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Learning English
Summary
In this 6 Minute English program from BBC Learning English, Sam and Neil discuss procrastination - the act of delaying things that must be done until later, often because they are difficult, boring, or unpleasant. They look into why people procrastinate, the consequences of procrastination, and how to avoid it. They also introduce and explain some new vocabulary related to procrastination. The programme ends with a quiz question to test the listener's understanding, with the answer revealed at the end.
Q&As
What is procrastination?
Procrastination is the act of delaying things that must be done until later, often because they are boring, difficult or unpleasant.
What percentage of people procrastinate so much that it interferes with their day-to-day life?
Around 20 percent of people have a procrastination habit so strong it makes life difficult.
What is the phrase used to emphasise that you are completely certain of something?
The phrase used to emphasise that you are completely certain of something is "without a shadow of a doubt".
What does it mean to be under pressure?
To be under pressure means to feel stressed or anxious because of having too much to do.
What does gratification mean?
Gratification means a feeling of pleasure and satisfaction.
AI Comments
👍 This article provides a wealth of information on learning English and provides helpful tips for procrastination.
👎 This article does not provide any concrete solutions for overcoming procrastination.
AI Discussion
Me: It's about learning English and the implications of procrastination. Apparently, around 20% of people procrastinate so much that it interferes with their day-to-day life.
Friend: Wow, that's a lot! Did they give any tips on how to avoid procrastination?
Me: Yeah, the article suggests breaking down tasks into smaller stages, forgiving yourself for procrastinating in the past, and managing your time better.
Action items
- Make a plan for tackling procrastination. Break down tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks and set realistic deadlines.
- Forgive yourself for procrastinating in the past and focus on making changes to avoid procrastinating in the future.
- Take a break from work and engage in activities that bring you pleasure and satisfaction, such as listening to music, reading a book, or going for a walk.
Technical terms
- Procrastination
- Delaying doing things that must be done until later, often because they are boring, difficult or unpleasant.
- Without a shadow of a doubt
- Used to emphasise that you are completely certain of something.
- Under pressure
- Feeling stressed or anxious because of having too much to do.
- Impulsive
- Acting suddenly and instinctively, without thinking about the consequences of your actions.
- Gratification
- Feeling of pleasure and satisfaction.
- Oodles of (something)
- A very large amount of something pleasant.