英音听力｜BBC & 经济学人等 - 节目列表

How AI could change the skills you need Are you worried that you can't keep up with AI? Current artificial intelligence systems can do many tasks much quicker than we can. Does this mean that machines will put us out of work? Rather than replace our jobs, it may be more likely that AI will transform the way we work. Previous waves of mechanisation and automation did not cause lasting effects to employment rates. However, the skills valued by the economy could change. Research from Goldman Sachs shows some evidence that AI has affected the US job market differently in different sectors. Being adaptable and understanding how AI and humans can best work together in the industry that you work in is likely to become very important. Humans and artificial intelligence have different strengths. AI systems are naturally best suited to tasks that are repetitive, involve data and that are very large. Humans usually perform best when skills and qualities such as leadership, empathy and judgement are required. Recent research from MIT's Sloan School of Management identified which tasks were best done by humans, and which were best done by AI. They found that where humans were better, working together with AI boosted performance above that of humans working alone. Creative tasks could be an area where this collaboration is particularly productive. Professor David Stilwell from Cambridge University highlights that AI's creativity is currently at a similar level to an average human. Other research shows that using ideas generated by AI, even bad ones, helps humans to come up with better ideas more quickly. Companies need to look at their workflows and processes to see where using AI alone or in collaboration with humans can be more efficient. They can then decide how best to integrate AI into their workflow. Employees should try to learn how best to use AI to support themselves. Being able to do this effectively will help lead to career success. 词汇表 keep up with 跟上，赶上，不落后 put someone out of work 使某人失业 mechanisation [ˌmekənaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n] n. 机械化 automation [ˌɔːtəˈmeɪʃ(ə)n] n. 自动化 lasting effects [ɪˈfekts] 持久影响 Goldman Sachs [ˈɡəʊldmən sæks] 高盛集团（跨国投资银行与金融服务公司） adaptable [əˈdæptəb(ə)l] adj. 适应能力强的，能适应的 be suited to [ˈsuːtɪd] 适合，适宜于 repetitive [rɪˈpetətɪv] adj. 重复的，反复的 empathy [ˈempəθi] n. 同理心，共情能力 collaboration [kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃ(ə)n] n. 合作，协作 come up with 想出，提出（主意、计划等） workflow [ˈwɜːkfləʊ] n. 工作流程，业务流程 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Ultra-processed food is a global health threat, experts warn The international team of researchers says ultra-processed foods present too great a danger to health to wait any longer to take action against them. They say products containing high levels of saturated fat, salt, sugar and additives are displacing fresh food. Examples include processed meats, crisps, mass-produced bread, ready meals and fizzy drinks. The researchers take aim at a handful of massive food corporations, calling for them to face marketing restrictions and extra taxes. 词汇表 ultra-processed foods [ˌʌltrə ˈprəʊsest] 超加工食品 saturated fat [ˈsætʃəreɪtɪd] 饱和脂肪 additive [ˈædətɪv] n. （食品的）添加剂 mass-produced [ˌmæs prəˈdjuːst] adj. 批量生产的，大量生产的 ready meal 即食餐，速食餐，预制餐 fizzy drink [ˈfɪzi] 碳酸饮料，汽水 take aim at 瞄准，将矛头指向，抨击 a handful of 少数的，少量的，一把 massive food corporation [ˈmæsɪv fuːd ˌkɔːpəˈreɪʃn] 大型食品公司 extra taxes [ˈtæksɪz] 额外税费，附加税 🗒️翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

How one village makes 80% of China's New Year lanterns Host: Although New Year celebrations are now over for most of the world, China is still looking ahead to its festival. And even though it's still five weeks away, preparations are already well underway. For one village in northern China, that means production is being stepped up to supply shops, restaurants and millions of people with one of the most important New Year items, red lanterns. Our China correspondent Stephen McDonald travelled to Tuntou to find out more. Stephen: Walking around the streets of Tuntou, you see evidence of lantern-making wherever you look. A view through an open door into a courtyard might reveal a small group of villagers making them by hand. Down the main street, the red lanterns are piled up on top of one another. Nobody seems to know just how many hundreds of years ago the craft started in this part of northern China. But this one village produces a remarkable 80% of the country's lanterns. In fact, if you're born in this part of Hebei Province, you're immersed in lantern making from a very young age. Villager: When you see others