The Reading / Listening - Fitness Trackers - Level 6

A new report says fitness trackers are not so accurate in measuring the amount of calories our body burns while exercising, and that this may lead people to make poor decisions about their diet. The study is from Stanford University in the USA. Researchers evaluated the accuracy of five popular trackers. These included the Apple Watch, Microsoft Band, Fitbit Surge and Samsung Gear S2. The researchers observed 60 volunteers as they walked, ran and cycled while wearing the devices. Researchers found that none of the devices had an error rate below 20 per cent. Dr Euan Ashley, co-author of the study, said: "People need to know that on energy expenditure, [the trackers] give rough estimates."

The Stanford scientists said users of fitness trackers should be cautious about using the devices to judge what they eat. Dr Ashley said: "If you go to the gym, and you think you've lost 400 calories, then you might feel you've got 400 calories to play with." This could be a problem for those who base what they eat on how many calories their fitness tracker said they burned. One CEO of a fitness tracker company suggested the researchers may not have adjusted the user settings properly. The CEO told the USA Today newspaper that the study method could have reported incorrect data, saying: "We think the excess error reported in energy expenditure is not representative in this study, due to this methodological error."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Fitness Trackers - Level 4  or  Fitness Trackers - Level 5

Sources
  • http://www.bbc.com/news/health-40030457
  • https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/nation-now/2017/05/24/your-fitness-tracker-could-way-way-off/342327001/
  • http://www.livescience.com/59242-how-accurate-is-your-fitness-tracker-really.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 :-)

Warm-ups

1. FITNESS TRACKERS: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about fitness trackers. 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?

       report / fitness / calories / exercising / decisions / diet / accuracy / devices / estimates
       scientists / judge / problem / settings / newspaper / data / energy / study / error

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

3. EXERCISE DEVICES: Students A strongly believe we should all have to use a device to track our daily exercise; Students B strongly believe we shouldn't.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.

4. DAILY EXERCISE: How can we do more exercise at these times? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What we can do

Pros / Cons

At breakfast

 

 

Going to school / work

 

 

Lunch time

 

 

At school / work

 

 

While shopping

 

 

While watching TV

 

 

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

6. BURNING CALORIES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best ways to burn calories at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • swimming
  • dancing
  • gardening
  • housework
  • shopping
  • walking
  • working out
  • walking up stairs

 

Before reading / listening

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

  1. A report says fitness trackers could lead to poor decisions about diet.     T / F
  2. Scientists looked at 15 different fitness trackers.     T / F
  3. Researchers looked at 60 volunteers as they exercised.     T / F
  4. None of the fitness trackers tested had an error rate below 20%.     T / F
  5. A researcher said trackers should be used to decide how much to eat.     T / F
  6. A researcher said fitness tracker data is always wrong by 400 calories.    T / F
  7. A fitness tracker company CEO agreed with the research data.     T / F
  8. The CEO thinks there was an error in the research method.     T / F

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

  1. accurate
  2. amount
  3. evaluated
  4. observed
  5. rough
  6. cautious
  7. problem
  8. properly
  9. data
  10. due to
  1. careful
  2. basic
  3. figures
  4. assessed
  5. correctly
  6. precise
  7. because of
  8. drawback
  9. quantity
  10. monitored

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

  1. not so accurate in measuring the
  2. lead people to make poor decisions
  3. evaluated the accuracy
  4. an error rate
  5. the trackers give rough
  6. be cautious about using the devices to
  7. you've got 400 calories
  8. adjusted the user settings
  9. incorrect
  10. methodological
  1. of five popular trackers
  2. data
  3. estimates
  4. about their diet
  5. to play with
  6. properly
  7. amount of calories
  8. error
  9. below 20 per cent
  10. judge what they eat

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
burns
none
observed
rough
accurate
author
evaluated
devices

A new report says fitness trackers are not so (1) ____________ in measuring the amount of calories our body (2) ____________ while exercising, and that this may lead people to make poor decisions about their diet. The study is from Stanford University in the USA. Researchers (3) ____________ the accuracy of five popular trackers. These included the Apple Watch, Microsoft Band, Fitbit Surge and Samsung Gear S2. The researchers (4) ____________ 60 volunteers as they walked, ran and cycled while wearing the (5) ____________. Researchers found that (6) ____________ of the devices had an error rate below 20 per cent. Dr Euan Ashley, co-(7) ____________ of the study, said: "People need to know that on energy expenditure, [the trackers] give (8) ____________ estimates."

