A growing library of level-graded English lessons for classroom or self-study, with reading, listening, vocabulary, activities, and discussion practice from A1 to B2.
Lesson Info
In this lesson:
- Warm-up Prediction task and general discussion questions.
- Vocab List Useful words and meanings.
- Reading Read the main text.
- Listen and Fill Gaps Listen for missing words.
- True or False Check understanding.
- Vocab Match Connect words to meanings.
- Discussion Questions Open speaking questions for discussion (or writing practice).
- Answers Answer key for the printed tasks.
Think Ahead: What do you think scientists look at in this study?
a) Small changes inside people's bodies.
b) How young people look in photos.
c) Which vitamin tastes the best.
Ask: (1) Read the headline. What do you think it means? (2) Are you a healthy person? (3) Do you take any vitamins? If so, which ones, and why?
VOCAB LIST
Reading
A new study shows that vitamin D might help people age more slowly. The research was published in a medical journal called The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Scientists found that vitamin D may protect telomeres. Telomeres are parts at the end of our DNA that get shorter as we get older. When they get too short, they can cause health problems like cancer.
The study used data from a larger project called the VITAL trial. In this study, over 1,000 adults (women aged 55+ and men aged 50+) were followed for five years. Some people took 2,000 units of vitamin D and 1 gram of omega-3 every day. Others took a placebo. The scientists checked their telomere length at the beginning, after two years, and after four years.
The results showed that vitamin D helped slow the shortening of telomeres. This may mean that vitamin D slows biological aging by about three years. However, omega-3 did not show any effect on telomere length.
Experts say these results are interesting, but they want more research. The study was small, and it only looked at one type of cell. Scientists still do not know how this connects to real-life health outcomes.
Vitamin D has other known health benefits. It can help keep bones strong, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. But too much vitamin D can cause health problems, like high calcium levels or kidney issues.
To get vitamin D, people can spend time in the sun, take supplements, or eat certain foods. These include fatty fish like salmon and tuna, egg yolks, and vitamin D-fortified milk. Some mushrooms and cheese also contain small amounts.
Doctors say it’s best to check your vitamin D level before taking supplements. In healthy people with normal levels, extra vitamin D might not be helpful. Good sleep, exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking are still the best ways to stay young and healthy.
Vitamin D May Help Slow Aging
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
Think Ahead: What do you think scientists look at in this study?
a) Small changes inside people's bodies.
b) How young people look in photos.
c) Which vitamin tastes the best.
Ask: (1) Read the headline. What do you think it means? (2) Are you a healthy person? (3) Do you take any vitamins? If so, which ones, and why?
-
Telomere (n.)
-
DNA (n.)
-
Placebo (n.)
-
Supplement (n.)
-
Biological (adj.)
-
Calcium (n.)
-
Kidney (n.)
-
Fortified (adj.)
-
Outcome (n.)
-
Diabetes (n.)
A new study shows that vitamin D might help people age more slowly. The research was published in a medical journal called The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Scientists found that vitamin D may protect telomeres. Telomeres are parts at the end of our DNA that get shorter as we get older. When they get too short, they can cause health problems like cancer.
The study used data from a larger project called the VITAL trial. In this study, over 1,000 adults (women aged 55+ and men aged 50+) were followed for five years. Some people took 2,000 units of vitamin D and 1 gram of omega-3 every day. Others took a placebo. The scientists checked their telomere length at the beginning, after two years, and after four years.
The results showed that vitamin D helped slow the shortening of telomeres. This may mean that vitamin D slows biological aging by about three years. However, omega-3 did not show any effect on telomere length.
Experts say these results are interesting, but they want more research. The study was small, and it only looked at one type of cell. Scientists still do not know how this connects to real-life health outcomes.
Vitamin D has other known health benefits. It can help keep bones strong, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. But too much vitamin D can cause health problems, like high calcium levels or kidney issues.
To get vitamin D, people can spend time in the sun, take supplements, or eat certain foods. These include fatty fish like salmon and tuna, egg yolks, and vitamin D-fortified milk. Some mushrooms and cheese also contain small amounts.
Doctors say it’s best to check your vitamin D level before taking supplements. In healthy people with normal levels, extra vitamin D might not be helpful. Good sleep, exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking are still the best ways to stay young and healthy.
Two ways to use this audio:
- Method 1: Listen for the main idea: what is the article about in one sentence? Listen a second time for more details, then try the Understanding activities below.
- Method 2: Read the article first to learn the vocabulary and ideas. Then look at the gap-fill sentences to see what to listen for, and listen to fill them in.
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio and complete the gaps below:
Loading listening activity...
