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ODF1_Unit_8_Reading_practice_L3

The article discusses the Okinawans, who are considered the healthiest people in the world due to their high population of centenarians and low rates of cancer and heart disease. It highlights their traditional diet rich in fish and vegetables, along with their practice of hara hachi bu, which promotes moderation in eating. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of a positive attitude and strong social connections in contributing to their longevity.

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Margaux VEILLON
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5 views2 pages

ODF1_Unit_8_Reading_practice_L3

The article discusses the Okinawans, who are considered the healthiest people in the world due to their high population of centenarians and low rates of cancer and heart disease. It highlights their traditional diet rich in fish and vegetables, along with their practice of hara hachi bu, which promotes moderation in eating. Additionally, the article emphasizes the importance of a positive attitude and strong social connections in contributing to their longevity.

Uploaded by

Margaux VEILLON
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Reading practice – Level 3

1 Read the article. Choose the correct answers.


1 What do we find out about the Okinawans in the first paragraph?
a We find out where in the world they live.
b We discover the secret to their long and healthy lives.
c We find out what they usually eat.
d We discover what they like to do.
2 What evidence does the writer give to support the idea that the Okinawans are the world’s
healthiest people?
a She says that they live on islands and hunt and fish.
b There are more people aged 100 and over on Okinawa than in the USA.
c They have much lower rates of cancer than many developed countries.
d Heart disease is unknown on the island of Okinawa.
3 What is notable about the traditional Okinawan diet?
a People only eat large fish with vegetables.
b It is different from the diet on other islands.
c People don’t seem to eat much or any meat.
d People eat a lot more fish than vegetables.
4 What is hara hachi bu?
a It is part of a traditional Okinawan ceremony.
b It is an important part of the island.
c It is a way of thinking about how much food to eat.
d It is a type of fatty food on the island.
5 According to the writer, what is the main reason why Okinawans have long lives?
a They have a very healthy diet.
b They stay relaxed and positive.
c They go for long runs.
d Friends and family are important to them.

2 Write a summary of the article. Write five sentences and include information from each
paragraph of the article. Use the phrases below to help you.
The article is about (how / why) … It explains (how / why / that) …
It also explains (how / why / that) … It describes (how / why) …
Finally, the article concludes by saying that …

1 © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE


Reading practice – Level 3

Reflect
3 If you want to have a long and happy life, what is important? Add four more factors to the list
below. Then put them in order from the most important (1) to the least important (5).
Eating a healthy diet

The Healthiest People in the World


How should we live and what should we eat in order to live longer? Finding the
secret to a long and healthy life is something many people would like to do. If
there is one group of people in the world who might be able to give us a clue
about how to extend our lifespans, it is the Okinawans. They live on an island in
Japan, and they may be the healthiest people on the planet.
As a proportion of the population, there are more people over the age of
100 living on the island of Okinawa than anywhere else in the world, and the
incidence of cancer and heart disease in the population is minimal in comparison to countries like
the United States. Since 1976, scientists have been studying the old people on Okinawa and they
have learned many things that could help people all over the world to live longer.
Studies have shown that the traditional Okinawan diet, which consists largely of fish and vegetables,
must play a significant role in keeping the people healthy. It is very low in salt and very high in
things that help you live longer, like fiber and antioxidants. Okinawans also have a lot of vitamin E
in their diet, which helps to prevent the diseases of old age such as dementia. Interestingly,
Okinawans don’t eat very much. They have a practice called hara hachi bu, which means “eight
parts out of ten full”. They eat only about 1,800 calories a day, which is far fewer calories than
most people in Europe or the USA. As a result, not only do they stay slim, but they avoid many of
the diseases that come with eating fatty food.
Diet, however, is only part of the story. There are lots of other island or coastal people who eat
the same things as Okinawans, but their life expectancy is no greater than that of most of us. It
would seem that a more important reason for the islanders’ long lifespans is the way they live their
lives. They have a traditional philosophy of life which emphasizes maintaining a positive, optimistic
attitude at all times. They take the view that there is no need to worry about anything as everything
happens for a reason, and in the long run, things tend to turn out for the best. In their society, the
elderly are respected by younger people. They feel valued as individuals and this can only benefit
their mental and physiological health.
Having very close relationships could be a further reason for the Okinawans’ longevity, although
one of less significance than diet and attitude. They value family ties, and meet friends and chat
with them on a daily basis. Eat well, take it easy, and make friends. That seems to be a very good
philosophy of life. We have a lot to learn from the Okinawans.

1 © Oxford University Press PHOTOCOPIABLE

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