Online Class Notes (Mike)

Let’s face it – most of us can’t resist a cup of tea or coffee sometimes. They’re a perfect pick-me-up and comforter. But there are alternative beverages, so why have we chosen these as our go-to drinks to soothe our hectic lives? And which one is superior?

Let’s start with tea – it’s the second most consumed drink in the world. For many – especially the British – having a ‘cuppa’ is a daily ritual. The caffeine contained in it helps wake you up in the morning, and throughout the day we’ll make a brew to distract us from our work or to be sociable. And according to some scientists, habitual tea consumption can have some health benefits. Andrew Steptoe, a professor from University College London’s Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, told BBC Food that drinking black tea “may speed up recovery from the daily stresses in life… but we do not know what ingredients of tea were responsible for these effects on stress recovery and relaxation”.

Coffee is tea’s ‘trendier’ rival. Its popularity has grown over the years, and this is reflected in the number of coffee shops we see around – places to hang out, do business or catch up with friends. Coffee can taste great and can be served in many ways, but it’s sometimes how you have it that can be seen as a status symbol or the preserve of hipsters! Of course, it gives you a strong caffeine hit – roughly double of that contained in tea. However, too much can lead to anxiety. Sleep scientist Matt Walker told the BBC that caffeine can decrease the amount of restorative deep sleep you have.

But some scientists say drinking coffee – and green tea – can also be good for us. Researchers at Osaka University linked drinking a daily cup of coffee with a lower risk of death among both stroke survivors and healthy people, while drinking seven or more cups of green tea was associated with a lower risk of death among both heart attack and stroke survivors. So, whether we turn to coffee or tea for its taste, its image or as a lifestyle choice, it could be a lifesaver!

1. My morning _______ always involves having a shower.

hectic                   ritual                      anxiety                   habitual

2. Our neighbours are very _______ – they keep popping round to chat!

hipsters                relaxation               sociable                  hang out

3. Thanks for finding my smartphone – you are a _______!

lifesaver               lifesaving                saverlife                  lifesavers

4. I haven’t seen you for ages, so let’s _______ over a coffee later.

pick-me-up           catch up                 stress                     sociable

5. For _______, I go to yoga – it really helps me clear my mind.

relaxable              relaxing                  relaxation               relaxed

In life, my husband and I rarely fight because we are both considered to be good-hearted people. We both have completely different personalities, I am chronic and my husband is acute. For example, if we start doing the same thing and know the deadline, my husband will get things done right away, while I usually start them by the day of the deadline.
Sometimes I know I procrastinate, but I don’t want to make big changes, I don’t not finish work or anything, I just do things the way I feel comfortable doing them. That’s why you always get my homework a few hours before class
Last night my husband got into an argument with me over this. When he found out that I was lying on the couch watching a TV show when I hadn’t finished my homework.

My husband: this drama is not for you
Me: Why? I enjoyed watching it, the actor and actress were very beautiful and the storyline was very simple.
My husband: Such stories are more suitable for little girls, and you’re not anymore, so you should watch some dramas suitable for your own age, such as parenting.
Me: No, why do I need to study when I’m on break, I just want to relax myself, you don’t understand me at all. We at this age generally prefer to watch love stories, comedies and some variety shows and then will release the stress of our day by laughing out loud.
My husband: Well, I was wrong this time, I just wanted us to learn together to be an example to our son instead of watching TV all the time.
Me: Well, I’m not right either, but today I just want to watch TV and not do anything
My husband: Ok, so let’s watch TV together and then study together tomorrow, ok?
ME: OK
Through this case, I feel that I should make a plan, or a goal for myself, when to study? when to rest? and when to exercise? If I have a plan, then I will do better than now.

In life, my husband and I rarely fight because we are both considered to be good-hearted/good-tempered people. We have completely different personalities, I am slow-tempered while my husband can be impetuous/impatient sometimes. For example, if we are under the same deadline, my husband will get things done right away, while I usually finish them when the deadline is approaching. 
Sometimes I know I procrastinate, but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to / but it’s not like I don’t want to finish my work or anything, I just do things the way I feel comfortable doing. That’s why you always get my homework a few hours before class starts.
Last night my husband got into an argument with me over this. When he found out that I was lying on the couch watching a TV show when I hadn’t finished my homework.

My husband: this drama is not for you.
Me: Why? I am enjoying watching it/I am relaxing myself, the actor and actress were very good-looking and the storyline was very simple.
My husband: Such stories are more suitable for little girls/were created for little girls, which you are not. So you should watch some dramas suitable for your own age, such as shows about parenthood/parenting.
Me: No, why do I need to study when I’m on break, I just want to relax myself, you don’t understand me at all. Women like me generally prefer to watch love stories, comedies and entertainment shows. These shows relieve my stress
My husband: Well, I was wrong this time, I just wanted us to be positive role models to our son instead of watching TV all the time.
Me: Well, I’m not right either, but today I just want to watch TV and not do anything/do nothing.
My husband: Ok, so let’s watch TV together and then study together tomorrow, ok?
ME: OK
Through this case, I feel that I should make a plan or a goal for myself, like when to study and when to rest and when to exercise. If I have a plan, then I will do better than now.

Vocabulary

good-tempered (adj.) to describe people with good temper – ill-tempered 

impetuous (adj.) 迅猛的，猛烈的，粗犷的，性子急的，浮躁的，冲动的

approach (v) 临近/接近（时间或空间）
The new year is approaching.

expire (v) 过期，满期
When does the product expire?
It expires in three days.

expiration (n) – expiration date
The product is about to expire. 将要过期
The product is near expiration date. 临近过期日

procrastination (n) 拖延症 – procrastinator (n)
I am a big procrastinator.

verbal filler 口头填充词

good-looking (adj.) 好看的 – nice-looking
The house is nice-looking.

relieve (v) 缓解，消除（疼痛，压力）
This medicine relieved my pain.
I was so relieved when I heard that. 心里的石头落了地
I usually relieve my stress/pressure by exercising.
Exercise relieves me from stress.

role model 榜样/楷模/模范
I want to be a positive role model to my sister.

It’s not like/that I don’t want to finish them or anything. 并不是我不想完成这些事。

Living in SH can be expensive.