Six Minute English: The Weaker Sex	

the weaker sex				things we choose to do in life,  e.g. drinking, smoking, 
exercising or what a person eats	
angina					agree that something is true	
business as usual			easier to reach or use	
didn't want to be a fuss		the way you think and feel about something or someone	
didn't want to be a burden		not at your best; easily hurt, either physically or emotionally
	
lifestyle choices		not wishing to cause someone else a lot of worry or hard work	
an attitude			
	not as strong as the other sex or gender
	
admit					not wishing to disturb others
	
vulnerability 
(adj. vulnerable)				to carry on as normal
	
more accessible			a heart condition

Complete the sentences below with a word from the matching exercise. Then ask your partner.

1.	In what ways are men the weaker ________ according to the programme?
2.	Which of your _________ choices are healthy? Which are unhealthy?
3.	If you feel unwell, do you take a day off work or is it __________ as usual?
4.	What kind of things make people _____________ to illness? Which people are most __________ ?
5.	Is it better to make a ________ or suffer silently when you are sick?
6.	Do you think the health system in Hong Kong could be more _______ or is it easy to get good health care?
7.	Who do you think should bear the _____________ of healthcare in the community?

Answers	

the weaker sex				not as strong as the other sex or gender
	
angina					a heart condition
	
business as usual			to carry on as normal
	
didn't want to be a fuss		not wishing to disturb others
	
didn't want to be a burden		not wishing to cause someone else a lot of worry or hard work	
lifestyle choices		things we choose to do in life,  e.g. drinking, smoking, 
exercising or what a person eats	
an attitude			
	the way you think and feel about something or someone	
admit					agree that something is true	
vulnerability 
(adj. vulnerable)				not at your best; easily hurt, either physically or emotionally
	
more accessible			easier to reach or use	

1.	In what ways are men the weaker sex according to the programme?
2.	Which of your lifestyle choices are healthy? Which are unhealthy?
3.	If you feel unwell, do you take a day off work or is it business as usual?
4.	What kind of things make people vulnerable to illness? Which people are most vulnerable?
5.	Is it better to make a fuss or suffer silently when you are sick?
6.	Do you think the health system in Hong Kong could be more accessible or is it easy to get good health care?
7.	Who do you think should bear the burden of healthcare in the community?