Are plant-based substitutes healthier than meat?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250626

banger: (slang) sausage

gut reaction: opinion which is based on your initial feelings or instinct and cannot be explained logically

as far as I am concerned: (phrase) used to indicate that you are giving your own opinion

resemble: look or be similar to something

veggie: (slang) a vegetarian – a person who doesn’t eat meat

long-time: used to say that someone has been or done a particular thing for many years

How do babies communicate?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250619

one hundred percent: used to emphasise that you agree completely with something, or that it is completely right or wrong

jerky: quick and sudden; stopping and starting, rather than smooth-flowing

intentional: planned; done on purpose

to the naked eye: as seen without specialist instruments or specialist knowledge

love at first sight: (idiom) experience of starting to love someone as soon as you see them for the first time

unhelpful cliché: overused phrase or comment (cliché) which has the effect of creating negative or unrealistic attitudes

Can climate change affect our mental health?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250612

trauma: the very bad and long-lasting emotional effects of an event or experience

struck by: interested or impressed by

reknit together: become closer again

resilient: able to get better more easily when bad things happen

silver lining: a positive thing that comes from a negative situation

hurdle: challenge or difficulty

How important is politeness?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250605

thingy: (informal) used if you can’t remember someone’s or something’s name

innit: (slang) short form of ‘isn’t it’ which can be used at the end of a statement for emphasis

insulting: rude or offensive

well disposed to (someone): like or approve of (someone)

make excuses for (someone): explain the reasons for someone else’s (negative) behaviour

this and that: (idiom) various unspecified things

What’s your favourite kind of noodle?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250529

give (something) a twist: change or alter something in a creative way to make something new and exciting

exotic: unusual and exciting because of coming from far away

at one point or another: at some unspecified time in the past

tweak: change or alter something slightly to improve it

evolve: develop and change gradually

push the boundaries: (idiom) do things which challenge normal acceptable behaviour

Foods that go crunch

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250522

nothing better in the world: used to emphasise how much someone loves or enjoys something

one of life’s true pleasures: a particular experience, activity, or feeling that someone finds very enjoyable and satisfying

a ton of (something): a lot of (something)

mushy (food): soft (food)

convert: person who has changed their beliefs or way of living

snack: small bit of food you eat between meals, like crisps or a chocolate bar

Which cooking oil is the best?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250515

a load of (something): a lot of (something)

advocate (something): encourage people to use or do (something)

what the heck: informal phrase used to express frustration or surprise

wonder product: an item, usually food or medicine, that people think is very effective or beneficial

knock yourself out: go ahead

hogwash: nonsense or not true

Should animals be kept in zoos?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250508

conservation: the protection of plants, animals and the natural world from damage done by humans

reluctant: not willing, and therefore hesitant, to do something

it takes two to tango: (idiom) used to emphasise that an activity needs two people who are willing to be actively involved for it to succeed

abnormal: different from what would normally be expected, in a bad way

zoochosis: repeated, purposeless behaviour performed by captive animals in response to the stress of being confined, including pacing, head-bobbing and swaying

mimic: copy or imitate

Can cows prevent wildfires?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english_2025/ep-250501

unchecked: increasing without any attempt to limit or prevent it

graze: eat grass (animal); continually eat small bites of food (person)

extinction: situation in which an animal or plant species no longer exists

domestication: situation in which wild animals are controlled by humans for work, food or as pets

voracious: very eager for something, especially food

flammable: easily burns or catches fire