英音听力｜BBC & 经济学人等 - 节目列表

Is EQ the secret to success at work? According to research studies coming out of top US universities, having high emotional intelligence, or EQ, can help you to succeed, particularly at work. The idea of emotional intelligence was introduced by psychologist John Mayer in the 90s and has gained popularity since, especially because it is said to be something that you can improve. Someone with high emotional intelligence can supposedly build strong relationships, achieve their goals and manage their emotions – key areas for success in most jobs! It's likely that, during your career, you will need to work in a team. A 2020 Harvard study, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, investigated social skills and team players. They did this by grouping volunteers and giving them a variety of tricky problems. They then compared the top individual performers. Results showed two main reasons why these individuals excelled, both linked to emotional intelligence. The first reason was that they were very good at recognising the emotional state of their teammates. The second was that they helped to improve their team's performance through motivation. When researching links between emotion-understanding ability and risk-taking, a 2012 Yale study found emotional intelligence to be critical to decision making. Researchers investigated the way that leaders come to a decision when they are under pressure. The results revealed that participants with a high awareness of why they felt under pressure managed to keep a clearer head and were less likely to take risks. Being able to understand and manage emotions is a key part of EQ. So, if you're trying to succeed, work on your emotional intelligence and it may just make a difference! 词汇表 emotional intelligence 情商，情绪智力（指感知、理解、管理自己及他人情绪的能力） gain popularity 变得流行，受欢迎，普及 supposedly [səˈpəʊzɪdli] adv. 据说，据称，据推测 team players 团队合作者，善于团队协作的人 group [ɡruːp] vt. 将…分组，将…归类 tricky [ˈtrɪki] adj. 棘手的，难处理的 excel [ɪkˈsel] vi. 表现出色，脱颖而出 emotion-understanding ability 情绪理解能力（识别和解读他人情绪状态的能力） risk-taking [ˈrɪsk ˌteɪkɪŋ] n. 冒险，承担风险 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Why temperature records are being not only broken but smashed European farmers are still counting the cost of last year's drought, which saw plummeting yields of crops like maize and corn. But France today reported it's already short of water, and the European Environment Agency expects this to become a continent-wide problem. Paradoxically, this will also lead to worse flooding as more water evaporates and then eventually falls back to Earth. The agency's report also warns there'll be about 60 days each year so hot they're dangerous, and that European healthcare needs to adapt to cope with consequent rises in cardiovascular and respiratory illness. In the longer term, disease carrying insects like the tiger mosquito will thrive in the warmer climate. Predictions like this have previously been dismissed as scaremongering, but climate scientists say the changes are actually happening even faster than they expected. 词汇表 smash [smæʃ] vt. 打破，粉碎，刷新（纪录等） drought [draʊt] n. 干旱，旱灾 plummeting [ˈplʌmɪtɪŋ] adj. 暴跌的，骤降的 yield [jiːld] n. 产量，产出，收成 maize [meɪz] n. 玉米（英式英语，美式常用 corn） continent-wide [ˈkɒntɪnənt waɪd] adj. 遍及整个大陆的，全洲范围的 paradoxically [ˌpærəˈdɒksɪkli] adv. 自相矛盾地，悖论地 evaporate [ɪˈvæpəreɪt] vt./vi. （使）蒸发，消失 cardiovascular [ˌkɑːdiəʊˈvæskjələ(r)] adj. 心血管的 respiratory [rɪˈspaɪrətri] adj. 呼吸的，呼吸系统的 tiger mosquito 白纹伊蚊，虎蚊（一种可传播疾病的蚊子） thrive [θraɪv] vi. 茁壮成长，繁荣；大量繁殖 dismiss [dɪsˈmɪs] vt. 驳回，不予理会，驳斥 scaremongering [ˈskeəmʌŋɡərɪŋ] n. 危言耸听，制造恐慌 🗒️翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

Is it really a good idea to drink coffee every morning? If the mere smell of a good cup of coffee is enough to get you out of bed, you might want to rethink your early morning ritual. According to nutritionists, drinking coffee right after waking up can have harmful effects. While you might rely on it to wake you up and give you energy, consuming it this early can actually make you more tired. Isn't coffee a stimulant? Yes, but that's part of the problem. When you wake up, your body naturally produces cortisol, the stress hormone, to help you get going. Adding caffeine at this time can cause an excess of cortisol, which isn't good for your body and can make you feel even more tired, especially if you drink it on an empty stomach. What happens when you drink coffee on an empty stomach? Nutritionists explain that without food to slow down its absorption, caffeine quickly enters your bloodstream, which can lead to an accelerated heart rate and palpitations. It overstimulates your brain's synapses, leading to brain fatigue and overall tiredness. The initial excitement from caffeine masks this fatigue, but it eventually catches up with you, leaving you even more tired. Another side effect of drinking coffee in the morning is weight gain. It can promote insulin resistance, making it unsuitable for diabetics. