Read the text and choose four of the statements a–f to match paragraphs 1 - 4.
a. garlic reduces the risk of heart disease.
b. juggling is good for the brain.
c. eating oranges can stop you from getting colds
d. sitting too close to a television is bad for your eyes.
e. if you get cold, you risk catching a cold.
f. reading in poor light can damage your eyes.
truth or myth?
this is a (5) it won’t damage your eyes, (6) it might give you a
headache. the (7) thing is to watch television at a distance that feels
comfortable. but watching too much tv can be a bad idea. in (8) research
shows that children who (9) spend more than 10 hours a week watching
tv are more likely to be overweight and slower to learn at school.
2
this (10) to be true. scientists have found that juggling balls for one
minute every day can increase your brain (11) researchers in germany
carried out brain scans and found that certain areas of the brain had grown
(12) in people who practiced juggling. however, when they (13)
juggling, their brains went back to their (14) size.
3
this is a (15) , but scientists say there is nothing to (16)
that it’s true. however, the use of this vegetable as a natural (17) goes back
to the ancient egyptians, and research shows that it can be an effective
(18) for coughs, sore throats and upset stomachs, among other
(19) unfortunately, many people dislike the smell, but you can take it in
pill form.
4
the truth is that people get colds from viruses, not from being cold. (20)
keeping warm may help you to (21) getting a cold. researchers at cardiff
university’s common cold centre found that a fall in body temperature can
(22) cold viruses to become active. in a (23) a group of people
sat with their feet in (24) of iced water for 20 minutes. a third of them
developed colds in the next five days, compared to only 9% of another group who
kept dry.
task 2
now read the text again and complete the gaps 5–24 with the words below:
although cause illnesses power sensible
appears common larger prove stopped
avoid fact myth regularly treatment
bowls however normal remedy trial
Truth or Myth?
1 D - Sitting too close to a television is bad for your eyes.
This is (5) a myth. It won't damage your eyes, (6) however it might give you a headache. The (7) sensible thing is to watch television at a distance that feels comfortable. But watching too much TV can be a bad idea. In (8) fact, research shows that children who (9) regularly spend more than 10 hours a week watching TV are more likely to be overweight and slower to learn at school.
2 B - Juggling is good for the brain.
This (10) appears to be true. Scientists have found that juggling balls for one minute every day can increase your brain (11) power. Researchers in Germany carried out brain scans and found that certain areas of the brain had grown (12) larger in people who practised juggling. However, when they (13) stopped juggling, their brains went back to their (14) normal size.
3 A- Garlic reduces the risk of heart disease.
This is a (15) common belief, but scientists say there is nothing to (16) prove that it's true. However, the use of this vegetable as a natural (17) remedy goes back to the Ancient Egyptians, and research shows that it can be an effective (18) treatment for coughs, sore throats and upset stomachs, among other (19) illnesses. Unfortunately, many people dislike the smell, but you can take it in pill form.
4 E - If you get cold, you risk catching a cold.
The truth is that people get cold from viruses, not from being cold. (20) Although, keeping warm may help you to (21) avoid getting a cold. Researchers at Cardiff University's Common Cold Centre found that a fall in body temperature can (22) cause cold viruses to become active. In a (23) trial, a group of people sat with their feet in (24) bowls of iced water for 20 minutes. A third of them developed colds in the next five days, compared to only 9% of another group who kept dry.