B2 – Upper Intermediate
Trick-or-treating gets more popular as the spooky season draws near and kids roam the neighborhood gathering sweets. Sadly, many kids become very hyper after eating the collected sweets. One might conclude that sugar is causing this effect. However, a number of researches challenge the notion of sugar rush.
Watch the video to learn more about hyperactivity, which apparently, has nothing to do with consuming sugary treats.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What’s the meaning of “to put something to bed”? “And today, we’re putting this long-standing food myth to bed.” Make a sentence using this idiom.
- What does “to keep something in check” mean? “Glucagon’s job is to tell our bodies to release some of our stored-up sugar supplies to balance out our blood sugar levels. Our bodies are extremely good at keeping these things in check when they’re healthy.” Use this idiom in a sentence.
- What does “to bounce off the walls” mean? “But as you get older, the season’s less about TPing* the house of that one neighbor that gives away healthy apples and toothbrushes during trick-or-treating and more about dreading your five-year-old bouncing off the walls after consuming half of their body weight in Kit Kats.” Create your own sentence using this expression.
*TP stands for ‘toilet paper’ which means to cover (trees, buildings, etc.) with toilet paper as a prank.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you agree to the theory presented in this video? Explain.
- Have you experienced the sugar rush effect mentioned in this video? Talk about that instance.
- What were your thoughts about children becoming hyperactive after taking/eating sugary foods before seeing this video?
- What might be reasons many people turn to sugary food when they feel tired?
- Are you aware of how your body reacts to food and how it relates to the prevailing knowledge in society? Cite concrete examples.