时间:2018-12-24 作者:英语课 分类:Scientific American(十)月


英语课

You're trying to exercise willpower—to avoid eating that second piece of cake or buying an electronic toy you don't really need. Try firming up your muscles. Any muscles. Now you can walk away—as long as walking away is truly in line with your overall goals.


Researchers created various tests of discipline. In one test, participants got a so-called health tonic 1 of diluted 2, but unpleasant tasting vinegar. Those committed to their long term health who also tensed their calf 3 muscles were more likely to drink more of the vinegar.


In another test, subjects had to choose whether to look at disturbing images of post-earthquake Haiti as part of an effort to solicit 4 donations. Half clenched 6 their fists, half didn't. And a much larger percentage of those who clenched were able to watch the images and pledge to help.


Another test involved snack choices. Subjects who had health as a priority and who tightened 7 their fingers were more likely to choose healthful snacks than non-clenchers. The study is in the Journal of Consumer Research.


So the next time you're faced with a choice that takes self-control, clench 5 your fist or firm that bicep. Your will might firm up, too.


Thanks for the minute. For Scientific American's 60-Second Science, I'm Cynthia Graber.

 



1 tonic
n./adj.滋补品,补药,强身的,健体的
  • It will be marketed as a tonic for the elderly.这将作为老年人滋补品在市场上销售。
  • Sea air is Nature's best tonic for mind and body.海上的空气是大自然赋予的对人们身心的最佳补品。
2 diluted
无力的,冲淡的
  • The paint can be diluted with water to make a lighter shade. 这颜料可用水稀释以使色度淡一些。
  • This pesticide is diluted with water and applied directly to the fields. 这种杀虫剂用水稀释后直接施用在田里。
3 calf
n.小牛,犊,幼仔,小牛皮
  • The cow slinked its calf.那头母牛早产了一头小牛犊。
  • The calf blared for its mother.牛犊哞哞地高声叫喊找妈妈。
4 solicit
vi.勾引;乞求;vt.请求,乞求;招揽(生意)
  • Beggars are not allowed to solicit in public places.乞丐不得在公共场所乞讨。
  • We should often solicit opinions from the masses.我们应该经常征求群众意见。
5 clench
vt.捏紧(拳头等),咬紧(牙齿等),紧紧握住
  • I clenched the arms of my chair.我死死抓住椅子扶手。
  • Slowly,he released his breath through clenched teeth.他从紧咬的牙缝间慢慢地舒了口气。
6 clenched
v.紧握,抓紧,咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 )
  • He clenched his fists in anger. 他愤怒地攥紧了拳头。
  • She clenched her hands in her lap to hide their trembling. 她攥紧双手放在腿上,以掩饰其颤抖。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 tightened
收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 ); (使)变紧; (使)绷紧; 加紧
  • The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
  • His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机,然后又松开了。
标签: SSS 托福素材
学英语单词
abdominal organ
al fashn ( el fashn)
ale drinker
Anabarskoye Plato
arnoldians
assiest
Avnslev
back filling mangle
bauhinia alba buch-ham.
bill of right
bin liner
Boeza, R.
Burntfork
buyer's order
castle danger
Cayhisar
cocc-
coefficient of friction curvature
commiphora myrrhas
compile-time variable
compound hierarchy
compression of air
computer technology index
consumer mortgage credit
crawlerpulled
currently-allocated resource
Cut.
cytospora sacchari butler
DCMS
dense media process
destefani
dial speed indicator
dip of needle
dithyramb
drop publications
Edward Alexander
employee-owned enterprise
fiddlecases
flame stabilizator
fluorescence marking assay
folkard
freakin' out
gate workfunction
geekin'
ground-litter
hadj
hall effect power meter
heli-coil
hydroxacetic acid
hyposialadenitis
Ilex rotunda
indigned
John R.
Karbate
key player
klepsydra
light-dues
linked sequential file
lube oil cooler for diesel engine
Luizym
mammal families
master manipulator
mean stream velocity
mercury vapor lamp
misrecollections
mitres
molecular-beam apparatus
monotone decision procedure
montale
noun cluster
nurseys
off street
orthopantomograph
per capita energy consumption
perforated grill
piscine tuberculosis
polish agent
ponsford
pulse-coded processing system
pulverized burner
ratio analysis method
red bream
reinflict
resorcin monomethyl ether
reticuloendothelial systems
rubber
sadel
saussurea costuss
simultaneous mode
snake-rail fences
subcompact cars
surprinting
swolo
tilted steel
tuboresistometry
Uam-ri
unbitting
unvaluable
value of simulation
wears thin
Xavin
Ziphron