【一起听英语】什么样的自行车运动员更具有吸引力
英语课
罗伯和芬在讨论的是速度更快的自行车运动员具有更大的魅力吗？
Rob: Hello, welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm Rob.
Finn: And I'm Finn. Hi Rob.
Rob: It's that time of the year for the famous Tour de France cycle race and today
we're discussing research that says successful cyclists are seen as more
handsome than their struggling colleagues.
Finn: Yes, we're talking about professional cyclists – people who get paid for taking
part in cycle races. Not something you'd find me doing!
Rob: Nor me. Although I do enjoy cycling for fun – as a hobby and as a work-out
to keep fit. And I believe you bought a bike once Finn?
Finn: You're right, I did – I was hoping to ride into work every day to save money
and, like you, to keep fit. But, sadly, I got a flat tyre and have never been on
it since.
Rob: Oh dear. Well, this new research will make you feel even more deflated 1 – or
sad and disappointed – and I'll tell you why soon. We'll also explain some
vocabulary related 2 to keeping fit. But first let's start with a question.
Finn: A very fine idea, Rob.
Rob: This is about the Tour de France, which this year starts in the UK. The first
stage begins in the city of Leeds but do you know how long the first stage is?
Is it:
a) 151 km
b) 191 km
c) 221 km
Finn: I'll say 151, a).
Rob: Well, we'll find out if you're right or wrong later on. One thing we do know is
the winner of this first stage will be the most attractive man in the race –
that's if we believe this research.
Finn: Yes, this is the research published in the Royal Society journal 3, Biology
Letters.
6 Minute English ©British Broadcasting Corporation 4 2014
Page 2 of 4
bbclearningenglish.com
Rob: That's right. Women were asked to rate – or score – facial attractiveness
among riders in the 2012 Tour de France, which was won by Britain's Bradley
Wiggins.
Finn: Yes, a man known for his distinctive 5 sideburns, that's the hair on the side of
his cheeks! And, being a world-class cyclist, he does of course have a lean
body – one without any fat.
Rob: Like me?!
Finn: No, not at all like you, or me!
Rob: Now, Dr Erik Postma, from the Institute of Evolutionary 6 Biology at the
University of Zurich, who carried out the test, found the 10% best riders
were considered, on average, to be 25% more attractive than the worst
10%.
Finn: OK, I see. So this would suggest that healthy, physically 7 fit and successful
men would, on average, be seen as more attractive by women. So, not really
very good news for us is it Rob?
Rob: No. Other studies have also shown that women fancy 8 – or are attracted to –
men with good sporting skills. Well, this study hasn't just looked at physical
skills, but more essential and basic characteristics such as stamina 9 and
endurance 10.
Finn: Yes. Stamina is the ability to keep going over a long period of time without
getting tired. And endurance is the ability to do something that's hard, or
difficult, also for a long period of time. Now, these are important things in a
long-distance cycle race.
Rob: Yes, they are. But going back to the research, in total 800 women were
asked to score attractiveness – how the cyclists looked – not just stamina or
endurance. And, as we mentioned…
Finn: …the best cyclists were seen as more attractive. So the man who was voted
the most attractive, did he win the Tour de France in 2012?
Rob: No, you mean Bradley Wiggins, he wasn't included in the research. It was
actually French rider Amael Moinard who came top – perhaps not the fastest
competitor but still much fitter than we'll ever be. I don't know what it is
about his looks, and nor does Dr Postma, but scientists conclude that humans
have evolved 11 to recognise athletic 12 performance in faces.
Finn: Well, I'm not a woman but I can see that all the men who take part in a race
like the Tour de France are fit and healthy and tough.
Rob: Well, your feelings are pretty normal. The researchers also found that men
who took part had a fairly similar view on who was handsome as the women
did. I think it's just jealousy 13!
Finn: Maybe, I think so.
6 Minute English ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2014
Page 3 of 4
bbclearningenglish.com
Rob: But one thing that didn't make much difference was smiling. It was rated as
likeable but not attractive.
Finn: So, you're saying I should wipe the smile off my face and get on my bike for
a bit of training?
Rob: Well, before you pedal 14 off, let's reveal 15 the answer to today's question. Earlier
I said the first stage of the Tour de France begins in the city of Leeds but do
you know how long the first stage is?
