Hermits - 6 Minute English

Are you happy being all alone, in silence, for long periods of time? Some people love it! Neil and Rob discuss why anybody would want to be a hermit and teach you vocabulary along the way.

This week's question:
Christopher Wright lived in complete isolation for nearly 30 years. When hikers discovered his tent all they found was an alarm clock. Why did Christopher Wright, the hermit of the Maine woods, United States, needed an alarm clock? Was it:
a) to remind him when to hide his tent?
b) to frighten away wild animals?
c) to wake him up at the coldest part of the night so he didn’t freeze to death?

Listen to the programme to find out the answer.

Vocabulary

hermit
someone who lives alone and apart from the rest of society, especially for religious reasons

dictum
short statement or saying giving wise advice or a general truth about life

recluse (noun)
someone who lives alone and deliberately avoids other people

drop out
reject the normal rules and conventions of society and live outside the system

bereavement
(sadness you feel) when a close friend or relative dies

treat
reward or gift of something special and enjoyable

[Cover: Getty Images]
To download the audio and a transcript, go to:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/features/6-minute-english/ep-210520

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