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
base
properly
judge
error
calories
data
users
suggested

The Stanford scientists said (9) ____________ of fitness trackers should be cautious about using the devices to (10) ____________ what they eat. Dr Ashley said: "If you go to the gym, and you think you've lost 400 (11) ____________, then you might feel you've got 400 calories to play with." This could be a problem for those who (12) ____________ what they eat on how many calories their fitness tracker said they burned. One CEO of a fitness tracker company (13) ____________ the researchers may not have adjusted the user settings (14) ____________. The CEO told the USA Today newspaper that the study method could have reported incorrect (15) ____________, saying: "We think the excess error reported in energy expenditure is not representative in this study, due to this methodological (16) ____________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1)  not so accurate in measuring the amount of calories ______
     a.  our body burned
     b.  our body burns
     c.  our body burn
     d.  our body burnt

2)  and that this may lead people to make poor decisions ______
     a.  about their dietary
     b.  about their dietician
     c.  about their diet
     d.  about their dieted

3)  Researchers evaluated the accuracy of five ______
     a.  popularize trackers
     b.  popular tracker
     c.  popular truckers
     d.  popular trackers

4)  researchers observed 60 volunteers as they walked, ran and cycled while ______
     a.  where in in the devices
     b.  wear in the devices
     c.  wherein the devices
     d.  wearing the devices

5)  People need to know that on energy expenditure, the trackers give ______
     a.  roughly estimates
     b.  rough estimates
     c.  rough estimate
     d.  roughly estimate

6)  users of fitness trackers should be cautious about using the devices to ______ eat
     a.  judges what they
     b.  judge that they
     c.  judge what these
     d.  judge what they

7)  then you might feel you've got 400 calories ______
     a.  too play with
     b.  to play with
     c.  two play with
     d.  true play with

8)  those who base what they eat on how many calories their fitness tracker ______
     a.  said they burned
     b.  wrote they burned
     c.  typed they burned
     d.  record they burned

9) company suggested the researchers may not have adjusted the user ______
     a.  set things properly
     b.  setting properly
     c.  sets things properly
     d.  settings properly

10)  not representative in this study, due to this ______
     a.  methodological error
     b.  method and logical error
     c.  method or logical error
     d.  method a logical error

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

A new report says fitness trackers (1) ___________________ accurate in measuring the amount of calories our body burns while exercising, and that this may lead people (2) ___________________ decisions about their diet. The study is from Stanford University in the USA. Researchers evaluated the (3) ___________________ popular trackers. These included the Apple Watch, Microsoft Band, Fitbit Surge and Samsung Gear S2. The researchers observed 60 volunteers (4) ___________________, ran and cycled while wearing the devices. Researchers found that none of the devices had an error rate below 20 per cent. Dr Euan Ashley, (5) ___________________ study, said: "People need to know that on energy expenditure, [the trackers] give (6) ___________________."

The Stanford scientists (7) ___________________ fitness trackers should be (8) ___________________ using the devices to judge what they eat. Dr Ashley said: "If you go to the gym, and you think you've lost 400 calories, then you might feel you've got 400 calories to play with." This could be a problem for those who base what (9) ___________________ many calories their fitness tracker said they burned. One CEO of a fitness tracker company suggested the researchers may (10) ___________________ the user settings properly. The CEO told the USA Today newspaper that the study method could have (11) ___________________ data, saying: "We think the excess error reported in energy expenditure is not representative (12) ___________________ to this methodological error."

Comprehension questions

  1. What might fitness-tracker information lead to poor information about?
  2. How many fitness trackers did the researchers evaluate?
  3. How many volunteers did the researchers observe?
  4. How many of the trackers were found to have an error rate below 20%?
  5. What kind of estimates did the researchers say the trackers gave?
  6. What should users be cautious about using the devices to judge?
  7. What did a CEO say researchers might not have adjusted correctly?
  8. What newspaper did the CEO talk to?
  9. What kind of expenditure did the CEO talk about?
  10. What kind of error did the CEO say might have taken place?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What might fitness-tracker information lead to poor information about?
a) burns
b) diet
c) bicycles
d) people

2)  How many fitness trackers did the researchers evaluate?
a) 8
b) 7
c) 6
d) 5

3) How many volunteers did the researchers observe?
a) 60
b) 70
c) 80
d) 90

4) How many of the trackers were found to have an error rate below 20%?
a) 5
b) 2
c) 0
d) 3

5) What kind of estimates did the researchers say the trackers gave?
a) quick
b) rough
c) accurate
d) near-enough

6) What should users be cautious about using the devices to judge?
a) what to eat
b) others
c) activities
d) performance

7) What did a CEO say researchers might not have adjusted correctly?
a) angles
b) seats
c) settings
d) speed

8) What newspaper did the CEO talk to?
a) USA Today
b) Fitness Today
c) Devices Daily
d) Tracking Times

9) What kind of expenditure did the CEO talk about?
a) energy
b) money
c) time
d) budgetary

10) What kind of error did the CEO say might have taken place?
a) a careless error
b) human error
c) heart rate error
d) methodological error

Role play

Role  A – Shopping

You think shopping is the best way to get fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these ways (and why): dancing, gardening or housework.

