Do You Believe in Ghosts?
Lower-Intermediate - Vocabulary
the ARTICLE (for teachers)
Do You Believe in Ghosts?
There have been ghost stories for thousands of years. For example, there are written ghost
stories from the ancient Chinese and Greeks. But do modern, well-educated people still
believe in ghosts?
In the United States, the answer seems to be "yes." According to a recent survey, more
than half of the population considers ghosts are real. However, most people from the survey
have never seen a ghost. They simply believe in the supernatural because of TV programs
and movies.
There isn't any scientific evidence, though, and most people from the survey have never
seen a ghost. In fact, these people believe in spirits because of TV programs and movies.
Although many popular programs and movies come from real-life ghost stories, these
stories either aren't true or are greatly exaggerated. And when Hollywood rewrites the story,
the finished result looks very different from the original. Real-life ghost stories are much less
interesting. People describe a creepy feeling or see strange spots of light on film.
But TV and movies are everywhere in today's world, so they often subtly affect people.
They affect society's beliefs, like ghost stories did a long time ago.
How about you? Do you believe in ghosts?
Teacher's Notes:
* Underlined words in red typeface are the recommended vocabulary for this lesson.
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Do You Believe in Ghosts?
Lower-Intermediate - Vocabulary
the Article (for students)
Fill in the blank with the correct word.
exaggerated
evidence
survey
affect
subtly
modern
interesting
creepy
considers
because
Do You Believe in Ghosts?
There have been ghost stories for thousands of years. For example, there are written
ghost stories from the ancient Chinese and Greeks. But do (a. _______________), welleducated people still believe in ghosts?
In the United States, the answer seems to be "yes." According to a recent
(b. _______________), more than half of the population (c. _______________) ghosts
are real. However, most people from the survey have never seen a ghost. They simply
believe in the supernatural because of TV programs and movies.
There isn't any scientific (d. _______________), though, and most people from the
survey have never seen a ghost. In fact, these people believe in spirits
(e. _______________) of TV programs and movies.
Although many popular programs and movies come from real-life ghost stories, these
stories either aren't true or are greatly (f. _______________). And when Hollywood
rewrites the story, the finished result looks very different from the original. Real-life
ghost stories are much less (g. _______________). People describe a
(h. _______________) feeling or see strange spots of light on film.
But TV and movies are everywhere in today's world, so they often
(i. _______________) affect people. They (j. _______________) society's beliefs, like
ghost stories did a long time ago.
How about you? Do you believe in ghosts?
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Do You Believe in Ghosts?
Lower-Intermediate - Vocabulary
STEP ONE
Brainstorm: Brainstorm with a partner words and ideas for "ghosts" for two minutes. Next,
talk about the words and ideas for five minutes.
STEP TWO
Vocabulary match: Individually or in pairs/groups, match the words in column A (from the
article) with the best choice in column B.
a. modern
u. overstate
b. consider
v.
c. exaggerate
w. believe
d. creepy
x. change
e. subtly
y.
f.
z. scary
affect
lightly
current
STEP THREE
Fill in the Blanks: Fill in the blank with the correct word.
exaggerated
modern
a. Do (
affect
considers
subtly
creepy
), well-educated people still believe in ghosts?
b. More than half of the population (
) ghosts are real.
c. These stories either aren't true or are greatly (
d. People describe a (
).
) feeling or see strange spots of light on film.
e. TV and movies are everywhere, so they often (
) affect people.
f. They (
) society's beliefs, like ghost stories did a long time ago.
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Do You Believe in Ghosts?
Lower-Intermediate - Vocabulary
STEP FOUR
The Article: 1) Read the article, but don't worry about the missing words. 2) Fill in the
blanks with today's vocabulary, followed by all the other words. 3) Read the article again,
and circle any unknown words/phrases. In pairs/groups, use your dictionaries to understand
the words or phrases you circled. 4) Answer the questions to check your comprehension.
a. How many people in the US believe in ghosts?
b. Why do people in the US believe in ghosts?
c. How are real-life ghost stories and Hollywood tales different?
d. What does the article say about real-life ghost stories?
e. How are modern ghost stories the same as stories from long ago?
STEP FIVE
Discuss: Write down three vocabulary words from today's article that you want to use.
a.
b.
c.
Now talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Every time you use a vocabulary
word, place a check next to it.
a. Do you believe in ghosts? How about other monsters, like vampires or mummies?
b. Do you know anyone who has seen, or think he/she has seen, a ghost?
c. What would you do if you saw a ghost?
d. Do a lot of people from your country believe in ghosts? Please explain.
Score yourself:
7-10 times, or more: Fantastic! Be sure to review the words at home.
4-6 times:
Pretty good! You're on your way to acquiring today's vocabulary. Try
writing your own sentences at home for more practice.
3 or less times:
Try harder next time! To acquire new vocabulary, you need to use the
new words as much as possible.
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