BBC Podcasts

Introduction Why do we teach children to be polite? Does the language we use really affect what people think of us? Neil and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. This week's question What is the British idiom we use in certain situations to remind someone to be especially polite? a) mind your As and Bs b) mind your Ps and Qs c) mind your Xs and Ys Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Vocabulary nothing better in the world used to emphasise how much someone loves or enjoys something one of life's true pleasures a particular experience, activity, or feeling that someone finds very enjoyable and satisfying a ton of (something) a lot of (something) mushy (food) soft (food) convert person who has changed their beliefs or way of living snack small bit of food you eat between meals, like crisps or a chocolate bar

Introduction Do you like the crunch of biting into a fresh apple? What about the crunch of biting into a roasted insect? Georgie and Beth discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. This week's question According to a 2024 YouGov study, which is the most popular type of apple in the UK? a) Pink Lady b) Gala c) Red Delicious Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Vocabulary a load of (something) a lot of (something) advocate (something) encourage people to use or do (something) what the heck informal phrase used to express frustration or surprise wonder product an item, usually food or medicine, that people think is very effective or beneficial knock yourself out go ahead hogwash nonsense or not true

Introduction Which cooking oil do you tend to use in the kitchen? Are some really more healthy than others, or is it just a way for companies to make you buy more expensive products? Neil and Georgie discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. This week's question In the UK, a popular oil to cook with is olive oil, but which country produces the most olive oil? a) Italy b) Greece c) Spain Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Key words and phrases caught on camera discovered doing something through a photo or video recording The dogs were caught on camera chewing the sofa while their owner was out. packs a punch has a lot of power or effect I really want my wedding speech to pack a punch and make everyone laugh. slack off stop working hard I know you hate your job, but you can't slack off every day. You'll get fired!

The story Scientists have discovered fish and octopuses that work together to hunt for food. During dives in the red sea, a team of scientists filmed octopuses and fish for 120 hours. They found that octopuses will sometimes punch fish that aren't working as part of the team. Experts want to study the underwater behaviour more to find out whether octopuses can remember certain fish who have been bad teammates in the past. News headlines Octopuses and fish caught on camera hunting as a team Nature Octopus packs a punch to direct hunting groups Cosmos, Australia Fish join forces with octopuses to hunt but get a sucker punch if they slack off The Times, UK

More examples: Smoking negatively affects human health. Smoking has a negative effect on human health.

Vocabulary unchecked increasing without any attempt to limit or prevent it graze eat grass (animal); continually eat small bites of food (person) extinction situation in which an animal or plant species no longer exists domestication situation in which wild animals are controlled by humans for work, food or as pets voracious very eager for something, especially food flammable easily burns or catches fire