Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What do you think is the best time of day to exercise?
- If a friend was feeling weak or sick, what kind of advice would you give them to help them feel better?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- session /SESH-uhn/
- trial /TRAHY-uhl/
- evidence /EV-i-duhns/
- affordable /uh-FAWR-duh-buhl/
- standard /STAN-derd/
[noun] – a period of time set for a specific activity or purpose
The training program includes weekly sessions on teamwork skills.
[noun] – a test or study done to see how something works
A new trial tested how well the vaccine works on young children.
[noun] – facts or information that help to prove something
The scientist showed evidence that the new medicine is effective.
[adjective] – not too expensive; reasonably priced
Many people buy affordable furniture to save money when moving to a new house.
[adjective] – commonly accepted or usual
The factory follows standard safety rules to protect workers.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A large international study has shown that regular exercise can improve survival rates for colon cancer patients. The study tracked 889 people from Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel, and the United States who had finished chemotherapy. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers found that participants who joined a three-year exercise program had 28% fewer cancer recurrences and 37% fewer fatalities from any cause. The program included coaching sessions every two weeks for one year, then monthly sessions for the next two years. These sessions helped participants increase their physical activity, including walking for 45 minutes several times a week. The results were shared at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) in Chicago.
Experts described the study as the first randomized controlled trial to show that exercise can reduce the risk of cancer coming back and help people live longer. Dr. Julie Gralow of ASCO said the research offers strong evidence for recommendations that were not proven before. Exercise programs cost several thousand dollars per patient, which experts say is affordable compared to medical treatments. The study also collected blood samples to study how exercise helps prevent cancer, such as by improving insulin control and supporting the immune system. Experts recommend that exercise coaching should become part of standard care for colon cancer patients.
Experts described the study as the first randomized controlled trial to show that exercise can reduce the risk of cancer coming back and help people live longer. Dr. Julie Gralow of ASCO said the research offers strong evidence for recommendations that were not proven before. Exercise programs cost several thousand dollars per patient, which experts say is affordable compared to medical treatments. The study also collected blood samples to study how exercise helps prevent cancer, such as by improving insulin control and supporting the immune system. Experts recommend that exercise coaching should become part of standard care for colon cancer patients.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What kind of cancer does the study talk about?
- How many people joined the study?
- What five countries did the people in the study come from?
- What did the people in the study finish before they joined the exercise program?
- What do experts recommend should be part of standard care for colon cancer patients?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever done an exercise program or a fitness class? If so, what kind of exercise did you do? If not, would you like to try a fitness class someday? Why or why not?
- Have you learned about ways to make your immune system stronger? If yes, what ways did you learn? If not, what do you think could help make your body stronger?
- Do you agree that exercise should be part of the care for cancer patients?
- Why do you think the study focused on people from different countries like Canada, Australia, and Israel?
- Why do you think coaching is important in helping patients follow an exercise plan?