Questions for group B

Questions for group A

X Discuss the answers to the questions below.

The wrong genes

Drinking coffee

A low-fat diet

Lack of bright light

Scientists have known for some time about Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): a form of depression caused by lack of light in winter, and thought to explain the relatively high suicide rates in countries such as Sweden, where for parts of the year days are very short. However, recent research has shown that those working night shifts in factories can suffer from the same problem, leading to stress and depression. The problem can be overcome by illuminating workplaces with lights three times brighter than usual, making workers feel happier and more alert.

A low-fat diet may be good for your waistline, but the latest research suggests that it is less beneficial psychologically. A team of volunteers at Sheffield University, asked to follow a diet consisting of just twenty-five per cent fat (the level recommended by the World Health Organisation) reported a marked increase in feelings of hostility and depression. And an earlier piece of research revealed, startingly, that people on low-fat diets are more likely to meet a violent death!

Many of us are already aware that drinking coffee raises your blood pressure and can cause anxiety, but according to the latest research it can also make you bad-tempered. Mice who were given regular doses of caffeine by researchers, were found to be unusually aggressive!

Despite all the changes we make to our behaviour, diet, and environment, there is growing evidence that at the end of the day, whether we are cheerful or miserable is largely a question of our genes. 'Of course what happens to you in your life will make a difference to how happy you are,1 say scientists, 'but there are two or three vital genes which probably decide how cheerful you are in comparison to others in a similar situation.' So whatever else you do, make sure you choose your genes carefully!

1. What is the value of physical exercise for your mental health?

2. Give two pieces of evidence that show that companionship and social
support can be important for your physical health.

3. Why do psychologists believe that watching soap operas on TV can
make people feel better?

4. What happens to old people who are given a cocktail every evening?
What is the explanation for this according to the text?

What is the connection between backache and 'feeling like an underdog’?

Give two examples of groups of people affected by SAD. What is it, and what can be done to help sufferers?

From the research described, why do you think people on low-fat diets might be more likely to meet a violent death?

Give three possible ill effects of drinking coffee.

Can your genes affect how happy or miserable you are?

2. Transcribe the following words to avoid possible mispronunciation and miscommunication in future:

Psychological; to release; endorphins; psychotherapy; engendering; viruses; to alleviate; cholesterol; suicide; alert; anxiety; caffeine; genes.

3. Language focus

Explain the meanings of the following word combinations in English and use them in situations of your own:

1. psychological well-being	25. to indulge in
2. to release endorphins or‘happy chemicals' into the brain	26. in moderation
3. psychotherapy	27. to alleviate (stress, ache, etc.)
4. to engender a more positive outlook	28. positive health benefits
5. a brisk ten-minute walk	29. to fancy
6. unemployed urban youths	30. low self-esteem
7. to undertake intensive sports training	31. rheumatism
8. to become involved in smth.	32.arthritis
9. voluntary work	33. to feel undervalued
10. to be vital to	34. to cause backache
11. to emphasise the value of group social activities	35.heavy lifting
12. in some respect	36. stress hormones
13. selfesteem	37. to produce cholesterol
14. to back up	38. seasonal Affective Disorder
15. virus	39. suicide rates
16. on one’s own	40. to work night shifts
17. life expectancy	41. to feel alert
18. heart attack	42. a low-fat diet
19. on average	43.hostility
20. to provide with	44. startingly
21. self-indulgence	45. regular doses of caffeine
22. to meet a violent death	46.gene
23. to cause anxiety	47. to make changes to one’s behaviour
24. to make smb. bad-tempered

? 4. Translate the following into English:

Дієта з низьким процентом жиру; ворожість; ревматизм; рівень самогубства; вмирати насильницькою смертю; спричиняти неспокій; виробляти холестерол; почувати недооціненим; сезонні захворювання; артрит, запалення суглобів; підвищити кров’яний тиск; сердити, роздратовувати; звичайні дози кофеїну;психологічне здоров’я; добровільна праця; захоплюватись; вивільнювати ендорфіни до мозку; інтенсивно займатися спортом; психотерапія; безробітні міські юнаки; наголошувати на цінності колективної соціальної діяльності; підтримувати; в відношенні до чогось; згубний вплив забобонів; бактеріологічна війна; життєво важливий; самоповага, почуття власної гідності; дозволяти собі; уявляти собі; проводити час за коктейлем; позитивний вплив на здоров’я; в середньому; серцевий напад;середня тривалість життя.

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