Reading Comprehension Lesson

In the News: Are bad economic times good for health?

(Difficult, B1+ and higher)
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/10/07/healthscience/07well.php

I. Synonym match: Match the following synonyms from the article

1) downturn a) have ill affects

2) shifts b) imperfections
3) sharply c) infringe on
4) take a toll d) slump
5) incur e) abruptly
6) sobering f) changes in direction
7) flaws g) serious
8) interfere with h) separation
9) gap i) be subject to

II. Vocabulary definitions: The article is about the affects of economic situations
on health. The sentences below define some of the terms you will read. Put the
correct word from the box to each definition.

matters downturn boom widen

toll bonding slump findings
flaw recovery safety net well-to-do
sobering well-being gap appointment
co-payment incur looming premium

1. A _________________________________ is an economic shift in an economic cycle, such as

from an expansion to a recession.
2. A _________________________________ is an alternative term for recession.
3. If something has a bad effect on someone, we’d say that it has taken its ____________.
4. A __________________________ is characterized by an economy working at full capacity,
strong consumer demand, low rate of unemployment, and a rising stockmarket,
usually accompanied by rapidly increasing consumer prices.
5. An _________________________________ is an arrangement for a meeting.

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 6. _____________________________ are the conclusions reached after examination or
investigation.
7. A ___________________________ is an imperfection or weakness and especially one that
detracts from the whole or hinders effectiveness.
8. The phase in an economic cycle where employment and output begin to rise to
normal levels after a recession or slump is known as a ____________________________.
9. The state of being happy, prosperous and healthy is known as one’s
__________________________.
10. If something _________________________, it is important.
11. A large difference in attitude or character between groups is defined as a
___________________.
12. The verb __________________________ means to increase the width, scope or extent of
something.
13. A _____________________________________ provides security against misfortune of
difficulty.
14. The act of forming a strong relationship between individuals is known as
_________________________.
15. A family that has adequate financial resources is said to be
___________________________________.
16. To ____________________ debt means you have become liable for or subject to paying
those debts.
17. A ______________________________ is the monthly or annual payment made for a
contract of insurance (e.g. health or car)
18. A _______________________________ is the fixed fee required by a health insurer to be
paid by the patient at the time of the office visit or filling of a prescription.
19. If something is ____________________________, it means it’s taking shape as an
impending occurrence.
20. A __________________________ situation is one that tends to make you thoughtful.

III. Reading comprehension questions:

1. The toll that a bad economic situation can have on your health depends on what
factor?

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2. According to research, how do people tend to treat their health when times are
good? What examples are given?
3. Why do people not practice healthy habits during good economic times?
4. What has been observed in developing countries such as those that produce
coffee?
5. Does this research appear completely reliable? Why or why not?
6. What are Dr. Ruhm’s findings concerning death and jobless rates?
7. What impact on mental health did Dr. Ruhm find during recessions?
8. What are probably the keys issues to what is most important to mental and
physical health during economic slumps?
9. According to a study by van den Berg, who suffers the most during recessions and
why?
10. What is ironic about this and what could be the explanation?
11. What effects are currently being noted in the United States on health?

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 Answers
I. Synonym match
1. d
2. f
3. e
4. a
5. i
6. g
7. b
8. c
9. h

II. Vocabulary Definitions (with French translation)

1. downturn (un marasme)
2. slump (une crise économique)
3. toll (to take its toll – mettre à l’épreuve)
4. boom (un boum)
5. appointment (un rendez-vous)
6. findings (les conclusions, les constatations)
7. flaw (un défaut)
8. recovery (la reprise)
9. well-being (le bien-être)
10. matters (to matter – être important)
11. gap (un écart)
12. widen (élargir)
13. safety net (un filet de sécurité)
14. bonding (la création d’un lien d’attachement)
15. well-to-do (aisé)
16. incur (contracter)
17. premium (une prime d’assurance)
18. co-payment (la quote-part, le ticket modérateur)
19. looming (surgissant; ménacant)
20. sobering (sérieux, somber)

III. Reading comprehension questions:

1. it depends on how you take care of your health during good economic times
2. they tend to ignore their health by eating fatty foods, not exercising and missing doctor’s
appointments due to work-related commitments
3. the value of time becomes more important
4. when coffee prices fall, health and mortality rates improve. Coffee laborers spend more time with
their children improving their overall health
5. No, it isn’t because it contradicts research from the 1970’s and the data has not be replicated
6. Surpisingly, Dr. Ruhm found that as jobless rates decrease, the death rate increases and vice
versa!
7. rate in death due to disease, suicides and murder rates increased
8. a widening gap between rich and poor and the access to health services for those who have lost
jobs and health insurance
9. babies, because of a lack to health care and poor economic conditions may interfere with the
child-parent bonding process
10. other studies have shown that during recessions, parents spend more time with their children. A
possible explanation is the social status of the families...in a richer family may be less affected
than a poorer family where the financial burden is greater during economic downturns
11. people are cooking more instead of buying prepared foods and insurance costs (such as
premiums and co-payments) are rising

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