CATEGORIES:
BiologyChemistryConstructionCultureEcologyEconomyElectronicsFinanceGeographyHistoryInformaticsLawMathematicsMechanicsMedicineOtherPedagogyPhilosophyPhysicsPolicyPsychologySociologySportTourism
Cure for Common Cold Close
Scientists could soon find a cure for the common cold. Researchers have been trying for decades to help us fight the virus that visits us several times a year and gives us runny noses, sniffs, sneezes, coughs and days off work and school. There are hundreds of pills and syrups on the market to help us, but none of them cure our colds. The best treatment to date is to stay indoors, away from people with a cold. However, a new discovery from scientists at Cambridge University could mean the end to our yearly suffering. Researchers at the university’s Medical Research Council lab have found a new way to attack and kill the viruses that infect our cells in the nose, lungs and stomach. Their experiments give a lot of hope that we can boost our body’s natural defences against many viruses.
The research leader, Dr Leo James, believes his team’s discovery is a landmark in keeping us all healthier and protecting us from viruses in the future. He said: “Doctors have plenty of antibiotics to fight bacterial infections but few anti-viral drugs. Although these are early days…we are excited that our discoveries may open multiple avenues for developing new anti-viral drugs.” These medicines could be on pharmacy shelves within a decade. The researchers hope to start testing drugs on humans within the next three years. Dr James’ discovery will help millions. He acknowledged that while the cold may not be “the biggest killer… most people are likely to be affected”. The research is likely to be a big help in finding cures for more deadly viruses.
B. Go around the class and talk to other students about colds. Change partners often. Sit with your first partner(s) and share your findings.
C. In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are the most interesting and which are the most boring ones. Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
| cures | sneezes | research | pharmacy |
| virus | best treatment | antibiotics | biggest killers |
| runny noses | new discoveries | infections | deadly |
D. SYMPTOMS: What do you do? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again.
| Symptoms | What do you do? | How well does it work? |
| Runny nose | ||
| Cough | ||
| Sneezing | ||
| Fever | ||
| Headache | ||
| Tiredness |
E. CURES: Students A strongly believe we will have cures for everything one day; Students B strongly believe we won’t. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
F. TREATMENTS: Which ones are the best? Rank these and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top.
| · Western · Chinese · herbal · homeopathy | · aromatherapy · ayurveda · acupuncture · mother’s remedies |
G. DISCUSSION
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)
| a) | What did you think when you read the headline? |
| b) | What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘cold’? |
| c) | How often do you catch colds? |
| d) | What’s the best remedy for a cold? |
| e) | Will this new cure change your life much? |
| f) | What’s the worst thing about a cold? |
| g) | Do you always take the day off if you have a cold? |
| h) | Can you do things to prevent colds? |
| I) | Do you believe you can catch a cold by walking in the rain? |
| j) | What medicines do you take for a cold? |
STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)
| a) | Did you like reading this article? |
| b) | How big discovery do you think this is? |
| c) | What benefits will a cure for the common cold have on society? |
| d) | Do you think we will ever be totally protected from viruses? |
| e) | What’s the difference between bacterial infections and viral infections? |
| f) | What’s the maximum you’d pay for a cold cure? |
| g) | Should Dr Leo James get the Nobel Prize for medicine? |
| h) | Do you think this is the beginning of the end of all viruses? |
| I) | What three adjectives would you use to describe this article? |
| j) | What questions would you like to ask Dr Leo James? |
H. Write a letter to the person who found the cure for the common cold. Ask him/her three questions about colds. Give him/her three ways in which the cure will change people’s lives. Read your letter to your partner(s) at your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.
Exercise 3.
BEFORE READING
Date: 2015-12-17; view: 1080