From the surgeon to the Spice Girl: how people in high-pressure jobs cope with stress

This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.

To cope (with something)

To pick up (something/ someone)

To bother (someone) (meaning to annoy)

To be willing (to do something)

To host

Narrow

To let (someone) down

Running late

A downside

To shrink

Overwhelming

Daunting

To leap

Complacent

To get the better of someone/ something

To rehearse

To stutter

To wind down

Harrowing

To outweigh

To spiral out of control

Off and on

To set the tone

To get wound up

Come rain or shine

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1. Which person from the article has the most stressful job?

2. Which person from the article has the best strategy for coping with stress?

3. Is your job stressful?

4. When was the last time you faced a very stressful situation at work?

5. Would you accept a promotion if it meant that you would have a more stressful job?

6. How can a boss reduce the stress levels of her employees?

7. What’s your strategy for coping with stress?

8. What are some bad strategies for coping with stress?

9. Are you good at coping with stress?

10. Can your social life be stressful?

11. Do you know someone who is constantly stressed?

12. Can stress ever be a good thing?

13. Do you think humans have ever been this stressed?

14. What do you think is the most stressful thing about having a child?

15. Does stress make learning impossible?