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach prevents the elimination of cortisol, creating stress, disrupting blood sugar regulation and encouraging weight gain and fatigue. That's why it's important to give your body time to lower its cortisol levels. So what should you drink in the morning? You don't have to give up your morning coffee entirely, just try to drink it at the right time. Your body's natural cortisol peaks occur between 8 and 9am, 12 and 1pm, and 5 and 6.30pm. During these times, your body doesn't need extra stress. Instead, try drinking coffee between these peaks. Any tips for coffee lovers? If you're really addicted to your morning cup, try postponing it. Ideally, have your first cup about an hour after waking up, in the middle of breakfast, to limit its impact on your body, especially your digestive system. Remember, coffee can also irritate your liver. There you have it. 词汇表 ritual [ˈrɪtʃuəl] n. 仪式，惯例，习惯 nutritionist [njuːˈtrɪʃənɪst] n. 营养学家 stimulant [ˈstɪmjələnt] n. 兴奋剂，刺激物 cortisol [ˈkɔːtɪsɒl] n. 皮质醇 stress hormone [ˈhɔːməʊn] 压力荷尔蒙，应激激素 caffeine [ˈkæfiːn] n. 咖啡因 bloodstream [ˈblʌdstriːm] n. 血流，血液循环 palpitation [ˌpælpɪˈteɪʃn] n. 心悸，心跳过快 overstimulate [ˌəʊvəˈstɪmjuleɪt] vt. 过度刺激 synapse [ˈsaɪnæps] n. （神经元的）突触 insulin resistance [ˈɪnsjəlɪn rɪˈzɪstəns] 胰岛素抵抗，胰岛素抗性 diabetic [ˌdaɪəˈbetɪk] n. 糖尿病患者 elimination [ɪˌlɪmɪˈneɪʃn] n. 消除，排除，排泄，代谢 blood sugar regulation 血糖调节 postpone [pəˈspəʊn] vt. 推迟，延期 digestive system [daɪˈdʒestɪv] 消化系统 irritate [ˈɪrɪteɪt] vt. 刺激，使恼怒，使不适 liver [ˈlɪvə(r)] n. 肝脏 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Keeping cool in the heat This summer, the UK, and much of the northern hemisphere, has experienced a heatwave – a sustained period of roasting temperatures and scorching sunshine. While many welcome the Sun and warmth, too much can be dangerous to health. So what are the best ways to keep cool? Firstly, avoiding exposure is a good idea, says the UK Met office. This means not going out in direct sunlight, or, where possible, sticking to shadows and shade. This also means that covering up is a good idea. Wear loose, airy clothing, which fully covers the body, as well as a hat and sunglasses. In addition, a parasol could provide valuable protection. Finally, the UK's National Health Service recommends not going out between 11 in the morning and three in the afternoon if you are vulnerable to the Sun. Staying hydrated is another excellent idea. The human body is approximately 60% water, which on a hot day, can be depleted through sweat. If this water is not replenished, dehydration can occur. The US Geological Survey's water science school recommends drinking three litres a day for an adult male, and 2.3 litres for an adult female, though this varies according to circumstance. You should also avoid alcohol, which dehydrates the body. Whether at home or at work, steps should be taken to reduce temperatures indoors, too. Blinds, curtains and shades should be closed and windows opened to allow the building to ventilate. This is especially important at night while you sleep. The UK Met office says "night cooling is important as it allows the body to recuperate." Finally, for those working outside, extra precautions should be taken. In addition to staying covered and drinking water, high-factor sunscreen should be worn to stop sunburn and the possible development of skin cancer. In addition, those who perform physical tasks in the Sun should be careful of heatstroke, which, according to the UK Met Office, can be fatal. For many, summer is a well-loved period of warmth and outdoor activity, but as the old saying goes, everything in moderation. That said, as long as people remember the basics and look after themselves, there is no reason why a prolonged heatwave can't become the summer that everyone remembers. 词汇表 heatwave [ˈhiːtweɪv] n. 热浪，酷暑期 roasting [ˈrəʊstɪŋ] adj. 酷热的，炙热的 scorching [ˈskɔːtʃɪŋ] adj. 灼热的，酷热的 exposure [ɪkˈspəʊʒə(r)] n. 暴露，暴晒，接触阳光 shade [ʃeɪd] n. 阴凉处，阴影；卷帘，遮阳帘 cover up 遮盖，遮挡防护 airy [ˈeəri] adj. 透气的，通风的，轻盈的 parasol [ˈpærəsɒl] n. 遮阳伞，阳伞 be vulnerable to [ˈvʌlnərəbl] 易受…伤害的，对…敏感的 stay hydrated [haɪˈdreɪtɪd] 保持水分充足 deplete [dɪˈpliːt] vt. 耗尽，使枯竭，流失 replenish [rɪˈplenɪʃ] vt. 补充，重新装满 dehydration [ˌdiːhaɪˈdreɪʃn] n. 脱水 dehydrate [ˌdiːhaɪˈdreɪt] vt./vi. （使）脱水 blind [blaɪnd] n. 百叶窗，卷帘 ventilate [ˈventɪleɪt] vt. 使通风，使空气流通 recuperate [rɪˈkuːpəreɪt] vi. 恢复，复原，康复 precaution [prɪˈkɔːʃn] n. 预防措施，防备 high-factor sunscreen 高倍数防晒霜 heatstroke [ˈhiːtstrəʊk] n. 中暑，热射病 fatal [ˈfeɪtl] adj. 致命的，毁灭性的 well-loved [ˌwel ˈlʌvd] adj. 备受喜爱的，深得人心的 everything in moderation [ˌmɒdəˈreɪʃn] 凡事皆有度，适度为宜 prolonged [prəˈlɒŋd] adj. 持久的，长期的，延长的 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

