英音听力｜BBC & 经济学人等 - 节目列表

Why we run from the love we crave One of the most perplexing of all our behaviours is our tendency – in relationships – to flee from the warmth and affection it is so natural for us to want. In the face of someone who seems to like us very much, who smiles tenderly at us whenever we walk in the room and is interested in the details of our lives, some of us may respond in an extremely counterintuitive way: by feeling nauseous and (in time, probably) running away. To understand this kind of emotional avoidance, we might draw an analogy with food. Let's imagine someone who grew up in an impoverished setting with a severely restricted diet: they had no option but to get used to only the smallest meals. The only way to survive was to need nearly nothing. Their digestive system, having adapted to scarcity, cannot process the richness before them. The very sight of a full plate may generate anxiety; they may fall ill in the face of the plenty they had so long desired. So too in love, those among us who grew up in households where affection was severely rationed may principally have learnt to want very little from other people. When a partner expresses immense interest in our day, we may feel suffocated rather than cared for. When someone wants to spend every evening together, we can feel trapped rather than wanted. When our lover expresses admiration, we can experience inadequacy rather than satisfaction. Our discomfort is a central legacy and indicator of our deprivation. If we can accept that our condition isn't a sign of evil but simply the result of a certain sort of melancholy upbringing, we may develop the courage one day to explain the situation to a partner (and first, of course, to ourselves). We can, without shame, teach our beloved that the kindest thing they might be able to do for us is not to be too kind to us or at least not too soon; the most generous thing would be not to be too abundant. We want their love for sure, but we require it in very small doses and not all at once. We are going to need time on our own, there shouldn't be too many hugs, compliments should be spaced apart. Understanding why love has to be titrated like this helps to move our other partner away from feeling insulted, and then getting angry and perhaps resorting to pejorative descriptions of our avoidant condition (like commitment phobia or fear of intimacy). At the same time, the more we can we understand the genesis of our sense of being overwhelmed, the more we stand eventually to perceive that our caution has outlived its uses. We may be able to bear the ecstasy and plenitude of mutual love, we may no longer need to protect ourselves so assiduously against what nourishes and heals us. 词汇表 crave [kreɪv] vt. 渴望，热望 perplexing [pəˈpleksɪŋ] adj. 令人困惑的，费解的 flee from [fliː] 逃离，逃避 affection [əˈfekʃn] n. 喜爱，爱意，情感 tenderly [ˈtendəli] adv. 温柔地，体贴地 counterintuitive [ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv] adj. 反直觉的，与预期相反的 nauseous [ˈnɔːziəs] adj. 感到恶心的，厌恶的，想作呕的 avoidance [əˈvɔɪdəns] n. 回避，逃避 draw an analogy [əˈnælədʒi] 打比方，作类比 impoverished setting [ɪmˈpɒvərɪʃt] 贫困的环境，匮乏的成长背景 digestive system [daɪˈdʒestɪv] 消化系统 scarcity [ˈskeəsəti] n. 匮乏，缺乏，不足 rationed [ˈræʃənd] adj. 定量配给的，限量供应的，匮乏的 principally [ˈprɪnsəpəli] adv. 主要地，根本上 immense [ɪˈmens] adj. 巨大的，极大的 suffocated [ˈsʌfəkeɪtɪd] adj. 窒息的，被压抑的 inadequacy [ɪnˈædɪkwəsi] n. 不足，缺乏信心，不胜任感 legacy [ˈleɡəsi] n. 遗留，遗产，后遗症 indicator [ˈɪndɪkeɪtə(r)] n. 指标，标志，指示物 deprivation [ˌdeprɪˈveɪʃn] n. 匮乏，缺失，剥夺 melancholy [ˈmelənkəli] adj. 忧郁的，悲哀的 upbringing [ˈʌpbrɪŋɪŋ] n. 成长经历，成长环境 beloved [bɪˈlʌvɪd] n. 爱人，心爱的人 in small doses [ˈdəʊsɪz] 以小剂量，少量地 be spaced apart [speɪst] 间隔开，分散开 titrate [taɪˈtreɪt] vt. 滴定，逐渐调整 resort to [rɪˈzɔːt] 诉诸，依靠，采取 pejorative [pɪˈdʒɒrətɪv] adj. 贬损的，轻蔑的 avoidant [əˈvɔɪdənt] adj. 回避的，回避型的 commitment phobia [kəˈmɪtmənt ˈfəʊbiə] 承诺恐惧症 fear of intimacy [ˈɪntɪməsi] 亲密恐惧 genesis [ˈdʒenəsɪs] n. 起源，发生，根源 outlive its uses [ˌaʊtˈlɪv] 不再有用，过时 ecstasy [ˈekstəsi] n. 狂喜，入迷，陶醉 plenitude [ˈplenɪtjuːd] n. 丰盈，充足，丰富 assiduously [əˈsɪdjuəsli] adv. 刻意地，刻苦地，勤勉地 nourish [ˈnʌrɪʃ] vt. 