Dartitis is a problem that makes it hard for dart players to let go of the dart when they throw. Kevin Painter, a former darts champion, knows this problem well. He couldn’t release the dart during a match, even though he has been playing for 40 years. Dartitis is caused by stress and anxiety, not by physical problems, and can be treated with therapy.

Kevin is trying different treatments to beat dartitis, like hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He works with Chris O’Connor, who helps athletes feel confident again. Kevin thought he was better after some sessions, but the problem came back during a TV match. Another player, Jack Langston, beat dartitis by switching to his left hand to throw darts.

Kevin and Jack’s stories show how dartitis affects mental health and why getting help is important. Kevin is trying new ways to handle his condition, like drinking less alcohol. Jack feels confident now and plays without anxiety. Their experiences remind us that many athletes deal with mental health issues, and talking about these problems is important in sports.

Original news source: Dartitis: The condition where you try to throw a dart – but can’t (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– CHARADES
Instructions: Students will act out the word “dartitis” and related terms like “dart,” “anxiety,” and “therapy” without using any words. The rest of the class will guess what they are acting out. This activity helps with vocabulary retention and encourages non-verbal communication.

– OPINION POLL
Instructions: Students will walk around the classroom and ask their classmates if they think mental health is important for athletes. They will collect responses and tally the results on the board. Afterward, they can discuss the findings as a group, practicing their speaking and listening skills.

– THINK-PAIR-SHARE
Instructions: Students will think about a time they felt nervous or stressed while doing an activity. They will then pair up to share their experiences with a partner before discussing them as a class. This promotes speaking practice and helps students connect personal experiences to the article’s theme.

– VOCABULARY PICTIONARY
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Each group will draw a key term from the article (like “dart,” “therapy,” or “confidence”) on the board while their peers guess the word. This activity reinforces vocabulary through visual representation and teamwork.

– FUTURE PREDICTIONS
Instructions: Students will write down how they think Kevin Painter and Jack Langston might continue to deal with dartitis in the future. They will then share their predictions in small groups, which encourages creative thinking and speaking practice while relating it back to the article.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is dartitis and how does it affect dart players?
2. Who is Kevin Painter and what problem does he have?
3. What are some treatments Kevin is trying to help with dartitis?
4. Who is Chris O’Connor and how does he help athletes?
5. What did Jack Langston do to overcome his dartitis?
6. Why is it important to talk about mental health in sports?
7. How do Kevin and Jack’s stories show the effects of dartitis on players?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Dartitis is a problem that makes it hard for dart (1)______ to let go of the dart when they throw. Kevin (2)______, a former darts champion, knows this problem well. He couldn’t release the dart during a (3)______, even though he has been playing for 40 years. Dartitis is caused by stress and anxiety, not by physical problems, and can be treated with (4)______.

Kevin is trying different treatments to beat dartitis, like (5)______ and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). He (6)______ with Chris O’Connor, who helps athletes feel confident again. Kevin thought he was (7)______ after some sessions, but the problem came back during a TV match. Another player, Jack Langston, beat dartitis by switching to his left hand to throw darts.

(8)______ and Jack’s stories show how dartitis affects mental health and why getting (9)______ is important. Kevin is trying new ways to (10)______ his condition, like drinking less alcohol. Jack (11)______ confident now and (12)______ without anxiety. Their experiences remind us that many athletes deal with mental health issues, and talking about these problems is important in sports.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is a sport you really enjoy playing or watching?
2. How would you feel if you had a hard time doing something you love?
3. Do you think it’s important for athletes to talk about their feelings? Why or why not?
4. What is a way you relax when you feel stressed?
5. How would you feel if you had to switch hands to do something?
6. Do you like trying new things when you have a problem? Why?
7. What is a time you felt nervous about doing something?
8. How do you think friends can help each other when they feel anxious?
9. Do you think mental health is as important as physical health? Why?
10. What is a hobby that helps you feel better when you are sad?
11. How would you feel if you won a big game or competition?
12. Do you think everyone has something they struggle with? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. dartitis
2. champion
3. release
4. anxiety
5. therapy
6. hypnotherapy
7. cognitive
8. behavioral
9. confident
10. condition
11. alcohol
12. mental health

Meanings:
(A) Feeling worried or nervous
(B) A health problem or situation
(C) A type of treatment using relaxation and focus
(D) Related to actions and how we act
(E) Related to thinking and understanding
(F) A person who has won a contest or competition
(G) Feeling sure of yourself
(H) A problem that makes it hard to throw darts
(I) Treatment to help someone feel better
(J) To let go of something
(K) Drinks like beer or wine that can make you dizzy
(L) How our mind feels and works
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is dartitis?
(a) A type of dart
(b) A special dart game
(c) A dart player’s name
(d) A problem that makes it hard for players to throw darts

2. Who is Kevin Painter?
(a) A coach for dart players
(b) A former darts champion
(c) A new dart player
(d) A dart manufacturer