5 simple hacks to help you learn a language If you've ever tried to learn a language and you only remember phrases like, "The monkey is on the table, " or, "A waiter is eating your croissant, " you're not alone. Random phrases that can make you laugh are wonderful ways to learn new grammar, new vocabulary. But if you really want to level up your language learning game, here are five smart and fun hacks to make language learning a lot more effective. #1 Learn 50 most common phrases Don't start with complicated grammar rules or endless vocabulary lists. You should actually start with 50 common phrases. Why? Because these are the building blocks of real conversations. So you could start with something like, "How are you?" Can I get something? And make them personal. Choose phrases that you're actually going to use in daily life. If you love matcha, learn how to order it. And if you like traveling, why not learn some simple phrases so that you can connect with the locals? The more relevant the phrases, the faster they'll stick. #2 Listen Listen to the language you're learning as much as you can, whether it's YouTube channels for learners, radio stations, audiobooks. Everything helps, and it's best to listen to language just above your level of comprehension. Even if you don't understand it all, listening tunes your ear to the sounds and rhythm of a language. It activates memory and pattern recognition, which is essential for becoming fluent. Think of it as strength training, but for your brain. #3 Talk to yourself Talk to yourself, or your dog, or even your houseplant. Ask them how they are. ... Extend your conversations. I'm making a tea. Would you like one, too? It'll feel funny at first, but you'll get used to it. But of course, language is social, so the sooner you start chatting with others, the better. Even if it is just a few words, it all helps with your fluency and motivation. And it means that, yes, at some point, you're going to have to stop talking to the pot plant and start speaking to real humans. #4 Learn through chillin' You can use TV shows, films, and music to learn. Watching shows in your target language is a great way of learning, not just the lingo, but getting an understanding of cultural context as well. And don't be afraid to watch children's TV at first if it's easier to understand. Follow social media accounts in the language that you're learning. These sources teach you real-life expressions that you'd never pick up from a textbook. They're fun, engaging, and a great way of keeping you consistent. #5 Practise with AI Whether you're an AI skeptic or you're practically married to your favorite chatbot, why not use it to learn a language? AI chatbots can simulate real dialogue, giving you a safe space to make mistakes and get instant feedback. You don't need to feel embarrassed in front of it. You can even ask the bot to respond at your language level or correct your grammar, and this can be great for building confidence and practicing ahead of speaking to a real-life person. It's like having a 24/7 tutor. So there you have it, five ways to boost your learning. But remember, the goal of all this is to actually speak to other people. If you were learning how to ride a bike, you wouldn't sit reading a manual in your bedroom. You would actually get on one. Find other people to practice with as early as possible, because it's when you're having real conversations that the magic happens. 词汇表 croissant [ˈkwæsɒ̃] n. 牛角包，羊角面包 level up [ˌlevəl] 升级，提升水平 hack [hæk] n. 窍门，技巧，妙招 building block 积木；基石，构成要素 matcha [ˈmætʃə] n. 抹茶 tune [tjuːn] vt. 调整，调节，使适应 strength training 力量训练，体能训练 houseplant [ˈhaʊsplɑːnt] n. 室内植物，盆栽植物 pot plant [ˈpɒt plɑːnt] 盆栽植物（英式英语） chillin' [ˈtʃɪlɪn] v. 放松，休闲（chilling 的口语缩写） lingo [ˈlɪŋɡəʊ] n. 语言，外国语；行话 consistent [kənˈsɪstənt] adj. 持续的，一致的 skeptic [ˈskeptɪk] n. 怀疑论者，持怀疑态度的人 chatbot [ˈtʃætbɒt] n. 聊天机器人 simulate [ˈsɪmjuleɪt] vt. 模拟，模仿 instant feedback [ˈɪnstənt ˈfiːdbæk] 即时反馈，立即回馈 24/7 tutor [ˈtjuːtə] 全天候私人教师（24小时/7天不间断） manual [ˈmænjuəl] n. 