Listen and Fill Gaps
Listen to the audio on eslnewsstories.com and complete the gaps below:
A new study shows that vitamin D might help people age more slowly. The research was (1) in a medical journal called The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Scientists found that vitamin D may protect telomeres. Telomeres are parts at the end of our DNA that get (2) as we get older. When they get too short, they can cause health problems like cancer.
The study used data from a larger project called the VITAL trial. In this study, over 1,000 (3) (women aged 55+ and men aged 50+) were followed for five years. Some people took 2,000 units of vitamin D and 1 gram of omega-3 every day. Others took a placebo. The scientists checked their telomere (4) at the beginning, after two years, and after four years.
The results showed that vitamin D helped slow the shortening of telomeres. This may mean that vitamin D slows biological aging by about three years. However, omega-3 did not show any effect on telomere length.
Experts say these results are (5) , but they want more research. The study was small, and it only looked at one type of cell. Scientists still do not know how this connects to real-life health outcomes.
Vitamin D has other known health benefits. It can help keep bones strong, lower blood pressure, and (6) the risk of diabetes and heart disease. But too much vitamin D can cause health problems, like high calcium levels or kidney issues.
To get vitamin D, people can spend time in the sun, take supplements, or eat certain foods. These include fatty fish like salmon and (7) , egg yolks, and vitamin D-fortified milk. Some mushrooms and cheese also contain small amounts.
Doctors say it's best to check your vitamin D level before taking supplements. In healthy people with normal levels, extra vitamin D might not be (8) . Good sleep, exercise, a healthy diet, and not smoking are still the best ways to stay young and healthy.
True or False
Answer each question by selecting True or False, then click CHECK to see your results.
True or False
1. Vitamin D may help slow down the aging process by protecting telomeres. TRUEFALSE True
2. The study proved that omega-3 supplements are better than vitamin D for slowing aging. TRUEFALSE False
3. Doctors say everyone should take vitamin D supplements, no matter their current levels. TRUEFALSE False
4. Spending time in sunlight can help your body produce vitamin D. TRUEFALSE True
Vocab Match
Drag each vocabulary word to its matching definition:
Loading vocabulary activity...
Vocab Match
Write each vocabulary word next to its matching definition.
1. Telomeref) A small part at the end of a DNA strand that protects it. Telomeres get shorter as people get older.
2. DNAe) The material in cells that carries genetic information. It tells the body how to grow and work.
3. Placebod) A pill or treatment with no real medicine, used in studies to compare results.
4. Supplementc) Something you take, like a pill, to add to your normal diet for extra health benefits.
5. Biologicalb) Related to the body and living things.
6. Outcomea) The result of something, especially a study or action.
a) The result of something, especially a study or action.
b) Related to the body and living things.
c) Something you take, like a pill, to add to your normal diet for extra health benefits.
d) A pill or treatment with no real medicine, used in studies to compare results.
e) The material in cells that carries genetic information. It tells the body how to grow and work.
f) A small part at the end of a DNA strand that protects it. Telomeres get shorter as people get older.
Discussion Questions
- What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information?
- What are some signs that a person is getting older?
- Do you want to slow the aging process in your body?
- Do you think food or pills are a better source of nutrients?
- How much time do you spend in the sun each week?
- What are some health benefits of sunlight? What are the risks of too much sunlight?
- Do you think people will live longer in the future?
- Do you want to live to 100 years old? Why or why not?
- Do you check food labels for ingredients?
- Would you consider taking part in a medical study? Why or why not?
Discussion Questions
- What did you think about this story? Was there any surprising information?
- What are some signs that a person is getting older?
- Do you want to slow the aging process in your body?
- Do you think food or pills are a better source of nutrients?
- How much time do you spend in the sun each week?
- What are some health benefits of sunlight? What are the risks of too much sunlight?
- Do you think people will live longer in the future?
- Do you want to live to 100 years old? Why or why not?
- Do you check food labels for ingredients?
- Would you consider taking part in a medical study? Why or why not?
Answers
Think Ahead: a
Listening: (1) published, (2) shorter, (3) adults, (4) length, (5) interesting, (6) reduce, (7) tuna, (8) helpful
True or False:
- True. The study showed that vitamin D helped reduce the shortening of telomeres, which is linked to slower aging.
- False. Omega-3 supplements had no effect on telomere length, but vitamin D showed benefits.
- False. Experts say healthy people with normal vitamin D levels may not need supplements.
- True. Sunlight helps the body make vitamin D from cholesterol in the skin.
Vocabulary:
- Telomere: A small part at the end of a DNA strand that protects it. Telomeres get shorter as people get older.
- DNA: The material in cells that carries genetic information. It tells the body how to grow and work.
- Placebo: A pill or treatment with no real medicine, used in studies to compare results.
- Supplement: Something you take, like a pill, to add to your normal diet for extra health benefits.
- Biological: Related to the body and living things.
- Outcome: The result of something, especially a study or action.