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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
NB: This is not a word-for-word transcript1 6 Minute English ?British Broadcasting Corporation2 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 deflated3 - or sad and disappointed - and I'll tell you why soon. We'll also explain some vocabulary related4 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.
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 distinctive6 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 Evolutionary7 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, physically8 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 fancy9 - 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 stamina10 and endurance11.
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 evolved12 to recognise athletic13 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 jealousy14!
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 pedal15 off, let's reveal16 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.
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.
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| n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书 | |
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corporation
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| n.公司，企业&n.社团，团体 | |
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deflated
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| adj. 灰心丧气的 | |
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related
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| adj.有关系的，有关联的，叙述的，讲述的 | |
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journal
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| n.日志，日记；议事录；日记帐；杂志，定期刊物 | |
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distinctive
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| adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的 | |
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evolutionary
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| adj.进化的；演化的，演变的；[生]进化论的 | |
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physically
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| adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律 | |
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fancy
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| 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 | |
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stamina
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| n.体力；精力；耐力 | |
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endurance
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| n.耐久力，忍耐力，耐久的时期，持续的时间 | |
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evolved
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| 动词evolve的过去式和过去分词 | |
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athletic
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| adj.擅长运动的，强健的；活跃的，体格健壮的 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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pedal
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| n.踏板；adj.脚的，踏脚的；v.用脚踏动，踩踏板 | |
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reveal
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| vt.揭露，泄露；展现，显示 | |
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shortcut
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| n.近路，捷径 | |
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