TEACHER’S NOTES

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Blue Zones

Activity Type Introduction

Reading, matching, In this discussion practice activity, students learn topic-based
listening and speaking vocabulary and discuss questions on the topic of longevity.
activity, group work
Procedure
Focus Give each student a copy of the worksheet.
Discussion skills
First, students read a text about Blue Zones and then match the
Discussion practice topic-based vocabulary from the text to their correct definitions.

Exercise A - Answer key

Aim
1. d 2. h 3. e 4. b 5. g 6. a 7. f 8. c
To learn topic based
vocabulary and discuss Afterwards, in groups of three, students discuss six longevity-
questions on the topic of related questions with each group member leading the discussion
longevity. for two questions.

Preparation
Make a copy of the
worksheet for each
student.

Level
Upper-intermediate (B2)

Time
30 minutes

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 DISCUSSIONS

WORKSHEETS, ACTIVITIE S & GA ME S Blue Zones

A. Read the text about Blue Zones and then match the words in bold to their definitions.

'Blue Zones' refer to geographic areas where people have low rates
of (a) chronic disease and have the highest rates of (b) longevity
in the world.
Five known Blue Zones include: Icaria (Greece): people here eat
a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, red wine and homegrown
vegetables. Sardinia (Italy): home to some of the oldest men in
the world who live in the mountains, do farm work and drink large
quantities of red wine. Okinawa (Japan): home to the oldest women in the world. They eat a
diet heavy in soy-based foods and practice a form of exercise known as tai chi. Nicoya Peninsula
(Costa Rica): beans and corn (c) tortillas form the base of the Nicoyan diet. The people here
live with a sense of purpose and perform physical work well into old age. The Seventh-day
Adventists in Loma Linda, California (USA): These people are very religious, strict vegetarians,
and live in (d) tight-knit communities.
Studies show that these areas contain extremely high concentrations of (e) nonagenarians
and (f) centenarians. It is estimated by scientists that genetics accounts for only a quarter
of the factors that contribute to longevity. This illustrates the importance of environmental
influences such as diet and lifestyle in determining the length of your life.
There are a number of diet and lifestyle habits followed by those who live in Blue Zones. To
begin with, they eat a diet full of whole plant foods, (g) fast regularly, and follow the Okinawan
80% rule. This means that they stop eating when they feel 80% full, rather than 100% full.
They consume alcohol in moderate amounts, exercise as part of their daily routine and get
plenty of sleep. People in Blue Zones tend to be religious or spiritual and live (h) purposeful
lives. Finally, these communities are also more likely to have a mix of older and younger people
living and working together, and the elderly maintain a healthy social network.

1. A group of people connected by strong relationships and common interests ......

2. Describes someone who does something for an important reason ......

3. A person who is between 90 and 99 years old ......

4. Living for a long time ......

5. To eat no food for a period of time ......

6. An illness or problem that continues for a long time......

7. Someone who is 100 years old or more ......

8. A type of thin round bread made from corn or wheat flour ......

B. In groups of three, discuss the longevity-related questions below.

1. Describe an elderly person that you admire. What do you admire about them?

2. Are there other regions with high rates of longevity besides these five known Blue Zones?

3. Do you live a healthy lifestyle? Are there any changes you would make to be healthier?

4. Do you think it's good to be an old person in your country? Why or why not?

5. What are some of the challenges countries face as their populations grow older?

6. Would you like to live forever? Why or why not?

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