News by Levels · Level 1 · Student worksheet

Special Socks May Make Walking Easier

In this lesson: Identify a study’s result and use “may” for a possibility.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

Researchers have made special socks that may help people use less energy when they walk. The socks press around the front part of the foot.

In a small test, 12 healthy young adults walked on a machine. They tried the special socks and ordinary socks. With the special socks, they used about two per cent less energy on average.

The study was small, so the results do not show that the socks will help everyone. More research can test the idea with other people.

Source: Phys.org, 2026-11-04. https://phys.org/news/2026-11-foot-stiffening-socks.html

Read and practise

1. Who tried the socks in the small test?

   1. Twelve healthy young adults
   2. Twelve older runners
   3. All people who walk

2. Which sentence has the same cautious meaning as “may help”?

   1. The socks always help.
   2. The socks might help.
   3. The socks never help.

Your turn

Tell a friend what the test found and why you cannot promise the socks will help them.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/foot-stiffening-socks-walking-energy-study-november-2026/level-1/