Level-graded English lessons with reading, listening, activities, and discussion.
Lesson Info
Lesson Content
Warm-up, Vocab List, Reading and Audio
Understanding: Main Idea, True or False, Multiple Choice
Language: Words That Go Together, New Sentences
Use It: Discussion Builder, Discussion Questions
Answers
Think Ahead: Why do you think people choose to take supplements?
a) To support their health
b) To have more energy
c) To fill gaps in their diet
Vocab List
Reading
A new survey suggests that nearly eight in ten adults in the United States take at least one supplement. However, medical experts say that many supplements have little proven benefit.
The Pew Research Center survey included 3,554 adults. Vitamins and minerals were the most common products, used by 67 percent of people in the survey. About one in three people said they used protein powders, bars, or drinks. Use of protein supplements was highest among adults under 50.
Experts say supplements can be important when people do not get enough of an important nutrient or to help prevent health problems in babies at birth. However, most people take supplements for other reasons. For example, people may take omega-3 supplements to improve heart or brain health, but most medical studies have not found clear evidence of these benefits.
Social media may be helping to increase interest in supplements, especially protein products. Yet most people already get enough protein from food, experts say. Strength exercises, such as lifting weights, are also more important than extra protein for building or maintaining muscle.
Supplements can be convenient, but they can also create risks. High doses of vitamins or minerals can be harmful, and some herbal products can damage the liver or affect how medicines work. Experts recommend people speak with a doctor before taking a supplement.
Supplement Use Grows Despite Questions
Think Ahead: Why do you think people choose to take supplements?
a) To support their health
b) To have more energy
c) To fill gaps in their diet
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supplement (n.)
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survey (n.)
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proven (adj.)
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nutrient (n.)
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omega-3 (n.)
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evidence (n.)
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dose (n.)
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herbal (adj.)
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protein (n.)
A new survey suggests that nearly eight in ten adults in the United States take at least one supplement. However, medical experts say that many supplements have little proven benefit.
The Pew Research Center survey included 3,554 adults. Vitamins and minerals were the most common products, used by 67 percent of people in the survey. About one in three people said they used protein powders, bars, or drinks. Use of protein supplements was highest among adults under 50.
Experts say supplements can be important when people do not get enough of an important nutrient or to help prevent health problems in babies at birth. However, most people take supplements for other reasons. For example, people may take omega-3 supplements to improve heart or brain health, but most medical studies have not found clear evidence of these benefits.
Social media may be helping to increase interest in supplements, especially protein products. Yet most people already get enough protein from food, experts say. Strength exercises, such as lifting weights, are also more important than extra protein for building or maintaining muscle.
Supplements can be convenient, but they can also create risks. High doses of vitamins or minerals can be harmful, and some herbal products can damage the liver or affect how medicines work. Experts recommend people speak with a doctor before taking a supplement.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
A new (1) suggests that nearly eight in ten adults in the United States take at least one supplement. However, medical experts say that many supplements have little proven benefit.
The Pew Research Center survey included 3,554 adults. Vitamins and minerals were the most (2) products, used by 67 percent of people in the survey. About one in three people said they used protein powders, bars, or drinks. Use of protein supplements was highest among adults under 50.
Experts say supplements can be important when people do not get enough of an important nutrient or to help (3) health problems in babies at birth. However, most people take supplements for other reasons. For example, people may take omega-3 supplements to improve heart or brain health, but most medical studies have not found clear (4) of these benefits.
Social media may be helping to increase interest in supplements, especially protein products. Yet most people already get enough protein from food, experts say. Strength exercises, such as (5) weights, are also more important than extra protein for building or maintaining muscle.
Supplements can be convenient, but they can also create risks. High doses of vitamins or minerals can be (6) , and some herbal products can damage the liver or affect how medicines work. Experts recommend people speak with a doctor before taking a supplement.
Main Idea
Choose one answer, then click CHECK to see your result.
Main Idea
Choose one:
- Many people use supplements, but experts say they often have limited benefits and possible risks. Correct answer
- Protein supplements are becoming more popular because social media promotes muscle building.
- Supplements are mainly helpful for people who do not get enough nutrients from food.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Most people need protein supplements because they cannot get enough protein from food. TRUEFALSE False
2. Supplements may be important for people who do not get enough of a needed nutrient. TRUEFALSE True
3. Medical studies have clearly shown that omega-3 supplements improve heart and brain health. TRUEFALSE False
4. Experts recommend speaking with a doctor before taking a supplement. TRUEFALSE True
Multiple Choice
Answer each question by selecting A, B, or C, then click CHECK to see your results.