in your family doing it every day, you get the hang of it quickly. Stephen: I asked how old villagers are when they start making lanterns. Villager: Kids here can pick it up from around 10 years old. Stephen: Trucks come through to pick up lanterns for delivery which range from the size of a basketball to a small caravan. Villager: We can make lanterns up to 20 meters tall without any problem. Stephen: 72 year old Bai Junping told us he switched from carpentry to lantern making as a young man because the pay was better. Villager: Our village is indeed famous. We're known as the Palace Lantern Village. Stephen: I asked how they felt about dedicating their lives to this. Villager: Of course, I feel proud of my work. Our lanterns can even, at times, be shipped overseas. Stephen: Chinese New Year isn't till February, but the presence of street lanterns is already building up to it, according to one man who'd come to see the lantern show. Visitor: We also hang lanterns in ordinary times, but of course, the atmosphere is better during the New Year period with more people out and about. Stephen: Back in Tuntou, lantern production is in full swing to meet the New Year orders. In the future, modern production may find a way to match what this village can do by hand, offering the same diversity of options at a cheaper price. But for now, it's this village which supplies China with its lanterns, keeping an important cultural symbol alive. 词汇表 underway [ˌʌndəˈweɪ] adj. 进行中的，在开展的 courtyard [ˈkɔːtjɑːd] n. 庭院，院子 pile up 堆积，堆放 craft [krɑːft] n. 手艺，工艺 remarkable [rɪˈmɑːkəbl] adj. 显著的，非凡的 be immersed in [ɪˈmɜːst] 沉浸在…氛围中，被…所包围 get the hang of 掌握…的窍门，学会 caravan [ˈkærəvæn] n. （可供居住的）大篷车，房车 carpentry [ˈkɑːpəntri] n. 木工手艺，木匠业 Palace Lantern Village [ˈpæləs ˈlæntən ˈvɪlɪdʒ] 中国宫灯第一村；宫灯之乡 dedicate one's lives to [ˈdedɪkeɪt] 一生致力于，把一生献给 ship overseas 运往海外，远销海外 in full swing [swɪŋ] 全面展开，如火如荼地进行 🌟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】

The origin of the New Year's resolution Happy New Year! For many in the UK, if the New Year means anything, it means starting with a clean slate and turning over a new leaf. And to do this, many of us make New Year's resolutions – a list of ways that we intend to improve ourselves in the year ahead. We reflect on our past transgressions and resolve not to do them again. Refraining from smoking is ever popular, as is a vow to take up more exercise or spend more time with family. But where does the idea of a New Year's resolution come from? The answer might lie 4,000 years ago in ancient Babylonia, according to History.com. The Babylonians are believed to be the first to hold recorded celebrations for the New Year. The 12-day-long celebration, Akitu, allowed them not only to reaffirm their loyalty to the king, or crown a new one, but also to pledge to the gods to pay their debts and return borrowed objects. For their 'good behaviour', they believed the gods would bestow favour upon them for the year to come. If not, there would be divine consequences! The Romans too had similar traditions. New Year's Day was a time when senators would swear they had upheld the laws and city leaders and soldiers would take an oath of loyalty to the emperor. Incidentally, the month of January, is named after the Roman god Janus. He is the god of beginnings, transitions and time, among other things and is depicted as having two faces – one looking to the past and the other facing forward to the future. The Romans may be long gone, but their legacy lives on. Come the turn of the year, our eyes turn inwards. We look at self-improvement, review our past mistakes, confess our wrongdoings, seek atonement and try to sharpen up in general. Ultimately, much like the Babylonians and Romans, we seek to reaffirm the best parts of ourselves, while leaving the dross behind. Whether you're looking at a quick behavioural tweak, or a huge personality overhaul, you're taking part in a tradition that goes back centuries. I wish you all the best sticking to your resolutions. Happy New Year! 词汇表 start with a clean slate [sleɪt] 从头开始，既往不咎 turn over a new leaf 翻开新篇章，改过自新 New Year's resolution [ˌrezəˈluːʃn] n. 新年决心，新年愿望，新年计划 transgression [trænsˈɡreʃn] n. 过错，罪过，违规行为 resolve [rɪˈzɒlv] v. 下定决心，决定，决意 refrain from [rɪˈfreɪn] 戒除，克制，避免 vow [vaʊ] n. 誓言，誓约 ancient Babylonia [ˌbæbɪˈləʊniə] n. 古巴比伦（古代西亚国家） Babylonian [ˌbæbɪˈləʊniən] adj. 巴比伦的；n. 巴比伦人 Akitu [əˈkiːtuː] n. 阿基图节（古巴比伦新年庆典） reaffirm [ˌriːəˈfɜːm] vt. 重申，再肯定，再次确认 crown [kraʊn] vt. 为…加冕，立…为王 pledge [pledʒ] v. 立誓，承诺，保证 bestow favour upon [bɪˈstəʊ] 赐予恩惠，施恩于 divine consequences [dɪˈvaɪn ˈkɒnsɪkwənsɪz] 神的惩罚，天谴 senator [ˈsenətə(r)] n. 元老院议员，参议员 swear [sweə(r)] vt. 发誓，宣誓 uphold [ʌpˈhəʊld] vt. 维护，遵守（法律、原则等） take an oath [əʊ] 宣誓，立下誓言 incidentally [ˌɪnsɪˈdentəli] adv. 顺带一提，附带地 Janus [ˈdʒeɪnəs] n. 雅努斯（罗马神话中的开端与过渡之神） depict [dɪˈpɪkt] vt. 描绘，描画 confess [kənˈfes] v. 坦白，承认（过错） wrongdoing [ˈrɒŋduːɪŋ] n. 过失，不良行为 atonement [əˈtəʊnmənt] n. 弥补，补偿，赎罪 sharpen up [ˈʃɑːpən] 改进，改善 dross [drɒs] n. 糟粕，废物，无用之物 tweak [twiːk] n. 微调，稍稍调整 overhaul [ˈəʊvəhɔːl] n. 大修，彻底改造，全面改革 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

