Instructor’s Notes

Ted’s instructor: Hello, Ted. I’m glad I saw you before lectures. Did you know

about the change in the examination timetable?

Ted: Change?

Ted’s instructor: Yes. The last day of examinations for your group will be

January 23^rd not January 21^st.

Ted: Is that definite? We were told they’d be on January 22^nd.

Ted’s instructor: There can be no changes now. It’s definitely January 23^rd.

Ted: That’s great. I’m going to London on holiday on January 24^th.

Ted’s instructor: Have you finished your assignment yet?

Ted: I’m nearly there. I think I’ll give it to you on Tuesday.

Ted’s instructor: That’s good. I can’t let you have another extension.

Ted: I was really grateful for the extra time you gave me. That was a

really big assignment.

Ted’s instructor: Well, I’ll expect it next week. Now, would you like to hear the

details of the schedule?

Ted: Oh, yes, please.

Ted’s instructor: You’ll have four examinations. General mechanics is in the

morning of January 8^th, Physics is on the afternoon of January

13^th, mathematics is in the morning of January 18^th, and

information technology in the afternoon of January 23^rd.

Two Professors

Professor Brown: Hello, glad to meet you, Professor Smith, haven’t seen you for

ages, since I left the University.

Professor Smith: How do you do, Professor Brown? I haven’t expected to see you

here. Are you interested in superconductivity problems? By the

way, how are you making your living? I haven’t heard anything

about your work lately. I spent the last two years in Geneva as a

member of a special UN committee.

Professor Brown: I am with Bell Telephone Company. It is a global leader in

electrical engineering. And I deal with new technologies.

Professor Smith: Oh, your work is so important nowadays. Mankind needs energy

for producing light, heat and transportation. This is the basis of

our civilization.

Professor Brown: Sure, that’s so.

Interview with an Expert

Correspondent: Professor, how much impact does weather have on people’s

health and moods?

Professor: We know that weather has an effect on certain diseases such as

arthritis and heart disorders. Weather is also associated with

emotional problems and disturbed behaviour. It is not by itself a

direct cause of mental illness, but it can create an added stress on

people on top of marital, job and other problems.

Correspondent: What kinds of weather have the greatest effect?

Professor: Temperature is the most important factor. Heat is clearly linked to

mood disturbances. We find that heat is an important factor in the

increase of emotional problems.

Correspondent: How much effect does humidity have on individuals?

Professor: Rainy weather leads to gloominess and depression.

Correspondent: And sunshine?

Professor: It’s not too surprising that sunshine, especially in the North, is

associated with positive mood states, especially during winter

months. What’s more interesting is the finding that people are

more likely to help others and behave in a prosocial way.