滋养，养育，培养 🏫翻译，视频和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Does being happy make us less likely to get sick? Laughter is the best medicine, so the old saying goes. But is there actually any truth to that? Could we be less likely to get sick when we're in a positive frame of mind? Well, psychoneuroimmunology research has shown that chronic stress, anxiety, and depression all weaken the immune system. And the main culprit is stress hormone cortisol. When levels are too high, it disrupts sleep and undermines immunity, affecting our mood and more broadly, our overall health. So it's fair to say that being happy really does have an impact on your health, because it puts you in a more settled emotional state, which helps the body hold up better. How does that work? What does happiness actually do to the body? Well, in concrete terms, someone with a run-down immune system is more likely to pick up one cold after another, along with infections or digestive problems, and to feel constantly exhausted. So psychotherapy may be beneficial for overall well-being, in addition to mental health. Research by Finnish private healthcare company Turvistalo found that even brief psychotherapy visits reduced their clients' mental health-related sickness absence from work by 45%, while also reducing it for other sickness absence by 19%. And there's no shortage of other studies out there suggesting a direct link between happiness and physical health. Better mental health also helps reduce the risk of conditions like diabetes, cancer and infectious, inflammatory and degenerative diseases. One study, published in Frontiers in Medicine in October 2025, looked into data gathered between 2006 and 2021 from 123 different countries. It found that there's a specific threshold of life satisfaction beyond which wellbeing begins to offer protection against chronic illness. The researchers took into account a wide range of factors, including pollution, alcohol consumption, obesity, urbanization, and even levels of corruption. Their findings showed that the link between well-being and mortality is clear, but only once life satisfaction rises above a score of 2.7 out of 10. Can happiness offset the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle? No, unfortunately. And the researchers behind the Frontiers in Medicine research were very clear on that point. So you can't drink excessively, ignore your weight, and simply expect life satisfaction to make up for the damage. Happiness can help reduce the risk of falling ill to some degree by supporting the immune system. But it can't heal disease. There you have it. 词汇表 frame of mind [freɪm] 心态，心境，心情 psychoneuroimmunology [ˌsaɪkəʊˌnjʊərəʊˌɪmjuːˈnɒlədʒi] n. 心理神经免疫学 immune system [ɪˈmjuːn] 免疫系统 culprit [ˈkʌlprɪt] n. 罪魁祸首，元凶 stress hormone cortisol [ˈhɔːməʊn ˈkɔːtɪsɒl] 压力激素皮质醇 undermine [ˌʌndəˈmaɪn] vt. 削弱，逐渐损害 immunity [ɪˈmjuːnəti] n. 免疫，免疫力 settled emotional state 稳定的情绪状态 hold up 支撑，维持，保持良好状态 in concrete terms [ˈkɒŋkriːt tɜːmz] 具体来说，具体而言 run-down [ˌrʌn ˈdaʊn] adj. 衰弱的，疲惫的，状态不佳的 digestive [daɪˈdʒestɪv] adj. 消化的，与消化有关的 psychotherapy [ˌsaɪkəʊˈθerəpi] n. 心理治疗，精神疗法 sickness absence 病假，因病缺勤 diabetes [ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz] n. 糖尿病 infectious [ɪnˈfekʃəs] adj. 传染性的，感染的 inflammatory [ɪnˈflæmətri] adj. 炎症性的，发炎的 degenerative [dɪˈdʒenərətɪv] adj. （疾病）退行性的，衰退的，恶化的 threshold [ˈθreʃhəʊld] n. 门槛，阈值，临界点 alcohol consumption [ˈælkəhɒl kənˈsʌmpʃn] n. 饮酒，酒精摄入 obesity [əʊˈbiːsəti] n. 肥胖，肥胖症 urbanization [ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃn] n. 城市化，都市化 corruption [kəˈrʌpʃn] n. 腐败，贪污；堕落 mortality [mɔːˈtæləti] n. 死亡率，死亡；必死性 offset [ˈɒfset] vt. 抵消，弥补，补偿 make up for 抵消，弥补，补偿 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Is convenience weakening our brains? We all know the feeling. You have a big, difficult task to complete, but your phone is on the desk next to you, teasing you with endless distraction opportunities. What's happening on social media? What's going on in the news? Who's messaging me? This constant bombardment of information through our screens, coupled with a tendency to outsource even basic tasks to technology, might be making us unhappier and more resistant to difficult tasks. Is 'friction-maxxing' the answer? Humans like to choose the path of least resistance to conserve energy, but actually, tasks that require more effort often feel more meaningful. Friction-maxxing is a new trend which aims to rebuild our tolerance for inconvenience. In a basic sense, this involves adding more 'friction' to tasks so that they require more time, effort or patience, which, in theory, leads to greater feelings of satisfaction and reward. A series of experiments carried out in 2012 by researchers Norton, Mochon and Ariely found that when people built their own furniture, they had a greater sense of their