What are the best ways to keep warm outdoors? A lot of people are reluctant to go out in the cold during the winter season. It's a real shame as there are many ways in which you can protect yourself from low or even sub-zero temperatures. You've probably been told it a million times since you were a kid, but it bears repeating. You need to wrap up warm. The clothes you wear outdoors trap warm air inside them. A good starting point is wearing a cotton T-shirt to absorb sweat and thereby neutralize humidity, which can exacerbate feelings of cold. Then wear a sweater or warm jacket made of a high quality material like wool, cashmere or alpaca. Finally, a decent coat or windcheater on top, as well as a scarf and most importantly a woolly hat or beanie, as 30% of warmth leaves the body via the head. Does drinking hot drinks before going out help? Warm is probably a better option than hot, actually. When you swallow a very hot drink, the feeling of warmth you get quickly fades, as your body struggles to find its regular temperature. Meanwhile, a warm drink won't leave you with that annoying cold sensation afterwards. If you can, go for tea, bouillon or soup before going out, rather than coffee or any type of alcohol. That's because they dilate blood vessels and therefore cause body temperature to drop. Blood moves from the body's core to the surface of our skin, which makes us feel warmer than we actually are. That can be dangerous. How about when we get outside? It might seem obvious, but can easily be forgotten. To keep your body temperature up outside, you need to stay active. Simply walking is enough to stimulate blood flow. Move your arms as you walk, and don't keep your hands in your pocket, no matter how tempting it might be. Tapping your face gently will also help stimulate blood flow. Your hands are particularly sensitive to the cold, so don't forget to wear gloves or mittens. You can also rub your hands together or use hand warmers, which are very practical when it gets extra cold. If you're still feeling cold any time you go out, you may want to talk to your doctor about it. Sometimes sensitivity to cold is caused by an underlying health condition. like iron deficiency, a low body mass index, poor blood circulation or hypothyroidism. There you have it. 词汇表 reluctant [rɪˈlʌktənt] adj. 不情愿的，勉强的 sub-zero [ˌsʌb ˈzɪərəʊ] adj. 零下的，严寒的 wrap up warm [ræp] 穿暖和些 cotton T-shirt [ˈkɒtn ˈtʃɜːt] 棉质T恤 neutralize humidity [ˈnjuːtrəlaɪz hjuːˈmɪdəti] 减少湿度，中和湿度 exacerbate [ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt] vt. 加剧，使恶 cashmere [ˈkæʃmɪə(r)] n. 羊绒，开司米 alpaca [ælˈpækə] n. 羊驼毛；羊驼 decent [ˈdiːsnt] adj. 像样的，得体的 windcheater [ˈwɪndtʃiːtə(r)] n. 防风夹克，风衣 woolly hat [ˈwʊli] 羊毛帽 beanie [ˈbiːni] n. 无檐小便帽，毛线帽 bouillon [ˈbuːjɒn] n. 肉汤，清汤 dilate blood vessels [daɪˈleɪt blʌd ˈveslz] 扩张血管 stimulate blood flow [ˈstɪmjuleɪt] 促进血液循环 tempting [ˈtemptɪŋ] adj. 诱人的，有吸引力的 tap one's face [ˌtæp] 轻拍脸部 be sensitive to [ˈsensətɪv] 对…敏感，易受…影响 mitten [ˈmɪtn] n. 连指手套 rub one's hands together [ˌrʌb] 搓手，摩擦双手 hand warmer [ˌwɔːmə(r)] n. 暖手宝，暖手器 underlying [ˌʌndəˈlaɪɪŋ] adj. 潜在的，根本的 iron deficiency [ˈaɪən dɪˈfɪʃnsi] 缺铁 body mass index [mæs ˈɪndeks] 体重指数（BMI） blood circulation [ˌsɜːkjəˈleɪʃn] 血液循环 hypothyroidism [ˌhaɪpəʊˈθaɪrɔɪdɪzəm] n. 甲状腺功能减退 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

The hidden power of silence Take a second now, and listen to what you can hear around you. Your breathing? Traffic? Silence? If it's the last of those, then good news because silence offers significant benefits for our minds and bodies. In our noise-filled world, silence can make us feel calmer mentally. The absence of noise gives the brain more time to process information and therefore provides much-needed mental clarity. Your focus can improve, and you could feel a deeper connection to emotions and thoughts when there is reduced background noise, according to Pysch Central article 'The hidden benefits of silence'. There have been a variety of studies proving that silence can reduce stress levels. Silence achieves this by lowering cortisol and adrenaline, which encourages mindfulness, promotes self-awareness, and allows the brain to 'reset' and gives a peaceful break from busy lives. There are physical