English Questions

Here's Ella al-Shamahi, presenter of BBC Radio 4's, Why Do We Do That? talking to the comedian, Eshaan Akbar, about his ____________ habit:

Eshaan Akbar Over the years, I've told myself that I procrastinate because I work better ____________. That's what I've told myself.

Neil Let me guess, it's because you delayed, and delayed, and put your work off until the last minute - as usual! You're a real ____________ , Sam - someone who keeps delaying things that need to be done.

Neil I see, but did you know that that people who ____________ have higher levels of stress and lower wellbeing?

Sam What can I say? I work better when a ______ is approaching.

Sam Come on, Neil, let's make a start! I've got a deadline to ______ today, and I haven't finished my work yet!

Neil So, without wasting any more time, I have a question for you, Sam. The fact that procrastinating, or putting things off, is bad for us doesn't stop people doing it. According to recent research by DePaul University in Chicago, what percentage of people procrastinate so much that it ____________ with their day-to-day life? Is it: a)10 percent? b)20 percent? or,c)30 percent?

Sam In this programme, we're discussing ____________ - the act of delaying things that must be done until later, often because they're difficult, boring or unpleasant. And, as usual, we'll be learning some new vocabulary along the way.

____________ is also linked with lower financial and career success, so there's a lot of reasons not to do it.

Phil And finally, to _____________ means to treat yourself badly by criticising or blaming yourself. Once again our six minutes are up! Remember to join us again next time for more topical discussion and useful vocabulary, here at 6 Minute English. Goodbye for now!

Georgie Many pregnant women experience _____________, the strong desire for some particular food, anything from ice cream to sardines.

Georgie In the past, the _____________ was a whip used to punish prisoners, but nowadays it usually refers to the ways in which someone criticises themselves as a form of self-punishment.

Phil But, says Henrietta, pregnancy isn't about _____________, treating yourself badly or criticising yourself.

Phil If something _____________ it stops working properly or becomes difficult to control.

Phil Jaega's food cravings led to a chocolate _____________. A _____________ is an occasion where you do something in an extreme way, like eating or drinking too much.

Henrietta Norton Listen, I think the most important thing is to not get out the _____________, is to absolutely be kind to yourself, particularly that first trimester.

Georgie Which was... the correct answer! Smoked salmon is best avoided because of the risk of bacteria, but oily fish is good, and even a bowl of chips now and then are fine. Right, let's recap the vocabulary we've learned in the programme, starting with the idiom _____________ which means to be pregnant.

Jaega Wise How guilty should you feel...is more the question for that late night chocolate _____________ when your body is telling you, 'I need cake!'

Phil A _____________ is an occasion when you do something to excess, for example eat, drink, or spend money.

Georgie If you say you could _____________, you're emphasising that something does not happen very often, or that there are only a few of those things.