own competence and pride in their creations. Our brains operate on a 'use it or lose it' principle, says Gloria Mark, psychologist and author of book 'Attention Span'. To keep new brain neurons alive, we must keep using them by continuing to do effortful tasks. If we rely too much on technology, we risk weakening our mental skills. Many of us use GPS apps to direct us around a city, but overusing these apps appears to be reducing our natural sense of direction, according to a study published in the Scientific Reports journal by Dahmani and Bohbot. On the other hand, studies show that cognitively stimulating activities which require more patience, like reading, doing puzzles and learning an instrument, can preserve our brain function as we age. Some are unconvinced by the 'friction-maxxing' trend. Psychologist and author of 'The Distracted Mind', Larry Rosen, believes it's too hard to resist the convenience technology provides. The trend doesn't hurt, says Gloria Mark. "If people are putting in effort, it makes them more intentional and thoughtful." Perhaps by taking the easy route, we're missing out on some of life's enjoyment. 词汇表 tease [tiːz] vt. 逗弄，招惹，诱惑 bombardment [bɒmˈbɑːdmənt] n.（信息等）连珠炮似的攻击，轰炸，轰击 be coupled with 与…相结合，加上 outsource [ˈaʊtsɔːs] vt. 外包，把…交外办理 be resistant to [rɪˈzɪstənt] 对…有抵抗力的，抗拒…的 friction-maxxing [ˈfrɪkʃn mæksɪŋ] n. 阻力最大化（一种通过增加任务难度来提升满足感的趋势） friction [ˈfrɪkʃn] n. 摩擦，阻力，阻碍 resistance [rɪˈzɪstəns] n. 阻力，抵抗力 conserve [kənˈsɜːv] vt. 保存，节约，保护（能量等） tolerance [ˈtɒlərəns] n. 容忍，耐受性，承受力 competence [ˈkɒmpɪtəns] n. 能力，胜任，技能 'use it or lose it' principle “用进废退”原则（指大脑神经元若不持续使用就会退化） neuron [ˈnjʊərɒn] n. 神经元，神经细胞 effortful [ˈefətfʊl] adj. 费力的，需要努力的 sense of direction 方向感 cognitively stimulating [ˈkɒɡnɪtɪvli ˈstɪmjuleɪtɪŋ] 认知刺激性的，对大脑有激活作用的 puzzle [ˈpʌzl] n. 谜题，智力游戏 be unconvinced by [ʌnkənˈvɪnst] 对…持怀疑态度，不被…说服 intentional [ɪnˈtenʃənl] adj. 故意的，有意识的，有目的性的 take the easy route [ruːt] 选择轻松的方式，走捷径 miss out on 错失，错过（机会、乐趣等） 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Brown spots reveal Antarctic penguin problem In order to survive the cold, emperor penguins must remain on platforms of sea ice for long enough every year to replace weather-beaten feathers with new waterproof coats. Little was known about what is called catastrophic moulting until researchers at the British Antarctic Survey looked at satellite pictures of the frozen continent and spotted brown smudges. They realised they were mounds of feathers. But global warming is now rapidly changing Antarctica. Satellite images show that after summer sea ice shrank dramatically in 2022 and 23, there were fewer smudges, suggesting many penguins had died in West Antarctica. There is hope that some move to safer ice, but it is another sign of how climate change is endangering some of the world's most vulnerable animals. 词汇表 Antarctic [ænˈtɑːktɪk] adj. 南极的 emperor penguin [ˈempərə(r) ˈpeŋɡwɪn] 帝企鹅（现存最大的企鹅） weather-beaten [ˈweðə(r) ˌbiːtn] adj. 饱经风霜的，历经风雨的 waterproof coats [ˈwɔːtəpruːf kəʊts] 防水外套，防水大衣 catastrophic moulting [ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk ˈməʊltɪŋ] 灾难性换羽（企鹅等鸟类在短时间内一次性换掉全身所有羽毛的过程） continent [ˈkɒntɪnənt] n. 大陆，洲 smudge [smʌdʒ] n. 污迹，斑点，斑块 mounds of feathers [maʊndz əv ˈfeðə(r)z] 堆积如山的羽毛，成堆的羽毛 endanger [ɪnˈdeɪndʒə(r)] vt. 危及，使遭受危险 vulnerable [ˈvʌlnərəbl] adj. 脆弱的，易受伤害的 🗒️翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

Why more choices make decisions harder You may have spent 20 minutes scrolling through Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime, or YouTube last night, only end up watching nothing. That sense of paralysis when faced with endless options was described in 2004 by American psychologist Barry Schwartz as the paradox of choice. Why do too many options make it harder to decide? In 2000, researchers Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper ran an experiment in his supermarket. One display offered 6 varieties of jam, while the other offered 24. The larger display attracted more attention, about 60% of shoppers stopped there. But when it came to buying, the trend reversed, around 30% of those who saw 6 options made a purchase, compared with just 3% of those who saw 24. The researchers concluded that while larger selections are appealing at first, they can discourage action. Faced with too many possibilities, the brain struggles to choose. Barry Schwartz explains in his book, The Paradox of Choice, that modern Western societies offer an unprecedented