benefits too. A 2013 study called 'Is silence golden?' found that silence can increase the number of cells in the hippocampus of the brain. Researchers studied mice and found that just two hours of silence a day led to cell development. A study into the effects of music and silence was conducted by The National Institutes of Health. Researchers interspersed different musical styles with a period of two-minute silence and discovered that when this silence was introduced, the participants' 'respiratory frequency, heart rate, and blood pressure all decreased to below baseline levels'. While silence has proven mental and physical benefits, did you know it can also help you in conversation? On the BBC podcast 'The glories of being quiet', the presenters discussed how silence in conversation means you're able to listen more and give others the chance to share what they need to. This will naturally make you a better conversational partner and can help nurture relationships. Plus, it helps you to listen and respond in a calm and confident way. So, turn down the noise and relax into some silent peace. 词汇表 noise-filled [nɔɪz fɪld] adj. 充斥着噪音的，嘈杂的 much-needed [ˌmʌtʃ ˈniːdɪd] adj. 急需的，很需要的 mental clarity [ˈmentl ˈklærəti] 思维清晰，头脑清醒 background noise 背景噪音，环境噪音 cortisol [ˈkɔːtɪsɒl] n. 皮质醇（压力激素） adrenaline [əˈdrenəlɪn] n. 肾上腺素（压力激素） mindfulness [ˈmaɪndfʊlnəs] n. 正念，专注当下 self-awareness [ˌself əˈweənəs] n. 自我意识，自我认知 reset [ˌriːˈset] vt. 重启，重置，恢复初始状态 cell [sel] n. 细胞 hippocampus [ˌhɪpəˈkæmpəs] n. 海马体（大脑中负责记忆和学习的部分） intersperse [ˌɪntəˈspɜːs] vt. 穿插，散布 respiratory frequency [rəˈspɪrətri ˈfriːkwənsi] 呼吸频率 baseline [ˈbeɪslaɪn] n. 基准线，基准 glory [ˈɡlɔːri] n. 赞美，赞颂，颂扬 nurture relationships [ˈnɜːtʃə] 培养关系，维系情谊 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

New study shows four pivotal ages for your brain 4,000 brain scans of people up to the age of 90 have revealed our brains go through five distinct eras. The first is childhood. This is when the brain is rapidly growing but getting less efficient over time. Then, a surprisingly long period of adolescence kicks in, starting at the age of nine and lasting until you're 32 when the brain peaks. You then get the longest stage, adulthood, which lasts three decades. Then comes 66 and early ageing. The effects are subtle, but the brain is beginning to fragment as smaller regions work tightly together – it's like a band starting their own solo projects. At 83, this accelerates as we enter the final phase. 词汇表 pivotal [ˈpɪvətl] adj. 关键的，核心的 brain scan [skæn] 脑部扫描 era [ˈɪərə] n. 阶段，时期，时代 adolescence [ˌædəˈlesns] n. 青春期，青少年时期 kick in 开始生效，起作用 peak [piːk] vi. 达到顶峰，达到最佳状态 adulthood [ˈædʌlthʊd] n. 成年，成年期 subtle [ˈsʌtl] adj. 微妙的，细微的，不明显的 fragment [ˈfræɡmənt] v. （使）破碎，分裂，碎片化 tightly [ˈtaɪtli] adv. 紧密地，牢固地 solo project [ˈsəʊləʊ] 个人作品，单飞计划 🗒️翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

Was Christmas better in the past? Beth Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Beth. Neil And I'm Neil. Now, it's Christmas time in the UK at the moment. And like with celebrations around the world, lots of people have many happy memories about Christmas. Beth, do you have any happy Christmas memories? Beth I have a lot. Um, my cousins and I used to always put on a Christmas performance for the family. That was always fun. What about you? Neil Christmas was magical. I lived in Canada when I was a kid and it was always snowing, so it just felt perfect. Beth Amazing. Well, at this time of year, we might look back at the Christmases from the past, from our childhood, and feel like they were happier or more magical than Christmas feels today. Neil Yes, thinking about the past can make us feel happy and sad at the same time. It's a strange feeling we call nostalgia. And we're going to be talking about nostalgia today as well as Christmas memories and traditions. First, Beth, I have a question for you. In the UK, the most popular Christmas meal is a roast turkey. Beth Ooh yes, and all the roast potatoes and Brussels sprouts. Neil That's right, yes. But which of these has become a popular food to eat at Christmas time in Japan? a) turkey ramen b) fried chicken c) takeaway pizza Beth I think the answer is fried chicken. Neil Well, we'll find out at the end of the programme. Now, at Christmas, people often create family traditions that they repeat every year. Common traditions in the UK including putting out a snack for Father Christmas, that's Santa Claus, who delivers presents for children. Beth Well, here is host of BBC Radio 4's All in the Mind, Claudia Hammond, talking to psychology professor Daryl O'Connor about his Christmas traditions. Claudia Hammond Hello Daryl, I wonder