Role  B – Dancing

You think dancing is the best way to get fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these ways (and why): shopping, gardening or housework.

Role  C – Gardening

You think gardening is the best way to get fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these ways (and why): dancing, shopping or housework.

Role  D – Housework

You think housework is the best way to get fit. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them what is wrong with their ways. Also, tell the others which is the worst of these ways (and why):  dancing, gardening or shopping.

After reading / listening

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

'fitness'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • and 'device'.

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

    • users
    • 400
    • base
    • CEO
    • method
    • due
    • so
    • lead
    • five
    • 60
    • 20
    • rough

    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 - Fitness trackers 'poor at measuring calories burned'

    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 'fitness'?
    3. How do fitness trackers work?
    4. Would (do) you use a fitness tracker?
    5. What are the pros and cons of fitness trackers?
    6. Why do you think the fitness trackers aren't so accurate?
    7. What do you do to get fit?
    8. How healthy is your diet?
    9. What would make you exercise more?
    10. What takes up most of your energy during the week?

    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 word 'device'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What digital devices do you have that help you?
    5. How much do you care about calories?
    6. Do you find digital devices easy to use?
    7. Do you believe the CEO or the researchers?
    8. What things would you like devices to measure?
    9. What do you think of the idea of fitness trackers?
    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)

    A new report says fitness trackers are not so (1) ____ in measuring the amount of calories our body burns (2) ____ exercising, and that this may lead people to make poor decisions about their diet. The study is from Stanford University in the USA. Researchers (3) ____ the accuracy of five popular trackers. These included the Apple Watch, Microsoft Band, Fitbit Surge and Samsung Gear S2. The researchers observed 60 volunteers (4) ____ they walked, ran and cycled while wearing the devices. Researchers found that none of the devices had an error (5) ____ below 20 per cent. Dr Euan Ashley, co-author of the study, said: "People need to know that on energy expenditure, [the trackers] give (6) ____ estimates."

    The Stanford scientists said users of fitness trackers should (7) ____ cautious about using the devices to (8) ____ what they eat. Dr Ashley said: "If you go to the gym, and you think you've lost 400 calories, then you might feel you've got 400 calories to (9) ____ with." This could be a problem for those who base what they eat on how many calories their fitness tracker (10) ____ they burned. One CEO of a fitness tracker company suggested the researchers may not have adjusted the user (11) ____ properly. The CEO told the USA Today newspaper that the study method could have reported incorrect data, saying: "We think the excess error reported in energy expenditure is not representative in this study, (12) ____ to this methodological error."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     accuracies     (b)     accurately     (c)     accuracy     (d)     accurate    
    2. (a)     willing     (b)     whiling     (c)     awhile     (d)     while    
    3. (a)     emancipated     (b)     evaluated     (c)     elongated     (d)     evacuated    
    4. (a)     was     (b)     is     (c)     as     (d)     has    
    5. (a)     rate     (b)     rata     (c)     ratio     (d)     rated    
    6. (a)     rough     (b)     roughed     (c)     roughly     (d)     roughs    
    7. (a)     take     (b)     have     (c)     do     (d)     be    
    8. (a)     judge     (b)     abridge     (c)     adage     (d)     assuage    
    9. (a)     eat     (b)     play     (c)     cook     (d)     run    
    10. (a)     wrote     (b)     typed     (c)     said     (d)     suggest    
    11. (a)     setters     (b)     sets     (c)     settings     (d)     settees     
    12. (a)     rue     (b)     due     (c)     hue     (d)     cue

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. fitness trackers are not so ueccatra
    2. gmeiarsun the amount
    3. make poor odisensci
    4. researchers sedrevbo 60 volunteers
    5. the dceiesv had an error rate below 20 per cent
    6. energy udneeteirpx

    Paragraph 2

    1. should be oausuitc
    2. you've lost 400 elacoisr
    3. tesjddau the user settings properly.
    4. tnieocrrc data
    5. not eisvtptrrneaee
    6. cmdooaoltigleh error

    Put the text back together

    (    )     base what they eat on how many calories their fitness tracker said they burned. One CEO of a fitness tracker

    (    )     Samsung Gear S2. The researchers observed 60 volunteers as they walked, ran and

    (    )     co-author of the study, said: "People need to know that on energy expenditure, [the trackers] give rough estimates."

