BBC Podcasts

Vocabulary a soft spot an affectionate liking or fondness for someone or something spark cause (a debate, conversation, fight etc) to start happening intimidated frightened or nervous because of a lack of confidence Oh my gosh! / Oh my God! expression of feelings such as shock, surprise, anger, disbelief shrink yourself make yourself smaller and don't use your full potential in order to make others feel comfortable stand up for (someone) be vocal in defending or supporting a person who is being criticised or bullied

Introduction How do women in different countries experience the online world? Beth and Neil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. This week's question In 2024, which social media platform had the most regular active users? a) Facebook b) TikTok c) YouTube Listen to the programme to hear the answer.

Vocabulary: ingredient - item of food that is combined with other food to prepare a particular dish gastronomy - the art and knowledge involved in preparing and eating good food specialise - focus on studying and learning about one specific subject or skill to cut a long story short - (Br Eng) used when you are explaining what happened in a few words, without giving all the details replicate - make or do something again in exactly the same way mimic - copy the way in which something is done, sometimes in a funny way

This week's question: It may be true that British cooking is better than it used to be, but there’s still some pretty bad food out there. So, according to a 2019 YouGov survey, which UK food was voted the worst? a) steak and kidney pies b) scotch eggs c) haggis Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary inflation increase in prices of things over time hit in the pocket have less money to spend volatile unpredictable and can change suddenly sustained continues at the same level for a long period of time effective works well and gets the best results interest rates fees banks and financial institutions charge you for borrowing money

This week's question According to one report, what was the annual inflation rate in Venezuela between November 2017 and 2018? a) 130% b) 1,300% c) 1,300,000% Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary anosmic unable to smell; having no sense of smell weird strange; unusual; odd; bizarre a good chance quite a high likelihood or probability (that something will happen) out of the ordinary unusual; uncommon; exceptional scent distinctive smell; smell produced by an animal filter (something) out remove or separate something unwanted from a substance

Introduction How can smells make you feel at home? Beth and Phil discuss this and teach you some new vocabulary. This week's question What percentage of people have no sense of smell? Is it: a) 2%? b) 5%? or, c) 7%? Listen to the programme to hear the answer.