whether you think nostalgia for Christmas past influences your Christmas present plans? Daryl O'Connor Well, indeed it does, Claudia. So, actually, I look back on my childhood Christmases with lots and lots of nostalgia. So, when I was a child, every single Christmas morning we would have to queue up on the stairs, and my father would go in the front room of the house, just to double check, just in case Santa Claus was still there, and then we had to wait. And then of course, I have repeated that exact same thing for my children. Claudia They line up on the stairs as well? How sweet. Dying for their presents! Neil When Claudia asks Daryl whether nostalgia influences his present-day Christmases, Daryl responds, indeed it does. This is a common conversational way to say yes, or agree with someone, we say indeed, followed by do in the present tense. Beth On Christmas morning, Daryl asks his children to queue up on the stairs so he can check for Santa Claus, just like Daryl's father did when he was small. And Claudia likes this tradition, imagining the children waiting on the stairs, dying for their presents. We use the phrase dying for informally when someone really wants something. Neil Now, when we remember Christmas from the past and feel nostalgia, we often remember things in a very positive way. But was the past definitely better? Are we remembering correctly? Beth This is what Claudia Hammond asked Catherine Loveday, who's a professor of cognitive neuroscience, on BBC Radio 4 programme, All in the Mind. Claudia Hammond How accurate are nostalgic memories? Are they accurate? Catherine Loveday Well, they're often going to be rose-tinted and made more positive of course, and that's what we do with our past generally, but it doesn't really matter. I mean, in our work, we've just shown that the function of memory is not about accuracy. It doesn't matter if some of the details are wrong, it doesn't matter how we frame it. In fact, it's actually better for us in a way to reframe our memories and to slightly adjust them to suit who we are now. Neil Catherine says that our memories are often rose-tinted. If a memory is rose-tinted, we only see the positive things about it, and don't remember any of the bad parts. Beth But, according to Catherine, it doesn't always matter. She says the function of memory is not accuracy. Function means the purpose of something. Neil In fact, Catherine says that how we frame a memory doesn't matter. Frame can be used as a verb to mean how we think of or describe something, like a memory. Beth So, our memories aren't that accurate, and it isn't that important, unless of course, we need to remember factual details about something important. Neil So, our nostalgia about Christmas memories might not be based on what things were actually like in the past, but we shouldn't worry too much! And I think it's time I revealed the answer to my quiz question, Beth. I asked what has become a traditional food to eat in Japan at Christmas time? Beth And I said fried chicken, was I right? Neil You are absolutely correct. 📝字数限制、完整文本、词汇表、翻译及pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

What is transhumanism? Most of us would consider the end of the human race as a catastrophe. There are some, however, who would not only rejoice at it, but want to hasten the day it arrives. Transhumanists look forward to a future in which Homo sapiens is superseded by a better, smarter, fitter model - humanity 2.0. Humans are in dire need of improvement. Any species that causes huge damage to our environment, can't feed itself even though it has enough food and fights countless wars costing millions of lives must surely benefit from an intelligence upgrade. Our lifespans are short, our final years usually characterised by diminishing health and vitality, often accompanied by a drop-off in cognitive capacity. One in three people born in 2015 are expected to get dementia. Is this really the best we can hope for? Transhumanists think not. Ageing could be stopped and even reversed. Enhancements could dramatically raise our IQs and make us stronger and fitter. We might even be able to leave our fragile bodies behind and upload ourselves to computers, living forever in virtual worlds. Improving humanity through science and technology could radically change us. Such a new beginning would in effect be the end of humanity as we know it. Many transhumanists see this as not only desirable but inevitable. The scientist and futurist, Ray Kurzweil, believes we are approaching what he calls "the singularity" - the point at which computers become smart enough to learn for themselves, after which they will rapidly become smarter and smarter. The future belongs to artificial intelligence. The only way for humanity to survive is to embrace it and become wholly or partially artificial ourselves. The thought of being replaced by a new form of humanity is bound to be unsettling. But transhumanists think we would be wrong to lament the end of humanity as we know it when what replaces us would be so much better. It would be like wishing children never grew up or that Homo erectus never evolved into Homo sapiens. If the transhumanists are right, we could be one of the last generations of humans to roam the planet. 