Finn: I had no idea, and I said a) 151 km.
Rob: You'd be cheating because the answer is actually 191 km.
Finn: Oh yeah, taking a shortcut 16.
Rob: Yes. There are a total of 21 stages, covering a distance of 3,656 kilometres.
And it all finishes in Paris on July 27th. Now, before we go, Finn, could you
remind us of some of the vocabulary that we've heard today?
Finn: Yes, today we heard:
handsome
work-out
deflated
sideburns
lean
fancy
stamina
endurance
jealousy
Rob: Well, that brings us to the end of today's 6 Minute English. We hope you’ve
enjoyed today’s programme. Please join us again soon. Bye.
Finn: Bye.
Rob: Hello, welcome to 6 Minute English. I'm Rob.
Finn: And I'm Finn. Hi Rob.
Rob: It's that time of the year for the famous Tour de France cycle race and today
we're discussing research that says successful cyclists are seen as more
handsome than their struggling colleagues.
Finn: Yes, we're talking about professional cyclists – people who get paid for taking
part in cycle races. Not something you'd find me doing!
Rob: Nor me. Although I do enjoy cycling for fun – as a hobby and as a work-out
to keep fit. And I believe you bought a bike once Finn?
Finn: You're right, I did – I was hoping to ride into work every day to save money
and, like you, to keep fit. But, sadly, I got a flat tyre and have never been on
it since.
Rob: Oh dear. Well, this new research will make you feel even more deflated 1 – or
sad and disappointed – and I'll tell you why soon. We'll also explain some
vocabulary related 2 to keeping fit. But first let's start with a question.
Finn: A very fine idea, Rob.
Rob: This is about the Tour de France, which this year starts in the UK. The first
stage begins in the city of Leeds but do you know how long the first stage is?
Is it:
a) 151 km
b) 191 km
c) 221 km
Finn: I'll say 151, a).
Rob: Well, we'll find out if you're right or wrong later on. One thing we do know is
the winner of this first stage will be the most attractive man in the race –
that's if we believe this research.
Finn: Yes, this is the research published in the Royal Society journal 3, Biology
Letters.
6 Minute English ©British Broadcasting Corporation 4 2014
Page 2 of 4
bbclearningenglish.com
Rob: That's right. Women were asked to rate – or score – facial attractiveness
among riders in the 2012 Tour de France, which was won by Britain's Bradley
Wiggins.
Finn: Yes, a man known for his distinctive 5 sideburns, that's the hair on the side of
his cheeks! And, being a world-class cyclist, he does of course have a lean
body – one without any fat.
Rob: Like me?!
Finn: No, not at all like you, or me!
Rob: Now, Dr Erik Postma, from the Institute of Evolutionary 6 Biology at the
University of Zurich, who carried out the test, found the 10% best riders
were considered, on average, to be 25% more attractive than the worst
10%.
Finn: OK, I see. So this would suggest that healthy, physically 7 fit and successful
men would, on average, be seen as more attractive by women. So, not really
very good news for us is it Rob?
Rob: No. Other studies have also shown that women fancy 8 – or are attracted to –
men with good sporting skills. Well, this study hasn't just looked at physical
skills, but more essential and basic characteristics such as stamina 9 and
endurance 10.
Finn: Yes. Stamina is the ability to keep going over a long period of time without
getting tired. And endurance is the ability to do something that's hard, or
difficult, also for a long period of time. Now, these are important things in a
long-distance cycle race.
Rob: Yes, they are. But going back to the research, in total 800 women were
asked to score attractiveness – how the cyclists looked – not just stamina or
endurance. And, as we mentioned…
Finn: …the best cyclists were seen as more attractive. So the man who was voted
the most attractive, did he win the Tour de France in 2012?
Rob: No, you mean Bradley Wiggins, he wasn't included in the research. It was
actually French rider Amael Moinard who came top – perhaps not the fastest
competitor but still much fitter than we'll ever be. I don't know what it is
about his looks, and nor does Dr Postma, but scientists conclude that humans
have evolved 11 to recognise athletic 12 performance in faces.
Finn: Well, I'm not a woman but I can see that all the men who take part in a race
like the Tour de France are fit and healthy and tough.
