORE: Write a magazine article about the need for us to swear more to improve our physical performance and increase our tolerance to pain. 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 swearing. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your ideas on how it might affect our mind and body. 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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