I think everyone over a certain age would like to know why hair turns gray. Well, NPR has some answers for us!

This lesson can make great homework, or it can be played in class. There are vocabulary words you can learn before listening to the podcast, as well as comprehension questions and discussion questions for after.

Vocabulary you can preview

The answers are at the bottom

Transcript

Questions for the podcast

1. The male host at the beginning of the podcast talks about Halloween. How is that relevant to gray hair?
2. In the podcast, the hosts talk about a myth about plucking gray hair. What is the myth?
3. Why do the podcast hosts say that hair doesn’t “turn gray?” What does it do?
4. What are some of the causes of gray hair?
5. What do melanocytes do?
6. Is there any proof that stress causes gray hair?
7. The hosts discuss how gray hair can be viewed negatively in society, specifically from a cosmetic viewpoint, but they discuss a more positive way to view gray hair. What is it?
8. One of the hosts describes how in India, gray hair is viewed as a sign of age. Is that positive or negative according to the host?

Discussion Questions

1. Do you have gray hair?
2. How do you feel about gray hair?
3. Do you think you will dye your gray hair (now or in the future)?
4. What are some positive aspects of having gray hair?
5. How is gray hair viewed in society and in your culture?
6. Do you think hair is important? Why or why not?
7. Is there a difference in how men and women view gray hair?
8. How do you feel about models and actors/actresses with gray hair? Is it common to see gray hair represented in the media?

Answers to the questions

1. The host talks about how he dressed up as an elderly version of himself as a child for Halloween.
2. If you pluck a gray hair, more will grow back in its place.
3. They explain that hair doesn’t change color. New gray hairs appear. They don’t change old hair.
4. Gray hair can be caused by genetics, hormones, sun exposure, and stress.
5. Melanocytes produce pigment around the hair follicle, giving the hair color.
6. There was a study in mice that showed acute stress caused gray hair (in mice).
7. A more positive view of gray hair is “earning” that gray hair and being proud of your age or wisdom.
8. It is positive because you get respect for living longer and having more life experiences.

Download Questions and Answers PDF

There you have it. Are you getting any gray hairs? Let us know in the comments!

Check out more podcasts with questions here!