HOW TO PREVENT A COLD

LEAD-IN: Talk to your partner.

1) How often do you get colds?
2) What do you do when you have one?
3) Tick which of these are the normal symptoms of a cold
you feel dizzy you have a blocked nose you have a sore throat
you sneeze you cough you feel sick
you have a headache your nose runs your back aches

1. LISTENING: Its getting really cold these days! We have interviewed some
teachers to find out what they do to avoid getting a cold. Listen to the interview
and number the pictures below in the order in which they are mentioned.

example: 1

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2. Listen again and fill in the gaps with the word you hear (ONLY 1 word)

a. Fortunately, I hardly ever catch a cold. I think its because I always have a
good sleep. I sleep 7 to 8 hours every day. It helps me feel 1.__________ all
winter long!

b. When its cold I wear warm winter clothes. As it rains a lot in Ourense, I
often wear a 2.___________ and wellies, that is, rain boots. And I never forget to
take an umbrella with me!

c. Doing exercise, yes, doing exercise helps you be stronger. I havent got a
cold ever since I started running 3.__________ a week.

d. I think the best way to prevent a cold is drinking lots of water. I drink at
least five 4.____________ of water every day and I havent caught a cold for
ages!

e. To avoid catching a cold, I take a spoonful of honey for breakfast every

morning. If I feel it coming on, I mix honey with lemon 5._________ and heat
the mixture. It helps me feel better!

f. To prevent getting a cold I drink a glass of orange juice every day. It is full of
6.____________ C, which is great to boost your immune system.

g. Something that I do which I think is useful to avoid getting a cold is to

consume some ginger. Some researchers believe that ginger promotes healthy
7_________ which helps you boost your immune system.

h. What I do to prevent a cold? Well, I 8._________ things up. My doctor told me

that spices are beneficial bug fighters and, believe me, its true!

3. SPEAKING. In groups of three, discuss the questions below.

1. To avoid catching a cold, do you follow any of the tips above?

2. Which tip do you think is more effective?
3. Can you think of other tips to prevent/ relieve the symptoms of a cold?

FOLLOW UP

If you want to know more about the common cold, click the link below and
complete the reading comprehension task on the topic (key included)

http://www.5minuteenglish.com/oct22.htm

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KEY
Listening comprehension

1. Energetic, 2. Raincoat, 3. Twice, 4. Glasses, 5. Juice, 6. Vitamin, 7. Sweating, 8.

Spice.

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