Machines that think, called AI, are helping people exercise in new ways. A company made a special mirror that shows a video of a computer coach to help you work out. You tell the mirror about yourself, and it makes a workout just for you. The computer coach can give you tips as you exercise. Lots of people are using this kind of technology, and it could be very popular in the future. But some people think that a real person is better at giving the push you need to do well.

Some people like to exercise with a computer, but others want a real person to help them. A teacher named Esther thinks talking to people is important when you’re trying to be healthy. She says that computers can’t really understand how you feel. But Desiree, a fast runner who also works as a computer coach, thinks that even when you’re alone, a computer can cheer you on.

Now, there are even places to exercise where computers are the coaches for a group. A gym in Texas has big screens with computer coaches for up to 14 people. They help everyone do their exercises right. There’s also a real coach there to make sure everyone feels part of the group. A doctor named Lucy thinks computers can be good for helping you get better at exercising, but she also says you should be careful. She thinks you should talk to a real expert so you don’t hurt yourself or do too much.

Original news source: Can artificial intelligence help you get fit? (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

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📖 Vocabulary:

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: In pairs or small groups, students will read the article and then summarize the main points in their own words. They can take turns sharing their summaries with the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Students will form pairs or small groups and discuss their opinions on exercising with a computer coach versus a real person. They will then create a poll with questions such as “Do you prefer exercising with a computer coach or a real person?” and “Why do you think some people prefer one over the other?” They will then survey their classmates and present the results to the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Students will work in pairs or small groups. One student will choose a vocabulary word from the article and draw a picture to represent it, while the other student(s) guess the word based on the drawing. They can take turns being the artist and guesser.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Students will individually read the article and then write a summary of it in 5-7 sentences. They will then pair up with a classmate and take turns sharing their summaries. Each student will have 1 minute to summarize their partner’s summary. They will then switch partners and repeat the process.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Students will individually read the article and then think about the following question: “Do you think exercising with a computer coach or a real person is better? Why?” They will then pair up with a classmate and share their thoughts. Finally, they will share their opinions with the class in a group discussion.

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is AI?
2. How does the special mirror help people exercise?
3. Why do some people prefer to exercise with a real person?
4. What does Esther think about talking to people when you’re trying to be healthy?
5. What does Desiree think about exercising with a computer?
6. What is special about the gym in Texas?
7. What does Dr. Lucy think about using computers to help with exercising?
Go to answers ⇩

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Machines that think, called AI, are (1)______ people exercise in new ways. A company made a special mirror that shows a video of a computer coach to help you work out. You tell the mirror about yourself, and it (2)______ a (3)______ just for you. The computer coach can give you tips as you exercise. Lots of people are using this kind of technology, and it could be very popular in the future. But some (4)______ think that a (5)______ person is better at giving the push you need to do well.

Some people like to exercise with a computer, but others (6)______ a real person to help them. A teacher named Esther thinks talking to people is important when you’re trying to be healthy. She says that computers can’t really understand how you feel. But Desiree, a fast runner who also works as a computer (7)______, (8)______ that even when you’re alone, a computer can cheer you on.

Now, there are even places to exercise where computers are the coaches for a group. A gym in (9)______ has big screens with computer coaches for up to 14 people. They help everyone do their exercises right. There’s also a real coach there to make sure everyone feels (10)______ of the group. A doctor named Lucy thinks computers can be good for helping you get (11)______ at exercising, but she also says you should be careful. She thinks you should talk to a real expert so you don’t (12)______ yourself or do too much.
Go to answers ⇩

💬 Discussion Questions:

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

1. What is AI and how does it help people exercise?
2. How would you feel if you had a computer coach to help you work out?
3. Do you think a real person or a computer is better at giving you motivation to do well? Why?
4. Do you like the idea of exercising with a computer? Why or why not?
5. How do you think computers can cheer you on when you’re exercising alone?
6. What do you think about the idea of having computer coaches for a group of people at the gym?
7. How would you feel if you were exercising with a big screen showing a computer coach?
8. Do you think it’s important to have a real coach at the gym, even if there are computer coaches? Why or why not?
9. What do you think about talking to a real expert before starting an exercise program?
10. How do you think a real expert can help you avoid getting hurt or doing too much?
11. Have you ever used any technology to help you exercise? How was your experience?
12. Do you prefer exercising alone or with other people? Why?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. technology
2. popular
3. exercise
4. coach
5. workout
6. tips
7. push
8. healthy
9. cheer
10. screens
11. expert
12. careful

Meanings:
(A) A set of activities to make your body strong
(B) A person who knows a lot about a certain thing
(C) Flat panels on a device where you can see pictures or videos
(D) Shout for someone to encourage them
(E) Being careful means you think about what you do so you don’t get hurt or make mistakes
(F) Someone who teaches and helps you get better at sports or other skills
(G) Helpful pieces of advice
(H) Liked by many people
(I) Machines and tools that use science to do things
(J) Extra effort or force to do something
(K) Physical activity to make your body strong and fit
(L) In good shape and not sick
Go to answers ⇩

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is AI?
(a) Machines that think
(b) Machines that cook
(c) Machines that clean
(d) Machines that dance

2. How does the special mirror help people exercise?
(a) It plays music
(b) It gives you food
(c) It tells jokes
(d) It shows a video of a computer coach

3. What can the computer coach do while you exercise?
(a) Cook you dinner
(b) Sing you a song
(c) Give you tips
(d) Clean your house

4. Why do some people prefer a real person to help them exercise?
(a) They don’t like computers
(b) They think computers can’t understand how they feel
(c) They think computers are too expensive
(d) They think computers are too slow