手册，说明书，指南 💡 视频、翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Why are most people right-handed? Around the age of four, children develop a preference for using one of their hands to complete certain tasks, like drawing for example. The same goes for foot preference when it comes to which foot they use to start going up a flight of stairs, or to kick a ball. A similar preference even emerges for using one of our eyes and one of our ears. Generally when a child reaches the age of five, their preference for using one side of the body to carry out tasks is well ingrained. This developmental process is known as right-left asymmetry. According to the US National Library of Medicine, 85 to 90% of adults are right-handed. What dictates whether we prefer using our left or right hand? First of all, it's important to note that the brain's left hemisphere controls the motor functions of the right hand side of the body, while the right hemisphere controls the left hand side. In most people, the left hemisphere controls hand movements, which is part of the reason why most people are right-handed. Indeed, the left half of the brain also controls language, scientific researchers shown that ambidextrous children are more likely to struggle with language development, in comparison to those who have a clear preference for either their right or left hand. Handedness is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including differences between the brain's 2 hemispheres, genetics and environment. Isn't being left-handed hereditary? There are a number of theories relating to that hypothesis, but it's clear that genetics does have a role to play. According to the conversation, when both the child's parents are right handed, the chances of that child being left handed are just 9%, when one of the parents is left-handed, that can rise to 20%. And when both are left handed, it's a relatively huge 27%. Aside from genetic predisposition, the baby's head position as a fetus also comes into play, as well as social and cultural factors during childhood. For a long time, being left-handed was wrongly considered health deficiency. Why do people say that left-handed people are more creative? Some studies have suggested that left-handed people have a more diverse neural network allowing them to make unique and unconventional connections between ideas. Indeed, brain scans indicate that left-handed people do think differently from right handed people. They tend to activate the right half of their brain more for certain tasks and functions. This difference in brain function could make creativity come more easily. There you have it. 词汇表 ingrained [ɪnˈɡreɪnd] adj. 根深蒂固的，牢固的 right-left asymmetry [ˈæsɪmetri] 左右不对称（性） right-handed [ˌraɪt ˈhændɪd] adj. 右撇子的，惯用右手的 left-handed [ˌleft ˈhændɪd] adj. 左撇子的，惯用左手的 dictate [dɪkˈteɪt] vt. 决定，支配，规定 hemisphere [ˈhemɪsfɪə(r)] n. （大脑）半球 motor functions [ˈməʊtə(r)] 运动功能 ambidextrous [ˌæmbiˈdekstrəs] adj. 双手都灵活的，双手灵巧的，左右手并用的 handedness [ˈhændɪdnəs] n. 用手习惯，利手性（偏好使用左手或右手） genetics [dʒəˈnetɪks] n. 遗传学，遗传因素 hereditary [həˈredɪtri] adj. （特点或疾病）遗传的 hypothesis [haɪˈpɒθəsɪs] n. 假说，假设 genetic predisposition [ˌdʒəˈnetɪk ˌpriːdɪspəˈzɪʃn] 遗传倾向，遗传易感性 fetus [ˈfiːtəs] n. 胎，胎儿 come into play 开始起作用，产生影响 deficiency [dɪˈfɪʃnsi] n. 缺陷，不足，缺乏 neural network [ˈnjʊərəl ˈnetwɜːk] 神经网络 unconventional [ˌʌnkənˈvenʃənl] adj. 非传统的，非常规的，新奇的 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Breathwork techniques to reduce stress Whether you've reached work or study burnout, you're going through relationship dramas, or you just feel weighed down by life in general, stress is something that's difficult to avoid. If only there were an easy and free way to alleviate it. Luckily, there is! Breathwork. Breathing is the first and last thing we do on this planet, and it's the simplest way we can alleviate stress and anxiety both immediately and long-term, when done properly. So, how can we reap the benefits? It's about slowing down. "We all tend to hyperventilate, breathing too fast and not very effectively," says David Spiegel, professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford University in the US. One way to make our breathing more intentional is a technique called 'cyclic sighing', with a focus on prolonged exhalation. Begin with a deep inhale through your nose. Just when you think you're done, take a short, sharp breath to fully fill the lungs. Then, let out a slow and extended sigh to completely empty your lungs. A 2023 study published in PubMed by Spiegel and colleagues found that just five minutes a day of cyclic sighing improved mood and lowered anxiety. For a more advanced method, try 'coherent breathing'. To do this, you want to find a comfortable position, with one hand on your belly, and the other on your chest. Inhale through your nose for about six seconds, making the hand on your belly rise by engaging your diaphragm. Then exhale for the same duration. The key is to keep your breath smooth and continuous. "Imagine your breath as a slow tide coming in and going out," says Guy Fincham, who leads a breathwork research lab at Brighton and Sussex Medical School in the UK. The A52 breath method is similar, except at the end of the exhalation, you hold your breath for a couple of seconds before breathing in again. Slowing down our breathing works because it relaxes the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the 'fight-or-flight' response and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the body's 'rest-and-digest' functions. This calms the body. So, whenever you start to feel overwhelmed, remember that you have this easy and instant stress-reliever in your toolkit. 