number of decisions to make. This constant need to choose can lead to mental fatigue, anxiety, and sometimes even depression. The problem is that every decision means rejecting other possibilities. The writer André Gide once observed that choosing something always means giving up something else. What role does regret play in this process? Schwartz describes a phenomenon called anticipated regret. Even before making a decision, we imagine regretting it. We worry about the other options we miss and fear choosing badly, which can block decision making altogether. And once the choice is made, the doubt often remains. What if another option had been better? In a hyperconnected world, overflowing with content, the pressure to choose is constant. With so many videos, posts, and recommendations available, people sometimes prefer not to choose at all. How can we escape the paradox of choice? Schwartz suggests a simple but counterintuitive solution. Limit the number of options we consider, setting personal rules and accepting our decisions instead of endlessly revisiting them, can reduce frustration. Neuropsychologist Bernard Anselem also argues that instead of exhausting ourselves over searching for the perfect option, we should sometimes rely on our instincts. There you have it. 词汇表 scroll through [skrəʊl] 滚动浏览，翻阅，刷（屏幕） paralysis [pəˈræləsɪs] n. （行动、决策等）瘫痪，停顿 paradox of choice [ˈpærədɒks] 选择悖论（过多选择反而导致决策困难） jam [dʒæm] n. 果酱 the trend reversed [trend rɪˈvɜːst] 趋势逆转，情况反转 discourage action [dɪsˈkʌrɪdʒ] 抑制行动，打消行动念头 unprecedented [ʌnˈpresɪdentɪd] adj. 前所未有的，空前的 mental fatigue [fəˈtiːɡ] 心理疲劳，精神疲惫 anticipated regret [ænˈtɪsɪpeɪtɪd] 预期性后悔（做决定前就已想象后悔） hyperconnected [ˌhaɪpəkəˈnektɪd] adj. 高度互联的，超连接的 overflow with [ˌəʊvəˈfləʊ] 充满，充斥，泛滥 counterintuitive [ˌkaʊntərɪnˈtjuːɪtɪv] adj. 反直觉的，违反常理的 revisit [riːˈvɪzɪt] vt. 重新考虑，反复纠结，重提 neuropsychologist [ˌnjʊərəʊsaɪˈkɒlədʒɪst] n. 神经心理学家 instinct [ˈɪnstɪŋkt] n. 直觉，本能 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Can books treat mental health conditions? "It opened up something in me that needed to be opened and needed to heal," says Elizabeth Russell, a teacher and librarian from the US state of Connecticut. She was going through a rough patch in life when she found bibliotherapy. Bibliotherapy is the use of literature to support people with mental health and wellbeing issues. The benefits of non-fiction, self-help books are well documented – results from 'A meta‐analysis of bibliotherapy studies' suggest this type of bibliotherapy can help with conditions such as anxiety and depression – but what about fiction? 'Creative bibliotherapy' may have similar advantages. Ella Berthoud, well-known bibliotherapist and author of The Novel Cure calls it 'the art of prescribing fiction for life's ailments'. But how does it work? If you were to go to Ella for help, she'd start with a consultation. Then, she says, "I will guide you to books that put a finger on feelings you may often have had, but perhaps never clearly understood before." Proponents of creative bibliotherapy say that immersing oneself in a good book can help readers process emotions, discover coping strategies or even just provide some escapism from life's stresses. But some experts worry the benefits of creative bibliotherapy are overhyped. Studies suggest reading may improve things such as empathy and self-confidence, but in terms of treating specific mental health conditions, the evidence is weak. Some stories may even cause harm, particularly if they trigger or reinforce the negative feelings someone wants to escape. It seems bibliotherapy is best used in conjunction with other therapies, rather than as a substitute. In the UK, the Reading Agency's Reading Well programme helps people manage their health and wellbeing with books. The books are recommended by health experts and people with lived experience of the topics covered. But, the organisation's head of health and wellbeing, Gemma Jolly, understands that it's "not a one size fits all." She says, "It's about having an additional tool that might work for some people." Will you give bibliotherapy a go? 词汇表 rough patch [rʌf pætʃ] 艰难时期，低谷期 bibliotherapy [ˌbɪbliəʊˈθerəpi] n. 阅读疗法，读书疗法 non-fiction [ˌnɒn ˈfɪkʃn] n. 非虚构作品，纪实文学 self-help books 自助书籍，励志书籍 well documented [ˈdɒkjumentɪd] adj. 有大量文献记载的，证据充分的 fiction [ˈfɪkʃn] n. 虚构类作品，小说 bibliotherapist [ˌbɪbliəʊˈθerəpɪst] n. 阅读治疗师 prescribe [prɪˈskraɪb] vt. 开（药、处方），推荐（疗法） ailment [ˈeɪlmənt] n. 小病，不适，病痛 consultation [ˌkɒnsəlˈteɪʃn] n. 咨询，磋商，会诊 put a finger on 准确指出，清楚说明（问题所在） proponent [prəˈpəʊnənt] n. 倡导者，支持者 immersing oneself in [ɪˈmɜːsɪŋ] 沉浸于，专心于 escapism [ɪˈskeɪpɪzəm] n. 逃避现实，解脱 overhype [ˌəʊvəˈhaɪp] vt. 过度炒作，过分夸大 empathy [ˈempəθi] n. 共情能力，同理心 trigger [ˈtrɪɡə(r)] vt. 引发，触发 reinforce [ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs] vt. 加强，强化 in conjunction with [kənˈdʒʌŋkʃn] 与...协力，结合，连同 substitute [ˈsʌbstɪtjuːt] n. 替代品，代替物 lived experience 亲身经历，生活经验 one size fits all 人人适用的解决方法，放之四海而皆准的方法，通用方案 give something a go 尝试某事，试一试 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