    (    )     the USA Today newspaper that the study method could have reported incorrect data, saying: "We think the excess

    (    )     The Stanford scientists said users of fitness trackers should be cautious about using the devices to

    (    )     judge what they eat. Dr Ashley said: "If you go to the gym, and you think you've lost 400

    (    )     of five popular trackers. These included the Apple Watch, Microsoft Band, Fitbit Surge and

    (    )     cycled while wearing the devices. Researchers found that none of the devices had an error rate below 20 per cent. Dr Euan Ashley,

    (    )     burns while exercising, and that this may lead people to make poor decisions about their

    (    )     calories, then you might feel you've got 400 calories to play with." This could be a problem for those who

    (    )     diet. The study is from Stanford University in the USA. Researchers evaluated the accuracy

    (    )     company suggested the researchers may not have adjusted the user settings properly. The CEO told

    (    )     error reported in energy expenditure is not representative in this study, due to this methodological error."

    1  )     A new report says fitness trackers are not so accurate in measuring the amount of calories our body

    Put the words in the right order

    1. says   are   accurate   report   trackers   so   new   fitness   not   A   .
    2. of   amount   the   Measuring   burns   body   our   calories   .
    3. to  make  poor  decisions  about   their   diet  This   may  lead  people  .
    4. researchers   The   walked   they   as   volunteers   60   observed   .
    5. None   cent   per   20   below  rate   error   an  had   devices  the   of   .
    6. trackers   said   should   users   be   of   cautious   fitness   Scientists   .
    7. with   feel   400   play   might   got   to   You   you've   calories   .
    8. How   tracker   many   said   calories   they   their   burned   fitness   .
    9. properly  adjusted  Researchers   the  may   user  not   settings  have  .
    10. study   The   data   incorrect   reported   have   could   method   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    A new report says fitness trackers are not so accuracy / accurate in measuring the amount of calories our body burnt / burns while exercising, and that this may lead / let people to make poor decisions about their dietary / diet. The study is from Stanford University in the USA. Researchers evaluated the accuracy of five popular trackers. These included / inclusive the Apple Watch, Microsoft Band, Fitbit Surge and Samsung Gear S2. The researchers observed 60 volunteers was / as they walked, ran and cycled while / awhile wearing the devices. Researchers found that noon / none of the devices had / did an error rate below 20 per cent. Dr Euan Ashley, co-author of the study, said: "People need to know that on energy expenditure, [the trackers] give rough / roughly estimates."

    The Stanford scientists said uses / users of fitness trackers should be cautious about using the devices to juggle / judge what they eat. Dr Ashley said: "If you go to the gym, and you think you've losing / lost 400 calories, then you might feel you've got 400 calories to play at / with." This could be a problem for those who basis / base what they eat on how many calories their fitness tracker said they burned. One CEO of a fitness tracker company suggested / suggestive the researchers may not give / have adjusted the user settings properly. The CEO told the USA Today newspaper that the study / studies method could have reported incorrect data, saying: "We think the excess / access error reported in energy expenditure is not representative in this study, due for / to this methodological error."

    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)

    _ n_w r_p_rt s_ys f_tn_ss tr_ck_rs _r_ n_t s_ _cc_r_t_ _n m__s_r_ng th_ _m__nt _f c_l_r__s __r b_dy b_rns wh_l_ _x_rc_s_ng, _nd th_t th_s m_y l__d p__pl_ t_ m_k_ p__r d_c_s__ns _b__t th__r d__t. Th_ st_dy _s fr_m St_nf_rd _n_v_rs_ty _n th_ _S_. R_s__rch_rs _v_l__t_d th_ _cc_r_cy _f f_v_ p_p_l_r tr_ck_rs. Th_s_ _ncl_d_d th_ _ppl_ W_tch, M_cr_s_ft B_nd, F_tb_t S_rg_ _nd S_ms_ng G__r S2. Th_ r_s__rch_rs _bs_rv_d 60 v_l_nt__rs _s th_y w_lk_d, r_n _nd cycl_d wh_l_ w__r_ng th_ d_v_c_s. R_s__rch_rs f__nd th_t n_n_ _f th_ d_v_c_s h_d _n _rr_r r_t_ b_l_w 20 p_r c_nt. Dr ___n _shl_y, c_-__th_r _f th_ st_dy, s__d: "P__pl_ n__d t_ kn_w th_t _n _n_rgy _xp_nd_t_r_, [th_ tr_ck_rs] g_v_ r__gh _st_m_t_s."