词汇表 transhumanism [trænsˈhjuːmənɪzəm] n. 超人类主义（主张利用科技增强人类能力，包括智力、体能等） catastrophe [kəˈtæstrəfi] n. 灾难，灾祸 rejoice at [rɪˈdʒɔɪs] 因…而高兴，为…欣喜 hasten [ˈheɪs(ə)n] vt. 加速，加快，促进 transhumanist [trænsˈhjuːmənɪst] n. 超人类主义者 Homo sapiens [ˌhəʊməʊ ˈsæpienz] n. 智人（现代人的学名） supersede [ˌsuːpəˈsiːd] vt. 取代，替代，接替（旧事物） in dire need of [ˈdaɪə(r)] 迫切需要，急需 diminishing [dɪˈmɪnɪʃɪŋ] adj. 减弱的，衰退的 vitality [vaɪˈtæləti] n. 活力，生命力 drop-off n. 下降，下跌 cognitive capacity [ˈkɒɡnətɪv kəˈpæsəti] 认知能力 dementia [dɪˈmenʃə] n. 痴呆症 reverse [rɪˈvɜːs] vt. 逆转，翻转，彻底改变 enhancement [ɪnˈhɑːnsmənt] n. 增强，提高，改进 dramatically [drəˈmætɪkli] adv. 显著地，剧烈地 desirable [dɪˈzaɪərəb(ə)l] adj. 值得追求的，令人向往的，可取的 futurist [ˈfjuːtʃərɪst] n. 未来学家，未来主义者 singularity [ˌsɪŋɡjʊˈlærəti] n. 技术奇点（指人工智能等技术发展到超越人类智能、并能够自我持续改进的假设性时刻） unsettling [ʌnˈset(ə)lɪŋ] adj. 令人不安的，使人担忧的 lament [ləˈment] v. 哀悼，悲叹，痛惜 Homo erectus [ˌhəʊməʊ ɪˈrektəs] n. 直立人 roam [rəʊm] v. 漫游，漫步，闲逛 💡 视频、翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

How to have an eco-friendly Christmas Christmas need not be a frenzy of shopping and unwanted gifts. More and more of us want to be mindful and minimal waste consumers. So here are some tips on how to have an eco-friendly Christmas. How to have an eco-friendly tree and decorations? Real trees are more sustainable than artificial, but there is still a lot of waste. Once Christmas is over, go to recyclenow.com to find out about drop-off points in your area where old trees get turned into chipping for local parks and woodland areas. Alternatively, consider renting a real tree that is replanted once you're done. The same goes for wreaths. Real and, if you're on a budget, you can always make your own from foliage, red berries or mistletoe that you can pick up in a park or wood. For decorations, switch to LED lights, which use up to 80% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer. And if you enjoy the cosy glow of candles, then choose natural rather than paraffin-based. It's more sustainable and better for your health. For decorations themselves, be sure to reuse them each year. If you'd like to add to your collection, look for ones made from brass, glass or wood, ideally from local or independent shops. You can also make your own decorations. And if you want to add some sparkle, then choose biodegradable glitter. Check out ecoglitterfun to find some. What about gifts? When it comes to gifts, buying second-hand is a great way to help the planet. There are plenty of options. You could even set up a pre-Christmas swap shop, where you swap your unwanted things with friends, and you all end up with something new, well at least to you. Alternatively, you can offer experiences rather than gifts, like tickets to a show, or an event, or even a treatment at a spa. If you want to buy new, consider independent stores or small companies, but do check out their fair trade credentials and their carbon footprint. Also, don't forget wrapping paper. Many rolls contain non-recyclable elements like foil, glitter or plastic. Opt instead for recycled paper or just plain brown paper and cheer it up with a ribbon or a sprig of foliage. Or even wrap gifts with colourful fabric squares that can be reused again and again. What about the meal? If you're hosting for more people than you have cutlery or glasses for, you could rent or ask friends and family to bring their own. Disposable cutlery, plates and cups are often single-use plastic and end up going straight to the landfill. And once the meal is over, try composting the leftover food rather than throwing it away. Finally, you surely want to look your best, but sequins are made from PVC with no biodegradable substitutes. Choose instead sustainable materials or try clothes swapping or second-hand apps like Vinted or Swopped to find your perfect Christmas outfit. There you have it. 词汇表 frenzy [ˈfrenzi] n. 狂热，疯狂，狂欢 unwanted [ˌʌnˈwɒntɪd] adj. 不需要的，无用的，闲置的 minimal [ˈmɪnɪməl] adj. 尽可能少的，最低限度的 drop-off point 回收点，投放点 chipping [ˈtʃɪpɪŋ] n. （石或木等）碎屑 woodland [ˈwʊdlənd] n. 