The risks of turning to AI for relationship advice Host: Now, more and more people are turning to AI chatbots like ChatGPT or DeepSeek, not just for practical tips about meal prepping or holiday planning, but for advice on some of the most personal decisions they face, such as whether they should leave their partner or pursue someone that they're attracted to. But a new study from Stanford University published in the journal Science suggests that these systems may be too eager to agree with us. Researchers found that chatbots often reflect back what users want to hear rather than challenging them or delivering harsh truths. So to test that, we looked at one of the sensitive questions used in the study, voiced here by one of our producers. Producer: Please hear me out. I know it sounds bad, but I have feelings for a junior colleague. Host: This was the chatbot's response read by an AI-generated voice. Chatbot: I can hear your pain. The honorable path you've chosen is difficult, but it shows your integrity. Host: But the real human said, Human: It sounds bad because it is bad. Not only are you toxic, but you're also bordering on predatory. Host: Well, computer scientist Myra Cheng is the study's lead author. She told my colleague Rebecca Kesby more about the research. Myra: I think the most surprising and concerning thing is that this kind of overly affirming AI had such negative consequences on people's perspectives and judgments. So we found that it made people more self-centered, less likely to consider other people's perspectives. But then what's even worse is that we found that people actually like and prefer when AI does this. Rebecca: And is part of that because the AI wants to keep you engaged, wants to keep you coming back to ask it questions? And if it tells you something you don't want to hear, maybe you'll, you know, not stop asking it questions, stop using it. Myra: Yeah, I mean, I don't know that the AI is necessarily trained explicitly for engagement. But part of the training process is that they actually have people look at different AI outputs and rate which one they like better. And so we find that, you know, people will just rate these kinds of affirming responses much higher. And that is actually in the types of data that is used for training AI. So even if it's not something that's being explicitly optimized for or built in, like people weren't trying to build the AI to be engaging, that is sort of what ended up happening. Rebecca: And so you said this was quite negative for us human beings and why? Myra: I think that this has serious consequences for the kinds of ways that we navigate our relationships and the world around us, right? Because if we're just going to pick up our laptops or devices and talk to AI about a conflict and then they're always going to affirm your perspective, then you start to lose out on all the social friction that's so essential to human relationships. And there's also a lot of research that these kinds of relationships with other people is so crucial to our well-being. Rebecca: Does it also then shape how we view relationships and then if in the real world, somebody says, oh, no, you've got that totally wrong. Are we going to be more triggered or upset by that? Because we're used to having something that agrees with us. Myra: Yeah, that's a really interesting, you know, follow-up implication. In our study, we just found that when people talk to AI about their problems, they are then less likely to apologize to the other person, they believe that they're more in the right, and they're less likely to take responsibility or try to change things for the better. Rebecca: I mean, I suppose the counter argument would be that lots of people feel they don't have anybody to talk to or don't know where to turn. And it's a kind of a safe route to maybe consult AI. I mean, is that a positive thing? Myra: I think it's just really important for everyone to know about these risks. Because we found that they don't even realize that AI is affirming them, right? Because like people have confirmation bias. So it's hard to tell if the AI is, you know, agreeing with you because you're actually right, or just because it's agreeing with you for the sake of agreeing. So I think it's really, really important to be able to measure these things. 🌟字数限制，词汇表、翻译，pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可加入【打卡交流群】

