雅思学习：Strikes Over Pensions Cause Chaos in France

（单词翻译:单击）

Scientists say they have found key clues into how long we will live. One of them is a firm handshake. British researchers believe a strong grip is not just a sign of confidence but also an indicator¹ of longevity². Lead author Dr Rachel Cooper, of University College London, said her study looked into 33 different reports on the strength of handshakes. The research involved more than 50,000 men and women and spanned³ 40 years. Dr Cooper concluded that those with weaker handshakes were 70 per cent more likely to die earlier than those with the strongest handshakes. She concludes that people with strong grips may have benefited from a happy childhood that included a healthy diet and plenty of exercise.

The new study, published in the British Medical Journal, also found other signs of living a longer life. These 'measures of physical capability⁴' include walking at a faster pace, getting out of a chair quickly, and being able to balance on one leg. The study showed that slow walkers were almost three times likelier to die at a younger age than those who walked briskly⁵. Those who struggled to get up from their armchairs were twice as likely to die earlier than those who sprang out of their chairs. Dr Cooper believes there needs to be more research into the link between physical capability and longevity. “Research that helps people to enjoy a long and healthy life is ever more important to help cater⁶ for an ageing population,” she said.

WARM-UPS

1. LONGER LIFE: Walk around the class and talk to other students about longer life. Change partners often. Sit with your first partner(s) and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring.

scientists / clues / firm handshakes / longevity / strength / childhood / diet / exercise / study / physical capability / balance on one leg / slow walkers / armchairs / ageing

Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. CAPABILITIES⁷: What do you think these abilities show? Make imaginary research conclusions. Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners and share what you wrote. Change and share again. Vote as a class on the best, funniest…

Ability to…	This shows…	It has a big effect on…
eat fast
type quickly
remember names
stand still
tolerate the cold
whistle

4. HANDSHAKES: Students A strongly believe a firm handshake means you will live longer; Students B strongly believe there’s no relation between handshake strength and longevity.  Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
5. MY ABILITIES: Which of these do you most want? Rank them and share your rankings with your partner. Put the best at the top. Change partners and share your rankings again.

singing cooking telling jokes cooking

playing video games speaking English public speaking painting

6. LONGEVITY: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word ‘longevity’. Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.

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