词汇表 burnout [ˈbɜːnaʊt] n. 精疲力竭，倦怠 drama [ˈdrɑːmə] n. 戏剧性事件，感情纠葛 feel weighed down by 被…压垮，因…感到沉重 alleviate [əˈliːvieɪt] vt. 减轻，缓解 breathwork [ˈbreθwɜːk] n. 呼吸练习，呼吸法 reap the benefits [riːp] 获得益处，收获好处 hyperventilate [ˌhaɪpəˈventɪleɪt] vi. 过度换气，呼吸急促 psychiatry [saɪˈkaɪətri] n. 精神病学 cyclic sighing [ˈsaɪklɪk ˈsaɪɪŋ] 循环叹息（呼吸技巧：深吸气后短暂补吸，再缓慢呼气） prolonged exhalation [prəˈlɒŋd ˌekshəˈleɪʃn] 延长呼气 inhale [ɪnˈheɪl] v. 吸气，吸入 coherent breathing [kəʊˈhɪərənt] 谐振呼吸，连贯呼吸（一种等时长吸气和呼气的平稳呼吸法） belly [ˈbeli] n. 腹部，肚子 chest [tʃest] n. 胸部，胸口 diaphragm [ˈdaɪəfræm] n. 横膈膜，膈肌 exhale [eksˈheɪl] v. 呼气，呼出 tide [taɪd] n. 潮汐，潮水 sympathetic nervous system [ˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk] 交感神经系统 'fight-or-flight' 战斗或逃跑（应激反应） parasympathetic nervous system [ˌpærəˌsɪmpəˈθetɪk] 副交感神经系统 'rest-and-digest' 休息与消化（身体功能） stress-reliever [ˈstres rɪˌliːvə] n. 减压方法，缓解压力的事物 toolkit [ˈtuːlkɪt] n. 工具箱，工具包（此处比喻为可用的方法/技能集合） 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Limiting screen time for children Neil Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil. Becca And I'm Becca. Neil, I've noticed that you're pretty good at not checking your phone at work. How much time do you spend on your phone outside of work? Neil Yes, I probably was. You know, Becca, I spend far too much time looking at my phone, and I really don't like it. How about you? Becca I don't think you're alone. I also spend way too much time looking at my phone. Neil Well, Becca, we are both adults, but today we're talking about screen time and children screen time. Screen time - that's how much time you spend using devices like smart phones, tablets and laptops. Becca Yes, and it's a particular worry of many parents that their children spend too much time on these devices. At the end of last year, Australia banned access to social media apps for under 16s, and countries like the UK are considering similar measures. Neil So, why is this? In this episode, we'll hear from a clinical psychologist and research associate at the University of Cambridge talking about screentime and children. Becca But first Neil, I have a question for you. According to The UK media regulator, how many children aged three to four have a smartphone? Is it: a) one in twenty, b) one in ten, or c) one in five? Neil Wow. Well, I'm going to guess 1 in 20, but I think it's probably more than that. Becca Well, we'll find out the answer later. Dr Emily Goodacre is a research associate at the University of Cambridge. Here, she tells Shiona McCallum, presenter of BBC World Service programme, Tech Life, her thoughts on whether we should take away children's screen devices completely. Dr Emily Goodacre Yeah, I think it's not as much as getting them away from technology but being intentional about how we use technology with children. For me, the bar absolutely needs to be higher, and therefore I think about how to design products that think about childhood first and really think about how children at different stages learn and develop and then see if there's a way that technology can enable that. Neil Emily highlights how, rather than stopping children from using technology, parents need to be more intentional about how their children use it. An intention is a plan or reason to do something. So, to be intentional is to act with that plan or reason in mind. It may make you act more carefully as a result. Becca Emily also says the bar needs to be higher. The idiom the bar is low means that the standards, expectations, or requirements are minimal and very easy to meet. Therefore, she believes that the bar needs to be higher – parents need to make their expectations higher. They need to think or act more carefully when considering how much time children spend with technology. You might also hear people say set the bar higher or lower. Neil Emily believes that being more intentional and setting the bar higher will enable children to learn and develop alongside technology. If you enable something, you encourage somebody's ability to do something, or to make something