    Th_ St_nf_rd sc__nt_sts s__d _s_rs _f f_tn_ss tr_ck_rs sh__ld b_ c__t___s _b__t _s_ng th_ d_v_c_s t_ j_dg_ wh_t th_y __t. Dr _shl_y s__d: "_f y__ g_ t_ th_ gym, _nd y__ th_nk y__'v_ l_st 400 c_l_r__s, th_n y__ m_ght f__l y__'v_ g_t 400 c_l_r__s t_ pl_y w_th." Th_s c__ld b_ _ pr_bl_m f_r th_s_ wh_ b_s_ wh_t th_y __t _n h_w m_ny c_l_r__s th__r f_tn_ss tr_ck_r s__d th_y b_rn_d. _n_ C__ _f _ f_tn_ss tr_ck_r c_mp_ny s_gg_st_d th_ r_s__rch_rs m_y n_t h_v_ _dj_st_d th_ _s_r s_tt_ngs pr_p_rly. Th_ C__ t_ld th_ _S_ T_d_y n_wsp_p_r th_t th_ st_dy m_th_d c__ld h_v_ r_p_rt_d _nc_rr_ct d_t_, s_y_ng: "W_ th_nk th_ _xc_ss _rr_r r_p_rt_d _n _n_rgy _xp_nd_t_r_ _s n_t r_pr_s_nt_t_v_ _n th_s st_dy, d__ t_ th_s m_th_d_l_g_c_l _rr_r."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    a new report says fitness trackers are not so accurate in measuring the amount of calories our body burns while exercising and that this may lead people to make poor decisions about their diet the study is from stanford university in the usa researchers evaluated the accuracy of five popular trackers these included the apple watch microsoft band fitbit surge and samsung gear s2 the researchers observed 60 volunteers as they walked ran and cycled while wearing the devices researchers found that none of the devices had an error rate below 20 per cent dr euan ashley co-author of the study said "people need to know that on energy expenditure [the trackers] give rough estimates"

    the stanford scientists said users of fitness trackers should be cautious about using the devices to judge what they eat dr ashley said "if you go to the gym and you think you've lost 400 calories then you might feel you've got 400 calories to play with" this could be a problem for those who base what they eat on how many calories their fitness tracker said they burned one ceo of a fitness tracker company suggested the researchers may not have adjusted the user settings properly the ceo told the usa today newspaper that the study method could have reported incorrect data saying "we think the excess error reported in energy expenditure is not representative in this study due to this methodological error"

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Anewreportsaysfitnesstrackersarenotsoaccurateinmeasuringthea
    mountofcaloriesourbodyburnswhileexercising,andthatthismaylead
    peopletomakepoordecisionsabouttheirdiet.ThestudyisfromStanford
    UniversityintheUSA.Researchersevaluatedtheaccuracyoffivepopula
    rtrackers.TheseincludedtheAppleWatch,MicrosoftBand,FitbitSurge
    andSamsungGearS2.Theresearchersobserved60volunteersasthey
    walked,ranandcycledwhilewearingthedevices.Researchersfoundtha
    tnoneofthedeviceshadanerrorratebelow20percent.DrEuanAshley,c
    o-authorofthestudy,said:"Peopleneedtoknowthatonenergyexpend
    iture,[thetrackers]giveroughestimates."TheStanfordscientistssaid
    usersoffitnesstrackersshouldbecautiousaboutusingthedevicestojud
    gewhattheyeat.DrAshleysaid:"Ifyougotothegym,andyouthinkyou'v
    elost400calories,thenyoumightfeelyou'vegot400caloriestoplaywith
    ."Thiscouldbeaproblemforthosewhobasewhattheyeatonhowmanyc
    aloriestheirfitnesstrackersaidtheyburned.OneCEOofafitnesstracker
    companysuggestedtheresearchersmaynothaveadjustedtheusersett
    ingsproperly.TheCEOtoldtheUSATodaynewspaperthatthestudymet
    hodcouldhavereportedincorrectdata,saying:"Wethinktheexcesserr
    orreportedinenergyexpenditureisnotrepresentativeinthisstudy,due
    tothismethodologicalerror."

    Free writing

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

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    Academic writing

    Everyone should wear a fitness tracker and base their diet on it. 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 this news. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.

    3. FITNESS TRACKERS: Make a poster about fitness trackers. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?

    4. DIET: Write a magazine article about everyone having to base their diet on the data given by wearing a fitness tracker. 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 fitness trackers. Ask him/her three questions about them. Give him/her three of your ideas on how we can encourage everyone to wear one. 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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