Learning English

A new world record for the world

2016 is looking likely to be the hottest year since temperatures have been recorded. 

Language challenge

In this video, Catherine and Sian discuss ways to say 'very hot' - which of these adjectives does NOT mean 'very hot'? 

a) sweltering
b) sizzling
c) biting

The answer is below the video (no peeking!)

Watch the video and complete the activity

The story

2016 is on course to be the warmest year on record and it will be the third year in a row that a new record has been set. The findings were announced at a meeting of the UN weather agency – the World Meteorological Organisation - in Marrakech in Morocco.

Climate scientists said that although the El Niño weather phenomenon had had an impact, carbon emissions were the most significant factor. 16 of the 17 warmest years in history have been recorded this century.

Key words and phrases

sweltering; sizzling; scorching
very, very hot

on course; on track; on pace
happening in the way we expect, based on what has happened until now 

make tracks
leave a place (often quickly)

lose track
stop being aware of what someone is doing or what is happening

go off the beaten track
travel to places where not many people go

To do

Try our quiz to see how well you've learned today's language.

Downloads

You can download the audio and PDF document for this episode here.

Language challenge - answer

The correct answer is c) biting, which means 'very cold'. 

End of Session 2

Join us in Session 3 for Lingohack - our video which teaches you words from the news using the latest BBC World News bulletins.