possible. Becca Now let's hear Dr Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist and founder of an online parenting platform, talking about how parents feel about tech and children, for BBC World Service programme, Tech Life: Dr Becky Kennedy I find parents are very, very eager to understand what's really happening around technology in kids and then have practical, realistic things they can do in their home to make little shifts that feel better. Neil Becky has found that many parents are eager to understand their children's use of technology. Eager is an adjective that describes wanting to do or have something very much. Becca Becky also talks about making little shifts. A shift is a small change. It can be used as a verb or a noun. Becky shares an example of a shift that can help parents reduce children's screen time, moving the device somewhere it can't be seen: Dr Becky Kennedy You can even say to a kid, you know why I moved it? It's actually because it's a really hard thing for me to expect from you, to see a screen in a room and not want to use it. I wasn't setting you up for success. Neil Becky explains how it's difficult for children to be expected to reduce their screen time if they can see their device. Having the device in view doesn't set them up for success. If you set someone up for something, you prepare them for it. Becca Yes. For example, earlier, I set Neil up for a shock when I asked him a question about screen time. Neil, I asked you, according to The UK media regulator, how many children ages three to four have a smartphone. Neil And I said 1 in 20. Becca Well, it is in fact, see 1 in 5. Neil Wow. I thought it might be more than I said. Now, let's recap the vocabulary we've learned, starting with intentional. It's an adjective that describes acting with a plan or reason in mind. Becca We had the expression the bar needs to be higher. To set the bar higher is to make your expectations higher. Neil We also had enable. This is to encourage someone's ability to do something, or to make something possible. Becca To be eager is to want to do or have something very much. Neil A shift is a small change. You can also use it as verb with to mean changing something slightly. Becca And if you set someone up for something, you prepare them for it. Once again, our six minutes are up. See you again soon. But for now, it's goodbye. Neil Goodbye! 词汇表 tablet [ˈtæblət] n. 平板电脑 laptop [ˈlæptɒp] n. 笔记本电脑 intention [ɪnˈtenʃn] n. 意图，目的，打算 intentional [ɪnˈtenʃənl] adj. 有意的，有意识的，故意的 enable [ɪˈneɪbl] vt. 使能够，使成为可能 the bar is low 标准很低，门槛很低，要求不高 the bar needs to be higher 标准需要提高 set the bar higher / lower 提高/降低标准 be eager to [ˈiːɡə(r)] 渴望，盼望，热切想要 shift [ʃɪft] n. 改变，转变，移动 make little shifts 做出小改变，进行微调 set someone up for something 为某人创造…的条件，为某人铺垫好…，帮某人准备好… set you up for success 为你创造成功的条件，为你铺路 set someone up for a shock 让某人大吃一惊，让某人猝不及防 📝 翻译及pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

Is 7 years the tipping point for friendships? We can all picture someone, a friend who once meant a lot, the person you could call anytime, the one you'd lose track of time with. Maybe they're still in your life, or maybe they're not. And if they aren't, does that automatically mean something went wrong? Friendships aren't fixed. They shift and change, just like we do. How long does it actually take to become friends? It turns out it's not instant. Communication researcher Jeffrey Hall at the University of Kansas tried to work it out. His findings suggest it takes roughly 50 hours together to move from acquaintance to casual friends, around 90 hours to become friends, and more than 200 hours before someone qualifies as a close friend. But that time has to be intentional. Simply sharing a workplace with someone you like doesn't quite count. The interaction has to be chosen, not just part of the routine. So where does this seven-year idea come from? It's often linked to research by sociologist Gerald Mollenhorst from Utrecht University. In a 2009 study, he found that about half of our personal relationships turn over within roughly 7 years. The explanation is fairly straightforward. Our friendships are often tied to specific places of life. School ends, jobs change, people move, priorities shift, and when the context disappears, some relationships naturally fade with it. So what happens after 7 years? Friendships that make it past that point often become more resilient, they're no longer based only on shared circumstances, but on deeper connection, having already weathered a few life transitions, they're generally more likely to last. Some researchers point to age 25 as being another turning point in our friendship, a study published in Royal Society Open Science, suggests that's where our social circles begin to shrink. Until then, our networks tend to be particularly dense, with around 20 regular contacts each month on average, before gradually narrowing as we focus on fewer, closer relationships. But should we take these numbers literally? Not really. They're not hard rules, just broad trends observed in a handful of studies. If they've become so popular, is because they offer a simple way to understand something complex. When friendships end, it can feel like a personal failure. These timelines help frame those changes as normal, but they're only guidelines, not destiny. There you have it. 