The Secret of Long Life

Read the following shaggy dog story and give your response.

Agree or disagree and comment on the following statements. Give a reason for your opinion.

A human body is a perfectly organized creation.

A human brain is a fantastic mind machine.

Nowadays people are getting more and more concerned about food and air.

Nowadays unfortunately we are offered nothing to achieve general fitness.

A professional sportsman presents a dull picture.

Any professional sportsman is always a pleasure to look at.

Absolute beginners should start with risky sports.

All sports should be made a part of a weekly routine.

Most sports help flexibility and stamina.

Sports usually ward off diseases.

Swimming is undoubtedly an excellent exercise.

Yoga is a dangerous sport.

You should walk every day to keep fit.

Sports provide a person with a healthy body and a sound mind.

If your body is sound your mind will be sound too.

I’m John Doe. I’m a journalist with an important magazine. The other day I saw a white-haired man sitting on the porch in front of his house. I could see the wrinkles in his face and neck, and his wrinkled hands. Articles on the secrets of living to an advanced age are always popular with our readers, so I decided to pursue this story and discover the secret of this man’s long life. As I approached him, I said:

John: Sir, would it bother you if I talked with you for just a moment?

Man: Not at all. On the contrary, it would delight me. I get very bored sitting here, even for a short time. Until a little while ago I lived a full and active life without a moment’s rest.

J: Well, they say that a lot of activity helps one to live a long time.

M: That’s true, very true. I still feel very well, although my step has slowed down a little.

The conversation continued in that vein for a while. Although I try to be very considerate about obtaining information from older people, it seemed to me that it would now be all right to begin to ask some discreet questions.

J: Would it bother you if I smoked a cigarette?

M: Not at all.

J: I’d offer you one, but I suppose you probably don’t smoke, or drink, or…

M: On the contrary! I’ve always smoked my head off. And until a little while ago I went dancing every night. And as for alcoholic drinks….

J: Do you mean to say that you’ve done these things all your life?

M: Of course. Why does that surprise you so much?

J: I’ve always been told that doing those things is bad for the health.

M: Ridiculous!

J: I suppose that you have another secret… a lot of fruit… vegetables… a lot of exercise in the fresh air….

M: Don’t be silly! I hate exercise in the fresh air, and I don’t like any kind of vegetables.

J: This is incredible!

M: What do you mean, incredible? What are you talking about?

J: It’s just that I can’t understand how you’ve been able to live like that and to have lasted so long. Tell me, how old are you?

M: Me? I’m 27. Why?

From “English Teaching Forum” American English

CHEMICAL ALERT

In November 2005, an 11-year-old schoolgirl called Mollie Clements was invited to speak at the European parliament in Strasbourg. Mollie had just taken part in a research programme that revealed she had 75 manmade chemicals in her blood and she asked the politicians to do something to make the environment cleaner and healthier. Incredibly, just a few hours after Mollie’s speech, the European parliament did what she asked, banning some toxins and forcing companies to do more tests on the chemicals they use.

1) Answer the questions and discuss:

Are you surprised that an 11-year-old would have 75 man-made chemicals in her blood?

Where do you think those chemicals came from?

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