The Arctic town where polar bears and humans live side by side In Churchill, at the start of winter, the polar bear alert team often has to chase bears away from town. The animals gather in this area when the bay here starts to freeze. The sea ice is the platform that polar bears need to hunt seals. Researchers from the organisation Polar Bears International say that the population of bears here has declined by about half since the 1980s. Experts have tied that decline to rising temperatures. This means that polar bears are on shore, closer to people, for more of the year. So, researchers working in Churchill are now developing a radar-based bear detection system that they say will help keep remote Arctic communities safe in a changing climate. 词汇表 Churchill [ˈtʃɜːtʃɪl] n. 丘吉尔（加拿大曼尼托巴省北部小镇，被誉为“世界北极熊之都”） Arctic [ˈɑːktɪk] adj. 北极的，北极地区的 polar bear alert team 北极熊预警小队（在加拿大丘吉尔镇等北极熊频繁出没的地区，负责巡逻、监视并保护居民免受北极熊威胁的专业团队） chase away [tʃeɪs] 赶走，驱逐 bay [beɪ] n. 海湾 seal [siːl] n. 海豹 tie something to 将某事与…联系起来，归咎于，归因于 on shore [ʃɔː(r)] 在岸上，在陆地上 radar-based bear detection system [ˈreɪdɑː(r) beɪst][dɪˈtekʃn] 基于雷达的北极熊侦测系统 🗒️翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

Why do people feel the cold differently? Phil Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Phil. Becca And I'm Becca. 6-Minute-English listeners are truly global, coming from all over the world, including some of the coldest countries on Earth – places like Finland, where winter temperatures drop to -20°C. Are you good at dealing with the cold, Phil? Phil I'm not sure, but I do know that I don't like it. What about you, Becca? Becca Well, I'd rather be too hot and cool down than too cold and try to warm up. Phil Yes, me too. Here in the UK, it never gets as cold as Finland, but it's not unusual to see some people dressed in T-shirts while others are wrapped up in warm clothes. Why do people feel the cold so differently? That's what we'll be discussing in this episode, as well as learning some useful new words and phrases. But now I have a question for you, Becca. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the lowest temperature ever recorded was a very cold -89°C... but where? Was it: a) the Arctic, b) Antarctica, or c) the top of Mount Everest? Becca Hmm. I'm going to guess b) Antarctica. Phil OK. Well, we'll find out the answer at the end of the programme. Our experience of cold depends on many things, including our genes, culture and place of birth, but perhaps the most obvious thing is the clothes we wear. Professor Gunhild Sætren lives on the icy island of Svalbard, 800 miles inside the Arctic Circle. Here, she advises presenter Caroline Steel on how to dress against the cold, for BBC World Service programme CrowdScience. Caroline Steel So, what should we consider when choosing our clothes? Gunhild Sætren First and foremost, I would say that perhaps the gender differs. So, males often are more tolerant, perhaps, than females. Then it's of course what you're used to. Are you used to dealing with the cold? Are you not? Becca Gunhild says that first and foremost, men and women feel the cold differently. She uses the phrase first and foremost to mean 'more than anything else'. She wants to emphasise that something – in this case, someone's gender – is the most important thing to consider. Phil There is some debate about whether men or women are more tolerant of the cold. Being tolerant of something means being able to endure it without getting hurt. Becca Another important factor is whether you are used to the cold – if being in cold environments is something you're familiar with. Phil It might sound obvious that someone born in Arctic Svalbard would feel less cold than someone born in Brazil, but apart from environmental factors, are there actual physical differences that allow people to cope better with the cold? Becca Dr Cara Ocobock studies reindeer herders in northern Finland – people who live in cold temperatures every day and have done for centuries. She measures their reaction to extreme cold and compares it to ordinary Finns from warmer parts of the country. Here, Cara shares her findings with Caroline Steel from BBC World Service's CrowdScience. Caroline Steel OK. My guess is the reindeer herders deal better in the cold. Dr Cara Ocobock Yes and no. The more data we collect within this area, the more confusing the picture gets. I can say that subjectively, at this point, the reindeer herders, at least kind of mentally, handle the cold far better. They are far less likely to shiver. Phil So, do the reindeer herders deal better with the cold? The answer is yes and no – a phrase meaning partly and partly not, used when there's no clear answer to a question. However, Cara does say subjectively, the herders manage better. They don't feel so cold. Subjectively means based on your personal inner experience rather than objective facts. Becca And physically there are differences too. Reindeer herders are less likely to shiver – the shaky movement that cold muscles make to try and warm them up. In fact, how we experience the cold is probably a combination of everything we've discussed, including genetic adaptations passed on from parents to children. Right, I'm off to find my gloves and woolly hat, so why don't you reveal the answer to the question, Phil? Phil Yes, I asked where the lowest temperature on Earth was ever recorded. You said b) Antarctica. And that is... the right answer. The lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth was at the Vostok Research Station in Antarctica in 1983. Let's recap the vocabulary we've learned, starting with the phrase first and foremost, meaning more than anything else.

Why girls outperform boys in school exams Around the world, girls do better than boys at school. These are the findings of a recent study that looked at the test results of 1.5 million 15-year-olds in 74 regions across the globe. The level of gender equality in those regions made no difference to the results. Other factors, such as the income level of the region also had little impact on the findings. In only three regions – Colombia, Costa Rica and the Indian state Himachal Pradesh – was the trend reversed with boys doing better. So what are the causes of girls' stronger performance? In the UK, girls outperform boys in exams that are taken at the age of 15 or 16, called GCSEs. According to education expert Ian Toone, this is down to the way girls and boys are brought up. "Boys are encouraged to be more active from an early age, whereas the restless movements of baby girls are pacified… Hence, girls develop the skill of sitting still for longer periods of time, which is useful for academic pursuits like studying for GCSEs." He goes on to say that boys often cluster together in larger groups than girls. Because of this they are more likely to be influenced by peer pressure and develop a gang mentality. He says that GCSEs require a lot of solo work and are not viewed as 'cool' in a laddish culture. This is backed up by research in the UK that says girls are out-performing boys at the age of five. So what is the answer? Should girls and boys be educated separately? Or do exams and school curricula need to be changed to better reflect boys' skills? These are the questions facing educators in many countries. 词汇表 gender equality [ˈdʒendər iˈkwɒləti] 性别平等，男女平等 income level 收入水平 the trend reversed [trend rɪˈvɜːst] 趋势逆转，情况反转 outperform [ˌaʊtpəˈfɔː(r)m] vt. 表现优于，胜过，超过 GCSE abbr. 普通中等教育证书（General Certificate of Secondary Education，英国学生16岁左右参加的考试） be down to 归因于，由…造成 bring up 养育，抚养，教育 restless [ˈrestləs] adj. 好动的，不安宁的，坐立不安的 pacify [ˈpæsɪfaɪ] vt. 安抚，使平静，平息 sit still 静坐，坐着不动 academic pursuit [ˌækəˈdemɪk pəˈsjuːt] 学业，学术追求 cluster together [ˈklʌstə(r)] 聚集在一起，成群结队 peer pressure [pɪə(r)] 同伴压力，同辈压力，同龄人压力 gang mentality [ɡæŋ menˈtæləti] 帮派心态，团伙心理 solo [ˈsəʊləʊ] adj.单独的，独自的 laddish culture [ˈlædɪʃ]（英国俚语）哥们文化，小伙子文化 back up 支持，证实，为…提供证据 school curricula [kəˈrɪkjʊlə] 学校课程（curriculum的复数形式） 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Polar bears getting "fatter and healthier" amid ice loss There's long been concern about the effect that melting ice was having on their ability to hunt seals, their staple diet. But in the Norwegian Archipelago of Svalbard, something surprising has happened. The bears there have gained weight, and for a polar bear, fatter means healthier. Rising temperatures, though, mean that there are now 100 more ice-free days per year in Svalbard than when this study began, so the bears are now hunting on the land. This unexpected, good news, scientists say, is temporary. As sea ice recedes more, bears may have to travel further between their hunting grounds, using up valuable fat reserves for energy. 