Pre-reading questions:
- Have your friendships helped you cope with stressful or challenging situations?
- Can positive friendships lead to healthier lifestyle choices and habits?
Vocabulary:
- cherish /CHER-ish/
- friendship /FREND-ship/
- connection /kuh-NEK-shuhn/
- chance /chans/
- precedence /PRES-i-duhns/
[verb] – to love, protect, and care for someone or something that is important to you
I cherish the friendship we have built over the years.
[noun] – a friendly relationship, or the state of being friends
My best friend and I have a strong friendship because we trust and support each other.
[noun] – the state of being related to someone or something els
I feel a strong connection to nature when I go for walks in the park and listen to the birds singing.
[noun] – an occasion that allows something to be done
I missed the chance to see my favorite band in concert because the tickets sold out too quickly.
[noun] – the condition of being dealt with before other things or of being considered more important than other things
In our family, safety always takes precedence over everything else.
Article reading:
Research conducted on adults aged 50 and above found that individuals with more friends had lower chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and depression. The study also highlighted the importance of social connections in reducing stress levels and promoting healthier behaviors. While the study focused on older adults, the findings are relevant to people of all ages.
In today’s fast-paced world, where work and other responsibilities often take precedence, it’s easy to overlook the significance of maintaining strong social connections. However, the benefits of friendship for one’s well-being cannot be overstated. So take a moment to cherish your friends and appreciate the color and meaning they bring to your life. Remember, friendships are not only a source of happiness but also a vital factor in maintaining good health.
True or False:
- Having friends can impact your health.
- Recent studies have shown that social connections can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and promote better cognitive function.
- Only older adults can benefit from social connections.
- Individuals with more friends had higher chances of developing heart disease, diabetes, and depression.
- Social connections can help reduce stress levels and promote healthier behaviors.
Fill in the blanks:
cherish | friendship | connection | chance | precedence |
- I feel a strong ______ to nature when I go for a hike in the mountains.
- If you study hard, you have a ______ to get a good grade on the test.
- My grandmother ______ the necklace her mother gave her.
- I made many new ______ when I joined a sports team at school.
- The teacher explained that listening takes ______ over talking in a conversation.