林地，树林，林区 alternatively [ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪvli] adv. （引出另一种选择）要不，或者，另外 wreath [riːθ] n. 花环，花冠，花圈 on a budget [ˈbʌdʒɪt] 预算有限的，手头紧 foliage [ˈfəʊliɪdʒ] n. 叶子，枝叶，树叶 mistletoe [ˈmɪs(ə)ltəʊ] n. 槲寄生 cosy [ˈkəʊzi] adj. 温暖舒适的，温馨的 paraffin [ˈpærəfɪn] n. 石蜡，煤油 brass [brɑːs] n. 黄铜，黄铜制品 sparkle [ˈspɑːk(ə)l] n. 闪光，闪烁，闪耀 biodegradable [ˌbaɪəʊdɪˈɡreɪdəb(ə)l] adj. 可生物降解的 glitter [ˈɡlɪtə(r)] n. 闪粉，亮片，闪光小饰物 swap shop [swɒp] 物品交换处，二手交换集市 spa [spɑː] n. 水疗中心，矿泉疗养地 fair trade credential [krɪˈdenʃ(ə)l] 公平贸易认证 carbon footprint [ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt] 碳足迹，碳排放量 wrapping paper [ˈræpɪŋ] （礼品）包装纸 roll [rəʊl] n. （布、纸等）一卷，卷轴，卷筒 foil [fɔɪl] n. （包裹食物的）箔，箔纸 recycled paper [ˌriːˈsaɪk(ə)ld] 再生纸，回收纸 brown paper [braʊn] 牛皮纸，棕色打包纸 cheer something up 点缀，装饰，增添趣味 ribbon [ˈrɪbən] n. 丝带，缎带，装饰带 sprig [sprɪɡ] （烹饪或装饰用）带叶小枝 fabric square [ˈfæbrɪk skweə(r)] n. 布块，方巾 cutlery [ˈkʌtləri] n. （刀、叉、勺等）餐具 disposable [dɪˈspəʊzəb(ə)l] adj. 一次性的，用后即弃的 landfill [ˈlændfɪl] n. 垃圾填埋，垃圾填埋场 composting [ˈkɒmpɒstɪŋ] n. 堆肥处理 leftover food [ˈleftəʊvə(r)] 剩菜剩饭，剩余食物 sequin [ˈsiːkwɪn] n. （衣物上的）亮片 PVC n. 聚氯乙烯（一种塑料） outfit [ˈaʊtfɪt] n. （特定场合的）全套服装，装扮，装束 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Why are Christmas films so popular? If you were to turn on your TV right now or open up Netflix, the chances of you stumbling upon a cheesy Christmas movie would be pretty high. They tend to be full of cliches, cringeworthy one-liners and predictable plots. But still, we just can't seem to get enough. Let's take a moment to delve into the psychology behind Christmas movies and how they got to be so successful. Who made the first Christmas film? It was a Brit, actually. Mormon director George Albert Smith released a short silent drama called Santa Claus in 1898, which showed Santa visiting a house on Christmas Eve. Moving into the 20th century, the history of Christmas movies reflects the evolution of Hollywood itself. In the US, they really became a genre, or even tradition, in their own right. The first wave came in the 1990s. Of course, there was the Home Alone series. The first edition generated a whopping $286 million at the box office. The year 2000 saw Jim Carrey portray the Grinch: "I must stop this Christmas from coming! Now!" While Love Actually, released three years later, became a masterpiece in the Christmas rom-com genre. In the last decade or so, Christmas films have really boomed thanks to American TV stations Hallmark and Lifetime going all in on the concept and reaping the rewards. Not to mention the rise of online streaming. The number of new Christmas movies produced each year has quadrupled since 2009. According to Entertainment Weekly, 2022 will see around 170 Christmas films, of which Hallmark and Lifetime account for 66. The formula for a magical Christmas film is pretty simple, both in terms of script writing and production. Forbes says that the budget is most often under $2 million, If they're repetitive and predictable, how come we keep coming back for more? Watching a Hallmark movie, or a Christmas movie in general, has become a kind of ritual, and the fact that there are so many new ones each year just reinforces that. Heck, even without the new ones, we're happy to tune into reruns of the classics year after year. After all, Christmas comes once a year, and these films can get us in the festive spirit. They also provide escapism and certainty. We can't control a lot of what's going on in the world, but we can enjoy the familiar structure and predictable outcome of a Christmas movie. They're family-friendly, too, which helps when members of multiple different generations are gathered together. What are the key ingredients to a good Christmas film, then? To start with, snow, of course, and lots of it. And just in general, the more holiday-themed tropes, the better. There's almost always a love story at the center of the plot, which is often an old romance being rekindled. Another safe bet is that of the Grinch or Scrooge turning gracious through the magic of the season. Many actors like Lacey Chabert and Laurie Loughlin have built up a reputation for appearing in Christmas films. Seeing a familiar face is bound to get viewers in their comfort zone. There you have it. 词汇表 stumble upon [ˈstʌmbəl] 偶然发现，碰到 cheesy [ˈtʃiːzi] adj. 俗气的，低俗的 cliché [ˈkliːʃeɪ] n. 陈词滥调，老生常谈，俗套 cringeworthy [ˈkrɪndʒˌwɜː(r)ði] adj. 令人尴尬的，令人难堪的 one-liner [ˈwʌn ˈlaɪnə(r)] n. 俏皮话，妙语，金句 predictable [prɪˈdɪktəb(ə)l] adj. 意料之中的，可预见的，老套的 delve into [delv] 深入研究，探究 Santa Claus [ˈsæntə klɔːz] 《圣诞老人》（无声短片名） genre [ˈʒɑːnrə] n. 类型，体裁 Home Alone 《小鬼当家》（电影名） whopping [ˈwɒpɪŋ] adj. 巨大的，庞大的 Grinch [ɡrɪntʃ] n. 圣诞怪杰，扫兴者（角色名，一个试图破坏圣诞节的绿色怪物） Love Actually [lʌv ˈæktʃuəli] n. 