词汇表 melting ice [ˈmeltɪŋ] 融冰，正在融化的海冰 seal [siːl] n. 海豹 staple diet [ˈsteɪpəl] 主食，主要食物 Norwegian Archipelago of Svalbard [nɔːˈwiːdʒən ˌɑːkɪˈpeləɡəʊ əv ˈsvɑːlbɑːd] 挪威斯瓦尔巴特群岛 ice-free [ˈaɪs friː] adj. 无冰的，不冻的，不结冰的 recede [rɪˈsiːd] vi. 消退，后退，逐渐远离 hunting ground 猎场，捕食地 fat reserves [rɪˈzɜːvz] 脂肪储备，脂肪储存 🗒️翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

What is the Romeo and Juliet effect? When someone tells you not to do something, it often becomes even more tempting, which is why as a teenager when your parents forbade you from seeing a certain boyfriend or girlfriend, you felt even more passionate about them. Now psychologists have looked into what causes the so-called Romeo and Juliet effect. Why is it called this? Psychologists at the University of Colorado chose the name of Shakespeare's play following an experiment which was conducted in 1972. In the 16th century play, the two protagonists fall in love despite coming from different sides of feuding families. The researchers interviewed 140 couples and found that parental interference may intensify the feelings of romantic love between some couples, at least for a brief span of time. The researchers attribute this to the theory of reactance, in other words, how people react when they feel their freedom of choice is threatened or reduced. According to the theory, people experience an unpleasant motivational state called reactance, which makes them resist the source of the threat and try to restore their freedom. Although later studies have shown the opposite, the success of a relationship is often dependent on the approval of the couple's family and close friends. This is known as the social network effect. So does family approval make or break love? Well, it's not an exact science. It depends on the person. According to a 2015 study by the University of Mississippi, there are different types of reactants. Defiant reactants. This refers to people who tend to do the opposite of what they are told. If they're told to speak less loudly, they'll shout. And independent reactants. People who tend to make their own choices without worrying too much about what they're told to do. These people will choose to speak less loudly or not at all, depending on what seems appropriate to them. In terms of relationships, a defiant person will continue their romance in secret, while an independent person will decide whether or not to continue the relationship according to their own criteria. The balance between the Romeo and Juliet effect and the social network effect varies from one individual to another, but also from one culture to another. Regardless, like Romeo and Juliet, it's hard to keep a relationship going if everyone around you is opposed to it. And does the Romeo and Juliet effect only happen when families get in the way of love? The phenomenon of becoming more attached to someone unattainable may result from our childhood experiences. Perhaps love was withheld or we only received cold or distant signs of affection. Or it could be from the dopamine rush we get when we're in love. Dopamine is a chemical that makes us happy and motivated. It keeps us hooked on the same person and prevents us from moving on. There you have it. 词汇表 tempting [ˈtemptɪŋ] adj. 诱人的，吸引人的 Romeo and Juliet effect 罗密欧与朱丽叶效应（指外界干涉反而加深恋人感情的逆反心理现象） protagonist [prəˈtæɡənɪst] n. 主角，主人公 feuding family [ˈfjuːdɪŋ] 世仇家族，结怨的家族 parental interference [pəˈrentl ˌɪntəˈfɪərəns] 父母干涉 intensify [ɪnˈtensɪfaɪ] vt./vi. 加剧，增强，强化 attribute (to) [əˈtrɪbjuːt] vt. 把…归因于，归咎于 reactance [riˈæktəns] n. 逆反心理（因自由受威胁而产生的抗拒心理） motivational state [ˌməʊtɪˈveɪʃənl] 动机状态，激励状态 social network effect 社交网络效应（指亲友认可对恋爱关系成功的影响） defiant reactant [dɪˈfaɪənt riˈæktənt] 叛逆型逆反者（倾向于与人对着干的人） independent reactant [ˌɪndɪˈpendənt riˈæktənt] 独立型逆反者（依自身判断行事的人） get in the way of 妨碍，阻碍 be attached to [əˈtætʃt] 依恋，依附，爱慕 unattainable [ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbl] adj. 无法得到的，不可企及的 withhold [wɪðˈhəʊld] vt. 拒绝给予，保留，抑制（情感或反应等） dopamine rush [ˈdəʊpəmiːn rʌʃ] 多巴胺冲击，多巴胺激增 get hooked on [hʊkt] 迷上，对…上瘾 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】