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
-istic,-istical
...and all that jazz
Acoz
air portable
allophane-chrysocolla
Angetrom
benzene distilling apparatus
bowstowre
box-in
breaksea pt.
buthalital sodium
car conveyor
ceside
Chichihualco
chief economic manager
Château-Chinon
citoyens
clulow
consumably melted
continuationist
conveyor-belts
Crus helicis
cryptocentrus yatsui
daisy wheel printers
damping collar
dascyllus reticulatus
dexiomiops crassipes
diode accumulator circuit
dogpile
draw-bar pin
facial tic
figures case
file pocket
flat double guides
Flatulex
foam cock
glutenous flour
gnaw away at sth
Gopher client
grinder with dust collector
hedge pink
Hong Kong Institute of Bankers
honga
horizontally oriented thin section
horse-mill
hyoglossal membranes
hypersonic heating
in-place oil
intercensals
isopolynuclear coordination compound
kestral
knarl
Kohlrausch's muscle
kristiansson
kufasa
low tension current
lube oil settling tank
Marsh Hill
membrane potential
mercantile agency
mesenchymocyte
mining environment
mirror finishing
mourning cloak
muizenberg
multi-file
myristicol
nano-lumens
nayword
necklace poplars
Nephelium L.
network operation
new tanker
nicky-tams
pair of galaxies
Patterson peak
piao
PISM
pressure barrier
presymbiosis
pseudocercospora cassiae-occidentalis
pseudodextrocardia
psilephydra cyanoprosopa
psychotridine
quique
ratio testing
rotini
secure routine
Siger De Brabant
Straits Settlements
sweetsops
syncaryson
tartar steaks
taxiway holding-post lights
teaey
Tell me another!
the Bahamas
thiopectic
to hit the road
veneer drier
wedge constant
wire-saw