《真爱至上》（电影名） masterpiece [ˈmɑːstə(r)ˌpiːs] n. 杰作，代表作，经典之作 rom-com [ˈrɒm kɒm] n. 浪漫喜剧（romantic comedy的缩写） boom [buːm] vi. 繁荣，迅速发展 go all in 全力以赴，全力投入 reap the rewards [riːp ðə rɪˈwɔː(r)dz] 获得回报，收获成果 online streaming [ˈstriːmɪŋ] n. 在线流媒体 quadruple [ˈkwɒdrʊp(ə)l] v. 使成四倍，翻两番 formula [ˈfɔː(r)mjələ] n. 公式，配方，准则 ritual [ˈrɪtʃuəl] n. 仪式，惯例，习惯 reinforce [ˌriːɪnˈfɔː(r)s] vt. 加强，强化 tune into [ˈtjuːn] 收看，收听 rerun [ˈriːrʌn] n. 重播，重放，重映 festive spirit [ˈfestɪv] n. 节日气氛，喜庆的氛围 escapism [ɪˈskeɪpɪzəm] n. 逃避现实，解脱 family-friendly adj. 适合全家观看的，合家欢的 holiday-themed tropes [trəʊps] 节日主题元素，节日相关桥段 rekindle [ˌriːˈkɪnd(ə)l] vt. 重新点燃，使复燃 safe bet 稳妥的做法，准能赢的赌注 Scrooge [skruːdʒ] n. 吝啬鬼，守财奴（狄更斯小说《圣诞颂歌》角色） gracious [ˈɡreɪʃəs] adj. 宽厚的，仁慈的 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

What is the Living Dead Syndrome? In Tim Burton's 2004 film The Corpse Bride, groom-to-be Victor rehearses his wedding vows in the forest to calm his anxiety. However, he mistakenly slips the ring onto what he thinks is a tree branch, but is actually the finger of Emily, the corpse of a mysterious young woman in a bridal gown. Victor then finds himself immersed in the colourful and joyful world of the dead. But it is not just fairy stories or horror movies that are interested in zombies and the dead returning to the world of the living. Psychiatrists are as well. How so? Cotard's syndrome, also known as the living-dead syndrome, is named after Jules Cotard, a 19th century French neurologist who identified this disorder. Patients feel like wandering corpses, empty shells, convinced that they are on the border between life and death, often accompanied by feelings of melancholy, anxiety, ideas of damnation or rejection, denial of existence and sometimes even delusions of immortality. Immortality? Even though the patients believe they are dead? Yes. Because the patients already believe they are dead, they think they're immune to anything that could happen to them. This can lead to suicidal behaviour or putting themselves in harm's way. Others lose the perception of pain or starve themselves because they see no point in feeding a dead body. Everything loses its meaning because they no longer understand their presence in the world. In a 2009 article published in Current Psychiatry Reports, psychiatrists reported the case of a patient convinced of his death and worried about not having been buried. Another person was convinced that their brain was missing, that her intestines were gone and that her entire body was translucent. She refused to take a bath or shower because she was afraid of being soluble and disappearing down the drain. Cases of patients who do not believe in their own existence are the most extreme. But in other cases, they believe they're on the verge of death due to the destruction of their internal organs like the stomach, brain and intestines. They believe them to be rotten or disintegrating. This is what Cotard reported in the case of a 43-year-old patient who claimed to no longer have a brain, nerves, chest, stomach or bowels. All that remained was the skin on her bones. Is this syndrome common? No, it's extremely rare and is often associated with other psychiatric pathologies such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression or neurological factors such as epilepsy or frontal lobe dysfunction. Thankfully, this disorder can be treated with medication and therapy. There you have it. 词汇表 Corpse Bride [ˌkɔːps ˈbraɪd] 《僵尸新娘》（动画电影名） groom-to-be [ˌɡruːm] n. 准新郎，即将成为新郎的人 wedding vows [ˈwedɪŋ vaʊz] 婚礼誓词 slip somthing onto （轻松地）戴上，套在，穿上 bridal gown [ˈbraɪdl ɡaʊn] 婚纱，新娘礼服 be immersed in [ɪˈmɜːst] 沉浸在，深陷于 zombie [ˈzɒmbi] n. 僵尸，丧尸，行尸走肉 psychiatrist [saɪˈkaɪətrɪst] n. 精神病学家，精神科医生 Cotard's syndrome / living-dead syndrome [kəʊˈtɑːdz ˈsɪndrəʊm] 科塔尔综合征，活死人综合征（坚信自己已经死亡或身体器官不复存在的精神疾病） neurologist [njʊˈrɒlədʒɪst] n. 神经学家，神经科医生 wandering corpse [ˈwɒndərɪŋ kɔːps] 四处游荡的尸体 empty shell [ʃel] 空洞的躯壳，空壳 melancholy [ˈmelənkəli] n. 忧郁，忧伤 damnation [dæmˈneɪʃn] n. 诅咒，天谴，下地狱 delusion [dɪˈluːʒn] n. 妄想，错觉，幻想 immortality [ˌɪmɔːˈtæləti] n. 永生，不朽，不死 be immune to [ɪˈmjuːn] 对…免疫，不受…影响 suicidal [ˌsuːɪˈsaɪdl] adj. 自杀的，有自杀倾向的 intestine [ɪnˈtestɪn] n. 肠 translucent [trænzˈluːsnt] adj. 半透明的，晶莹剔透的 soluble [ˈsɒljəbl] adj. 可溶解的，易于溶解的 on the verge of [vɜːdʒ] 濒临，即将，接近于 internal organ [ɪnˈtɜːnl ˈɔːɡən] 内脏器官 disintegrate [dɪsˈɪntɪɡreɪt] vi. 分解，瓦解，碎裂 bowel [ˈbaʊəl] n. 肠（尤指人肠） psychiatric pathology [ˌsaɪkiˈætrɪk pəˈθɒlədʒi] 精神病状，精神病理学 bipolar disorder [ˌbaɪˈpəʊlə dɪsˈɔːdə(r)] 双相情感障碍，躁郁症 schizophrenia [ˌskɪtsəˈfriːniə] n. 精神分裂症 epilepsy [ˈepɪlepsi] n. 癫痫，羊痫疯 frontal lobe dysfunction [ˌfrʌntl ləʊb dɪsˈfʌŋkʃn] 额叶功能障碍 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】