词汇表 tipping point 临界点，转折点，关键时刻 fixed [fɪkst] adj. 固定的，不变的 acquaintance [əˈkweɪntəns] n. 相识的人，熟人；泛泛之交 casual friends 普通朋友，泛泛之交 intentional [ɪnˈtenʃənl] adj. 有意的，故意的，刻意的 sociologist [ˌsəʊsiˈɒlədʒɪst] n. 社会学家 turn over 更替，翻转，移交 weather [ˈweðə(r)] vt. 经受住，平安度过（困难） turning point 转折点，转机 social circles 社交圈，社交圈子 shrink [ʃrɪŋk] vi. 缩小，收缩 network [ˈnetwɜːk] n. 人际关系网，人脉 dense [dens] adj. 密集的，稠密的 regular contacts 定期联系的人，固定联系人 narrow [ˈnærəʊ] vi. 变窄，收窄，缩小 take something literally 按字面意思理解，当真 hard rules 硬性规则，铁律 a handful of [ˈhændfʊl] 少数，几个，一把 timeline [ˈtaɪmlaɪn] n. 时间线，时间表 frame…as [freɪm] 将…视为，把…界定为 guideline [ˈɡaɪdlaɪn] n. 指导方针，参考，准则 destiny [ˈdestəni] n. 命运，定数，天命 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

The cost of our car dependency Driving: do we love it because it's quick and convenient, or is it just that we don't have a choice? Either way, commuting by car is becoming more common across the world. While this could mean that people are getting more mobility and freedom, could it have a cost? As the number of cars on the road increases, so does congestion. As more people travel by car, more road space is used up. According to the OECD's International Transport Forum, the average person travelling in a car takes up five times as much road space as someone on a bus. This is made worse by the fact that, on average, today's cars are larger than those of the past. Tailbacks and other traffic jams in the UK could be costing £7.5 billion each year in wasted time. It's not just gridlock and wasted time that's the problem. Car dependency has significant health impacts. Air pollution from diesel and petrol cars can cause health problems such as asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Road traffic accidents lead to injuries and fatalities. Additional to this are the long-term problems caused by sedentary lifestyles, leading to poor fitness and obesity. Road-building developments can also split communities, leading people to feel cut off. Where road transport dominates an area, people without access to a car can feel isolated. Cities and countries are sometimes tempted to build new roads to reduce the potential for snarl-ups. However, some experts say that this can cause induced demand where increased road capacity leads to more people driving, and congestion is soon back to its previous level. The other side of this theory is that when road space allocation is taken away from private cars, often congestion won't get any worse. Authorities in some cities, such as Seoul and Utrecht, have demolished motorways, leaving natural features such as streams and rivers in their place. Making drivers pay more is an approach used in cities like London, or Singapore, where ten-year car ownership licenses can cost over £60,000. The increased costs can help reduce the number of cars on the road and make traffic flow faster. 词汇表 commute [kəˈmjuːt] vi./vt. 通勤，上下班往返 mobility [məʊˈbɪləti] n. 流动性，移动性 congestion [kənˈdʒestʃən] n. （交通）堵塞，拥堵 tailback [ˈteɪlbæk] n. （因堵车形成的）车辆长龙，长队 traffic jam [dʒæm] 交通堵塞，堵车 gridlock [ˈɡrɪdlɒk] n. 交通大堵塞，交通瘫痪 diesel [ˈdiːzl] n. 柴油 petrol [ˈpetrəl] n. 汽油 asthma [ˈæsmə] n. 哮喘，气喘 respiratory [rɪˈspɪrətri] adj. 呼吸的，呼吸系统的 fatality [fəˈtæləti] n. （事故中的）死亡，死者 sedentary [ˈsedntri] adj. 久坐不动的，缺乏活动的 feel cut off 感到与外界隔绝，被疏远 isolated [ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd] adj. 孤立的，与世隔绝的 snarl-up [ˈsnɑːl ʌp] n. 交通堵塞，拥堵，混乱 induced demand [ɪnˈdjuːst dɪˈmɑːnd] 诱导需求（因供给增加而引发的需求增长） allocation [ˌæləˈkeɪʃn] n. 分配，配置 demolish [dɪˈmɒlɪʃ] vt. 拆除，拆毁（建筑物） motorway [ˈməʊtəweɪ] n. 