3. What causes dartitis?
(a) Stress and anxiety
(b) Physical injuries
(c) Bad darts
(d) Poor training

4. What type of therapy is Kevin trying?
(a) Dance therapy
(b) Hypnotherapy
(c) Art therapy
(d) Music therapy

5. Who helps Kevin with his dartitis?
(a) Chris O’Connor
(b) Jack Langston
(c) A doctor
(d) A family member

6. How did Jack Langston beat dartitis?
(a) By practicing more
(b) By taking a break
(c) By switching to his left hand
(d) By changing his darts

7. What does Kevin want to do to handle his condition?
(a) Play more games
(b) Change his job
(c) Drink less alcohol
(d) Move to another city

8. Why is it important to talk about mental health in sports?
(a) It makes the game more fun
(b) It helps players win more
(c) It is a new trend in sports
(d) Many athletes have mental health issues

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Dartitis makes it challenging for dart players to aim their darts accurately.
2. Dartitis is caused by stress and anxiety, not by physical problems.
3. Talking about mental health problems is important for athletes.
4. Jack Langston beat dartitis by using his left hand to throw darts.
5. Kevin is collaborating with Chris O’Connor to boost his self-esteem.
6. Kevin is experimenting with various treatments like hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.
7. Kevin has played darts for 40 years.
8. Kevin Painter is a current darts champion who has dartitis.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.
Check your answers with our free English writing assistant!

1. What is dartitis and how does it affect dart players?
2. Who is Kevin Painter and what problem does he have?
3. What types of therapy is Kevin trying to help with his dartitis?
4. How did Jack Langston solve his dartitis problem?
5. Why is it important for athletes to talk about mental health issues?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is dartitis and how does it affect dart players?
Dartitis is a problem that makes it hard for dart players to let go of the dart when they throw. It can stop them from playing well.

2. Who is Kevin Painter and what problem does he have?
Kevin Painter is a former darts champion. He has dartitis, which makes it difficult for him to release the dart during a match.

3. What are some treatments Kevin is trying to help with dartitis?
Kevin is trying hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help with his dartitis.

4. Who is Chris O’Connor and how does he help athletes?
Chris O’Connor is a person who helps athletes feel confident again. He works with Kevin to help him overcome dartitis.

5. What did Jack Langston do to overcome his dartitis?
Jack Langston overcame his dartitis by switching to his left hand to throw darts.

6. Why is it important to talk about mental health in sports?
It is important to talk about mental health in sports because many athletes have problems like dartitis. Talking helps them feel better and get support.

7. How do Kevin and Jack’s stories show the effects of dartitis on players?
Kevin and Jack’s stories show that dartitis affects how players feel and play. Kevin struggles with his confidence, while Jack found a way to feel better and play without anxiety.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) players
(2) Painter
(3) match
(4) therapy
(5) hypnotherapy
(6) works
(7) better
(8) Kevin
(9) help
(10) handle
(11) feels
(12) plays
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. dartitis
Answer: (H) A problem that makes it hard to throw darts

2. champion
Answer: (F) A person who has won a contest or competition

3. release
Answer: (J) To let go of something

4. anxiety
Answer: (A) Feeling worried or nervous

5. therapy
Answer: (I) Treatment to help someone feel better

6. hypnotherapy
Answer: (C) A type of treatment using relaxation and focus

7. cognitive
Answer: (E) Related to thinking and understanding

8. behavioral
Answer: (D) Related to actions and how we act

9. confident
Answer: (G) Feeling sure of yourself

10. condition
Answer: (B) A health problem or situation

11. alcohol
Answer: (K) Drinks like beer or wine that can make you dizzy

12. mental health
Answer: (L) How our mind feels and works
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is dartitis?
Answer: (d) A problem that makes it hard for players to throw darts

2. Who is Kevin Painter?
Answer: (b) A former darts champion

3. What causes dartitis?
Answer: (a) Stress and anxiety

4. What type of therapy is Kevin trying?
Answer: (b) Hypnotherapy

5. Who helps Kevin with his dartitis?
Answer: (a) Chris O’Connor

6. How did Jack Langston beat dartitis?
Answer: (c) By switching to his left hand

7. What does Kevin want to do to handle his condition?
Answer: (c) Drink less alcohol

8. Why is it important to talk about mental health in sports?
Answer: (d) Many athletes have mental health issues
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. Dartitis makes it challenging for dart players to aim their darts accurately. (Answer: False)
2. Dartitis is caused by stress and anxiety, not by physical problems. (Answer: True)
3. Talking about mental health problems is important for athletes. (Answer: True)
4. Jack Langston beat dartitis by using his left hand to throw darts. (Answer: True)
5. Kevin is collaborating with Chris O’Connor to boost his self-esteem. (Answer: False)
6. Kevin is experimenting with various treatments like hypnotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. (Answer: False)
7. Kevin has played darts for 40 years. (Answer: True)
8. Kevin Painter is a current darts champion who has dartitis. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