最快骑自行车的人是最有吸引力吗

 　　NB: This is not a word-for-word transcript 1 6 Minute English ?British Broadcasting Corporation 2 2014 Page 1 of 4 bbclearningenglish.com 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 3 - or sad and disappointed - and I'll tell you why soon. We'll also explain some vocabulary related 4 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 5, Biology Letters.
　　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 6 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 7 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 8 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 9 - 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 10 and endurance 11.
　　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 12 to recognise athletic 13 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 14!
　　Finn: Maybe, I think so.
　　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 15 off, let's reveal 16 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 17.
　　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.




点击收听单词发音  






1
transcript

  
 


n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书


参考例句：





A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。












2
corporation

  
 


n.公司，企业&n.社团，团体


参考例句：





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。












3
deflated

  
 


adj. 灰心丧气的


参考例句：





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。












4
related

  
 


adj.有关系的，有关联的，叙述的，讲述的


参考例句：





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。












5
journal

  
 


n.日志，日记；议事录；日记帐；杂志，定期刊物


参考例句：





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。












6
distinctive

  
 


adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的


参考例句：





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。












7
evolutionary

  
 


adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的


参考例句：





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。












8
physically

  
 


adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律


参考例句：





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。












9
fancy

  
 


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


参考例句：





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。












10
stamina

  
 


n.体力；精力；耐力


参考例句：





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。












11
endurance

  
 


n.耐久力，忍耐力，耐久的时期，持续的时间


参考例句：





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。












12
evolved

  
 


动词evolve的过去式和过去分词


参考例句：





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。












13
athletic

  
 


adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的


参考例句：





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。












14
jealousy

  
 


n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌


参考例句：





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。












15
pedal

  
 


n.踏板；adj.脚的，踏脚的；v.用脚踏动，踩踏板


参考例句：





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。












16
reveal

  
 


vt.揭露，泄露；展现，显示


参考例句：





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。












17
shortcut

  
 


n.近路，捷径


参考例句：





He was always looking for a shortcut to fame and fortune.他总是在找成名发财的捷径。
If you take the shortcut,it will be two li closer.走抄道去要近2里路。