Hedging	

Most scientists in most countries agree there is a link between smoking and lung disease.
	It is _____________  ___________   ________ 
there is a link between smoking and lung disease.
	
Some people believe a tax increase would benefit the public, others say it would have a negative effect.
	There is ________ ___________  ____ ____
whether a tax increase would be beneficial.
	
In most studies into sleep patterns, results show that more than half of those who slept eight hours a day lived longer than those who slept for less than six hours.
	It ________ ________ that people who sleep eight hours a day live longer. (1 or 2 spaces)
	
Every study ever done shows that heavy drinking is bad for you
	There ____ _______ _______ that heavy drinking is harmful.
	
Some people claim that drinking a glass of red wine every day is good for you; others say it has no benefits.
	There is _________ _________   as to _______________ drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has a good or bad effect.
	
No research has been carried out on the health effects of living near to a power station over a long period.
	It ______ _____ ______ whether there are any negative health effects of living near to a power station over a long period.
	
A few studies in the US have suggested that drinking three cups of coffee a day makes your brain work more quickly, but the numbers of people in the studies were very small and other studies both in the US and in other countries have not supported these findings.
	There ____ ______ __________  ______drinking three cups of coffee a day improves your brain performance.
	
A number of studies have shown that people who eat broccoli every day are less likely to get some forms of cancer than those who don’t. Scientists are planning to carry out further studies.
	There ______   ______   _______   ______ 
eating broccoli every day can protect you against some forms of cancer.
	
A recent study into sleep patterns and work performance showed that around 60% of those in the study group who took a ten minute nap after lunch were more productive in the afternoon.

	It ______ _______ _______ taking a nap after lunch can improve your work performance in the afternoon. (2 or 3 spaces)

Possible answers	

Most scientists in most countries agree there is a link between smoking and lung disease.
	It is widely/commonly/recognized/accepted
that  there is a link between smoking and lung disease.
	
Some people believe a tax increase would benefit the public, others say it would have a negative effect.
	There is some debate / discussion as to
whether a tax increase would be beneficial.
	
In most studies into sleep patterns, results show that more than half of those who sleep eight hours a day live longer than those who sleep for less than six hours.
	It seems / appears / would seem / would appear that people who sleep eight hours a day live longer.
	
Every study ever done shows that heavy drinking is bad for you
	There is no doubt / absolutely no question  that heavy drinking is harmful.
	
Some people claim that drinking a glass of red wine every day is good for you; others say it has no benefits.
	There is some debate / discussion   as to whether drinking moderate amounts of alcohol has a good or bad effect.
	
No research has been carried out on the health effects of living near to a power station over a long period.
	It is not known whether there are any negative health effects of living near to a power station over a long period.
	
A few studies in the US have suggested that drinking three cups of coffee a day makes your brain work more quickly, but the numbers of people in the studies were very small and other studies both in the US and in other countries have not supported these findings.
	There is little evidence that drinking three cups of coffee a day improves your brain performance.
	
A number of studies have shown that people who eat broccoli every day are less likely to get some forms of cancer than those who don’t. Scientists are planning to carry out further studies.
	There is some evidence that 
eating broccoli every day can protect you against some forms of cancer.
	
A recent study into sleep patterns and work performance showed that around 60% of those in the study group who took a ten minute nap after lunch were more productive in the afternoon.

	It seems / would seem   that taking a nap after lunch can improve your work performance in the afternoon.