ESL Health and Wellness - How

to Live to 100
Word bank:

Centenarian A person who is 100 years old or more.

Life expectancy The average age a person in a country lives to.

A living place for elderly people, usually with some workers who
Retirement home
can help with day-to-day tasks.
The habits a person does regularly; often we talk about a daily
Routine
routine.

Plenty Many, a lot.

Balanced Level, items weighed equally

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 ESL Health and Wellness - How to Live to 100
How to Live to 100: Centenarians Give Advice
The global life expectancy around the world is increasing: Japan has one of the longest life
expectancies, where the average citizen will live to 85 years old. Many scientists are trying
to find the secret to a long life: although there is no magic medicine that can make us live
longer, we can try to take care of ourselves. Here are some tips from centenarians about how
to reach the 100-year-old mark.

Sandra, 105:
“Living an interesting life has helped me to live longer. I have stories to tell my family.
I never ate well or took care of my body when I was young, but I’m still here! Plenty of
laughter helps, too. My daughter is 82 years old now; she lives in the same retirement home
as me. It feels like we’re friends, not family. Feeling young is very good for me!”

Marlene, 103:
“Keeping your mind active is the most important thing you can do when you get old. I read
books, even e-books these days. I play board games and knit. I still keep track of everyone’s
birthdays and see my family as often as I can. It helps keep my mind busy, even when my
body is tired.”

Edward, 101:
“Good health and routine are the two most important things. I always ate
healthy home-cooked meals when I was younger. The most important
thing is starting your day the right way. I always get up at 6 am every
day, no matter what my schedule is. After I wake up, I stretch – my back
is never stiff or sore. And sleep. You should always get enough sleep.”

Scientists, however, have more detailed advice. They recommend

avoiding too much red meat, caffeine, sugar, and stress, and
trying to stop habits like smoking and drinking. They also advise
seeing your friends often and getting plenty of sleep, exercise
and vegetables. For many, the list of healthy habits might seem
impossibly long, especially for those with busy schedules. But it
seems to citizens older than 100, simply living a happy, balanced life
is enough.

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 ESL Health and Wellness - How to Live to 100
Reading Comprehension Questions.

Activity 1: Answer the following questions:

1. What did Sandra say about her physical health?

2. What does Marlene do to try to keep active? What activities does she do?

3. What does Edward do after waking up?

4. What negative things do scientists recommend you should avoid?

5. What habits do scientists recommend for a healthy life?

6. How does this article describe a ‘balanced’ life?

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Activity 2: Answer the following vocabulary questions.

1. Give an example of a healthy daily routine.

2. What is the life expectancy in your country? Can you guess?

3. What’s the alternative to a home-cooked meal? What other types of meals could you
eat?

4. Is a balanced lifestyle a very strict healthy life? Why or why not?

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Activity 3: Discussion questions

Discuss the questions as a class, with a partner, or with your teacher.

1. Which person gave the best advice, in your opinion?

2. What steps do you take to live a balanced life?

3. Do you think you’re a ‘healthy’ person? Why or why not?

4. Describe your morning routine.

5. What’s most important to you? Your physical or mental health?

6. Do you think a cure for ageing will be found in our lifetime?

7. Would you rather live to 80 or 100?

Disclaimer/s: This resource has been made for the purpose of teaching English language learners. We know that students can be learning English in many different places, in many different ways and at age,
so we try to keep these resources as general as possible.
There are many acronyms associated with English language teaching. These include (but are not limited to) ELT, TEFL, EFL, ELL, EAL and ESOL. While the term ESL may not fully represent the linguistic
backgrounds of all students, it is the most widely recognised term for English language teaching globally. Therefore, we use the term ‘ESL’ in the names of our resources to make them easy to find but they are
suitable for any student learning to speak English.

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Answers:

Activity 1:

1. Sandra didn’t take care of her health when she was younger.

2. Marlene keeps her mind active by reading, knitting, playing board games, and
remembering information about her family.

3. Edward stretches so his back doesn’t hurt.

4. Drinking, smoking, red meat, sugar, caffeine, and stress.

5. Get enough sleep, exercise and vegetables.

6. Keeping the mind and body healthy, and trying to be happy.

Activity 2:

1. Wake up at 8, eat breakfast, start working, and exercise. (Accept any reasonable
answer.)

2. Examples of life expectancies: Italy - 84, France - 83, Vietnam - 75 (Accept any
reasonable answer.)

3. Restaurant meals or pre-made microwave meals. (Accept any reasonable answer.)

4. A balanced lifestyle has parts that are both a bit healthy and a bit unhealthy. It’s
meant to be equal.

Activity 3:

Student Answers

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