Rob: Well, your feelings are pretty normal. The researchers also found that men
who took part had a fairly similar view on who was handsome as the women
did. I think it's just jealousy 13!
Finn: Maybe, I think so.
6 Minute English ©British Broadcasting Corporation 2014
Page 3 of 4
bbclearningenglish.com
Rob: But one thing that didn't make much difference was smiling. It was rated as
likeable but not attractive.
Finn: So, you're saying I should wipe the smile off my face and get on my bike for
a bit of training?
Rob: Well, before you pedal 14 off, let's reveal 15 the answer to today's question. Earlier
I said the first stage of the Tour de France begins in the city of Leeds but do
you know how long the first stage is?
Finn: I had no idea, and I said a) 151 km.
Rob: You'd be cheating because the answer is actually 191 km.
Finn: Oh yeah, taking a shortcut 16.
Rob: Yes. There are a total of 21 stages, covering a distance of 3,656 kilometres.
And it all finishes in Paris on July 27th. Now, before we go, Finn, could you
remind us of some of the vocabulary that we've heard today?
Finn: Yes, today we heard:
handsome
work-out
deflated
sideburns
lean
fancy
stamina
endurance
jealousy
Rob: Well, that brings us to the end of today's 6 Minute English. We hope you’ve
enjoyed today’s programme. Please join us again soon. Bye.
Finn: Bye.
adj. 灰心丧气的
- I was quite deflated by her lack of interest in my suggestions.他对我的建议兴趣不大，令我感到十分气馁。
- He was deflated by the news.这消息令他泄气。
adj.有关系的，有关联的，叙述的，讲述的
- I am not related to him in any way.我和他无任何关系。
- We spent days going through all related reference material.我们花了好多天功夫查阅所有有关的参考资料。
n.日志，日记；议事录；日记帐；杂志，定期刊物
- He kept a journal during his visit to Japan.他在访问日本期间坚持记日记。
- He got a job as editor of a trade journal.他找到了一份当商业杂志编辑的工作。
n.公司，企业&n.社团，团体
- The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation. 这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
- The inflation did the corporation up. 通货膨胀使这个公司破产了。
adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的
- She has a very distinctive way of walking.她走路的样子与别人很不相同。
- This bird has several distinctive features.这个鸟具有几种突出的特征。
adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的
- Life has its own evolutionary process.生命有其自身的进化过程。
- These are fascinating questions to be resolved by the evolutionary studies of plants.这些十分吸引人的问题将在研究植物进化过程中得以解决。
adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律
- He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
- Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。
n.想像力，幻想；喜好，爱；adj.想像的，时髦的，华丽装饰的，奢侈的；技巧的；vt.想象，自认为，喜好
- He seemed to have taken quite a fancy to her.他似乎相当喜欢她。
- I have a fancy that it's going to rain.我想大概要下雨。
n.体力；精力；耐力
- I lacked the stamina to run the whole length of the race.我没有跑完全程的耐力。
- Giving up smoking had a magical effect on his stamina.戒烟神奇地增强了他的体力。
n.耐久力，忍耐力，耐久的时期，持续的时间
- She reached the end of endurance.她到了忍受的极限。
- The exercise obviously will improve strength and endurance.这种锻炼会明显改善体力增加耐力。
动词evolve的过去式和过去分词
- The idea evolved from a drawing I discovered in the attic. 这种想法是从我在阁楼里发现的一幅画得到启发的。
- Man was evolved from an ancestor that was probably arboreal. 人大概是从住在树上的祖先进化而来的。
adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的
- This area has been marked off for athletic practice.这块地方被划出来供体育训练之用。
- He is an athletic star.他是一个运动明星。
n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌
- Some women have a disposition to jealousy.有些女人生性爱妒忌。
- I can't support your jealousy any longer.我再也无法忍受你的嫉妒了。
n.踏板；adj.脚的，踏脚的；v.用脚踏动，踩踏板
- He pressed down the accelerator pedal of his car.他踩下汽车的加速器踏板。
- I saw him pedal to school every morning.我看到他每天早晨骑自行车上学。
vt.揭露，泄露；展现，显示
- The journalist did not want to reveal the identity of his informant.那个新闻工作者不想透露消息提供人的身份。
- Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes.它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。