高速公路 car ownership licenses [ˈəʊnəʃɪp ˈlaɪsnsɪz] 汽车拥车证，车辆所有权凭证 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire Host: Let's start, though, with Elon Musk, the world's first trillionaire after his company SpaceX debuted on the Nasdaq stock market in New York. Shares closed almost 20% above their initial offer price, valuing the rocket, satellite and AI firm at more than $2 trillion. Mr Musk said his ambition was to take people to the moon, to Mars and beyond. Shares were priced at $135 each. By the closing bell, they were changing hands at $160. Here's how the BBC's partner station CBS covered the opening bell on the Nasdaq as the biggest IPO in stock market history was launched. CBS: If the opening bell sounds a little different today, that is because we wanted to bring you to the floor of the Nasdaq, where SpaceX executives are ringing in today's trading. They're celebrating the launch of their highly anticipated historic IPO. Host: Well, speaking from the SpaceX HQ in Texas, Elon Musk talked about his motivations for launching the company. Musk: If there's not a new company that enters space, we will never be a truly spacefaring civilization. You know, while the other aerospace companies, they build good rockets and everything, they were simply not pursuing the technology that's necessary to make life multi-planetary, to make Star Trek, to make the exciting science fiction futures that we've read about real. And that's what SpaceX is all about. 词汇表 trillionaire [trɪˈljɒneə(r)] n. 万亿富翁，拥有万亿资产的人 SpaceX n. 美国太空探索技术公司（Space Exploration Technologies Corp.） debut [ˈdeɪbjuː] n./vi. 上市，首次亮相，初次登场 Nasdaq [ˈnæzdæk] n. 纳斯达克（美国主要股票交易所之一） stock market 股票市场，证券市场 share n. 股份，股票 initial offer price 首次发行价，发行价 closing bell 收盘钟，收盘铃（股市交易日结束的信号） change hands （股票等）易手，转手，被买卖 opening bell 开盘钟，开盘铃（股市交易日开始的信号） IPO 首次公开募股，首次公开发行（Initial Public Offering） highly anticipated [ænˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪd] 备受期待的，万众瞩目的 spacefaring civilization [ˈspeɪsfeərɪŋ] 太空文明（能够进行太空旅行的文明） aerospace companies [ˈeərəʊspeɪs] 航空航天公司 multi-planetary [ˌmʌltiˈplænɪtəri] adj. 多行星的，跨行星的 Star Trek [trek] 《星际迷航》（美国科幻影视系列） 🌟翻译，pdf及更多文本内容见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可加入【打卡交流群】

Why take a gap year? When you've finished your studies at school and college, do you feel like a well-earned rest? If you're about to embark on a course at university, you'll want to recharge your batteries, let your hair down and have some fun. But how long should you do that for? Now the idea of taking a year off before you move into further education seems to be the thing to do. A year off – also called a gap year – is not a new concept, but there's now a focus on making the most of this break from academic life. Long gone are the days of just hanging out on a beach or backpacking round the world. While that is still an option, a gap year is now more about gaining skills that will help you in later life. The BBC's Smart Consumer podcast spoke to a student called Meg, who said "I just always had in the back of my mind I'd spend a year doing something productive and something that would just be good fun." Doing something productive is exactly what students are being encouraged to do because doing more purposeful things like work experience or charity work helps them acquire skills to use when competing for a place at university. It looks good on their CV and ultimately makes them more employable. Chris Rea is a Higher Education Services Manager from organisation, Prospects. He told the BBC that he thinks "the experience of the gap year has become actually much more practical, partly to do with university participation increasing, but also because of the demands on developing skills, specifically employability skills." While the benefits of taking a gap year are clear to see, some students worry they can't afford it. Another student, Tom, told the BBC that to him, a gap year was an 'alien concept'. He said "it would have been far too expensive and it's not something that I would have been able to rely on my parents or family members for." But some experts say that it needn't burn a hole in your pocket; you don't need to travel far and you can even earn money by doing paid work. For those who do have the funds, a combination of working, volunteering and travelling is undoubtedly an amazing opportunity. It increases confidence and independence, gives you a chance to learn new crafts, and gives you time to contemplate whether university is right for you. 词汇表 well-earned [ˌwel ˈɜːnd] adj. 应得的，理应得到的，当之无愧的 embark on [ɪmˈbɑːk] 开始，着手（新的或重大的事情） recharge your batteries [ˌriːˈtʃɑːdʒ][ˈbætəriz] 休整，养精蓄锐，恢复精力 let your hair down 放松一下，尽情玩乐 gap year [ˈɡæp] 间隔年（中学毕业后、入大学前休学的一年） academic life [ˌækəˈdemɪk] 学业生活，学术生涯 backpack [ˈbækpæk] vi. 背包旅行 purposeful [ˈpɜːpəsf(ə)l] adj. 有目的的，有意义的 charity work [ˈtʃærəti] 慈善工作，公益劳动 employable [ɪmˈplɔɪəb(ə)l] adj. 有资格任职的，适宜雇用的，具备就业能力的 employability skills [ɪmˌplɔɪəˈbɪləti skɪlz] n. 就业技能，可雇用性技能 alien concept [ˈeɪliən] 陌生的概念，迥异的概念 burn a hole in one's pocket 花钱如流水，口袋里留不住钱，一有钱就想花 contemplate [ˈkɒntəmpleɪt] vt. 深思，盘算，仔细考虑 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】