The surprising power of daily rituals

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.

Unpredictable 

To belong to (someone)

Harmful

To lack (something)/ A lack (of something)

To be struck (by something/ someone)

To bond (with someone)

To occur

To be prone (to something) 

To trigger (something/ someone)

Bias/ Biased

Like-minded

To chant 

Elaborate

Stress-busting

An ordeal

To degrade (someone)

To grieve

To set out

To sprinkle 

To have a bearing (on something) 

Anxiety-inducing 

Threshold

To venture

Endeavour

Hazing 

15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.

1. What did the article say about fishermen?

2. According to the article, why have rituals been used for such a long time?

3. What happened in the study involving 75 Hindu women in Mauritius?

4. According to the article, are there any downsides to ritualistic behaviour?

5. ‘The fishermen in Papua New Guinea were wasting their time when they performed these rituals.’ Do you agree?

6. ‘Rituals can bring people good luck.’ Do you agree?

7. ‘Ritualistic behaviour can improve social bonding.’ Do you agree?

8. ‘There is likely to be less ritualistic behaviour in the future.’ Do you agree?

9. ‘Generally speaking, people in both my native country and the UK celebrate the same events in the same way.’ Is this true for you? 

10. ‘I often use rituals to tackle stress.’ Is this true for you?

11. ‘If I had to prepare a speech for expert evaluation, I would use a ritual to calm myself down.’ Is this true for you?

12. ‘Religious rituals are very common in my native country.’ Is this true for you?

13. ‘Prayer can often have excellent results.’ Do you agree?

14. ‘My native country is very superstitious.’ Is this true for you?

15. ‘There are many examples of ‘hazing’ in my native country.’ Is this true for you?