5. What does Desiree, the fast runner, think about exercising with a computer?
(a) A computer can’t do anything
(b) A computer can cook you dinner
(c) A computer can clean your house
(d) A computer can cheer you on, even when you’re alone

6. What does the gym in Texas have?
(a) Big screens with movies
(b) Big screens with video games
(c) Big screens with computer coaches
(d) Big screens with cartoons

7. How many people can the computer coaches at the gym in Texas help?
(a) Up to 14 people
(b) Up to 4 people
(c) Up to 20 people
(d) Up to 10 people

8. What does the doctor named Lucy think about using computers to exercise?
(a) They are not good for exercising
(b) They can be good for helping you get better at exercising, but you should be careful
(c) They are too expensive
(d) They are too slow

Go to answers ⇩

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. The mirror creates personalized workouts based on the user’s information.
2. The computer coach can provide tips and guidance during exercise.
3. Desiree, a fast runner and computer coach, believes that computers can provide motivation even when exercising alone.
4. A teacher named Esther believes that avoiding conversations with people is important for staying healthy.
5. AI technology is being used to help people exercise in new ways.
6. A special mirror has been created that doesn’t show a video of a computer coach to guide workouts.
7. Some gyms now have small screens with computer coaches to guide group workouts, without a real coach present to ensure everyone feels included.
8. Some people prefer exercising with a computer coach rather than a real person.
Go to answers ⇩

📝 Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the special mirror that helps people exercise?
2. How does the computer coach in the mirror make a workout just for you?
3. Why do some people prefer to exercise with a real person instead of a computer?
4. How can a computer coach cheer you on even when you’re alone?
5. What does the doctor named Lucy think about using computers to help with exercising?

✅ Answers

🤔✅ Comprehension Question Answers:

1. What is AI?
AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. It is when machines or computers are able to think and learn like humans.

2. How does the special mirror help people exercise?
The special mirror shows a video of a computer coach who can make a workout just for you. It gives you tips and helps you while you exercise.

3. Why do some people prefer to exercise with a real person?
Some people prefer to exercise with a real person because they think a real person can understand how they feel and give them the motivation they need.

4. What does Esther think about talking to people when you’re trying to be healthy?
Esther thinks that talking to people is important when you’re trying to be healthy because computers can’t really understand how you feel.

5. What does Desiree think about exercising with a computer?
Desiree, who is a fast runner and also works as a computer coach, thinks that even when you’re alone, a computer can cheer you on and help you exercise.

6. What is special about the gym in Texas?
The gym in Texas has big screens with computer coaches for up to 14 people. They help everyone do their exercises right. There’s also a real coach there to make sure everyone feels part of the group.

7. What does Dr. Lucy think about using computers to help with exercising?
Dr. Lucy thinks that computers can be good for helping you get better at exercising, but she also thinks you should be careful. She thinks it’s important to talk to a real expert so you don’t hurt yourself or do too much.
Go back to questions ⇧

🎧✍️✅ Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) helping
(2) makes
(3) workout
(4) people
(5) real
(6) want
(7) coach
(8) thinks
(9) Texas
(10) part
(11) better
(12) hurt
Go back to questions ⇧

📖💭✅ Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. technology
Answer: (I) Machines and tools that use science to do things

2. popular
Answer: (H) Liked by many people

3. exercise
Answer: (K) Physical activity to make your body strong and fit

4. coach
Answer: (F) Someone who teaches and helps you get better at sports or other skills

5. workout
Answer: (A) A set of activities to make your body strong

6. tips
Answer: (G) Helpful pieces of advice

7. push
Answer: (J) Extra effort or force to do something

8. healthy
Answer: (L) In good shape and not sick

9. cheer
Answer: (D) Shout for someone to encourage them

10. screens
Answer: (C) Flat panels on a device where you can see pictures or videos

11. expert
Answer: (B) A person who knows a lot about a certain thing

12. careful
Answer: (E) Being careful means you think about what you do so you don’t get hurt or make mistakes
Go back to questions ⇧

🔡✅ Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is AI?
Answer: (a) Machines that think

2. How does the special mirror help people exercise?
Answer: (d) It shows a video of a computer coach

3. What can the computer coach do while you exercise?
Answer: (c) Give you tips

4. Why do some people prefer a real person to help them exercise?
Answer: (b) They think computers can’t understand how they feel

5. What does Desiree, the fast runner, think about exercising with a computer?
Answer: (d) A computer can cheer you on, even when you’re alone

6. What does the gym in Texas have?
Answer: (c) Big screens with computer coaches

7. How many people can the computer coaches at the gym in Texas help?
Answer: (a) Up to 14 people

8. What does the doctor named Lucy think about using computers to exercise?
Answer: (b) They can be good for helping you get better at exercising, but you should be careful
Go back to questions ⇧

🕵️✅ True or False Answers:

1. The mirror creates personalized workouts based on the user’s information. (Answer: True)
2. The computer coach can provide tips and guidance during exercise. (Answer: True)
3. Desiree, a fast runner and computer coach, believes that computers can provide motivation even when exercising alone. (Answer: True)
4. A teacher named Esther believes that avoiding conversations with people is important for staying healthy. (Answer: False)
5. AI technology is being used to help people exercise in new ways. (Answer: True)
6. A special mirror has been created that doesn’t show a video of a computer coach to guide workouts. (Answer: False)
7. Some gyms now have small screens with computer coaches to guide group workouts, without a real coach present to ensure everyone feels included. (Answer: False)
8. Some people prefer exercising with a computer coach rather than a real person. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