Multiple Choice
1. According to the survey, which supplements were most common among the people surveyed?
a) Protein powders, bars, and drinks
b) Vitamins and mineralsCorrect
c) Herbal products
2. Which group had the highest use of protein supplements?
a) Adults under 50Correct
b) Adults over 50
c) Babies at birth
3. What may be helping to increase interest in supplements, especially protein products?
a) Medical studies
b) Social mediaCorrect
c) Strength exercises
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Words That Go Together
Drag each word to its match below, or select a word and then select its match:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Words That Go Together
Match each word with the words it goes with:
1. takee) a supplement
2. provend) benefit
3. proteinc) powder
4. clearb) evidence
5. higha) doses
a) doses
b) evidence
c) powder
d) benefit
e) a supplement
New Sentences
Choose the best word for each new sentence.
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The school sent families a {blank} with questions about bus rides.
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This idea is not yet {blank}, so scientists want to study it more.
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The wet ground was {blank} that it had rained during the night.
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The nurse explained how much medicine to take in each {blank}.
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This {blank} soap is made from plants.
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Eggs give your body {blank} to help build muscle.
New Sentences
dose / evidence / herbal / nutrient / protein / proven / supplement / survey
- The school sent families a with questions about bus rides.
- This idea is not yet , so scientists want to study it more.
- The wet ground was that it had rained during the night.
- The nurse explained how much medicine to take in each .
- This soap is made from plants.
- Eggs give your body to help build muscle.
Discussion Builder
1) Giving a reason for a preference 2) Giving an example to support an opinion
Q: Omega-3 is found in foods such as fish. Would you rather get nutrients from food or from a supplement? Explain your preference.
A:Q: Herbal products may seem natural to some people. Does “natural” always mean safe in your opinion? Why or why not?
A:
Discussion Builder
Choose the best phrase for each gap:
Q: Omega-3 is found in foods such as fish. Would you rather get nutrients from food or from a supplement? Explain your preference.
A: I would rather get nutrients from food meals can provide several healthy things at once.
because / although / unless
I would rather get nutrients from food because meals can provide several healthy things at once.
Q: Herbal products may seem natural to some people. Does “natural” always mean safe in your opinion? Why or why not?
A: “Natural” does not always mean safe. some herbal products can affect how medicines work.
For example, / Instead, / However,
“Natural” does not always mean safe. For example, some herbal products can affect how medicines work.
Discussion Questions
- What was your first reaction to the survey finding that nearly eight in ten adults in the United States take supplements?
- Do you, or do people you know, take vitamins, protein products, or other supplements? What are the main reasons?
- Why do you think supplements are so popular, even when their benefits are not always proven?
- Many people use protein powders, bars, and drinks. In what situations do these products seem useful or convenient?
- The article says that strength exercise can be more important than extra protein for building muscle. What are some realistic ways people can add exercise to a busy week?
- Omega-3 is found in foods such as fish. Would you rather get nutrients from food or from a supplement? Explain your preference.
- Why might younger adults be especially interested in protein products? Do you see this trend in advertising, sports, or social media?
- Herbal products may seem natural to some people. Does “natural” always mean safe in your opinion? Why or why not?
Discussion Questions
- What was your first reaction to the survey finding that nearly eight in ten adults in the United States take supplements?
- Do you, or do people you know, take vitamins, protein products, or other supplements? What are the main reasons?
- Why do you think supplements are so popular, even when their benefits are not always proven?
- Many people use protein powders, bars, and drinks. In what situations do these products seem useful or convenient?
- The article says that strength exercise can be more important than extra protein for building muscle. What are some realistic ways people can add exercise to a busy week?
- Omega-3 is found in foods such as fish. Would you rather get nutrients from food or from a supplement? Explain your preference.
- Why might younger adults be especially interested in protein products? Do you see this trend in advertising, sports, or social media?
- Herbal products may seem natural to some people. Does “natural” always mean safe in your opinion? Why or why not?
Answers
Listening: (1) survey, (2) common, (3) prevent, (4) evidence, (5) lifting, (6) harmful
Main Idea: Many people use supplements, but experts say they often have limited benefits and possible risks.
True or False:
- False. Experts say that most people already get enough protein from the food they eat.
- True. Experts say supplements can help when people do not get enough of an important nutrient.
- False. The story says that most medical studies have not found clear evidence of these benefits.
- True. High doses and some herbal products can be harmful or affect medicines, so experts recommend speaking with a doctor.
Multiple Choice: b, a, b
Vocabulary:
- take: a supplement
- proven: benefit
- protein: powder
- clear: evidence
- high: doses
New Sentences: 1. survey; 2. proven; 3. evidence; 4. dose; 5. herbal; 6. protein
Discussion Builder:
Hints: 1) Giving a reason for a preference. 2) Giving an example to support an opinion.
- because
- For example,