Love Drug

BBC Learning English
6 Minute English
Love Drug
Yvonne: Hi, this is ‘6 Minute English’ with Yvonne Archer¹ and joining me today is
Callum Robertson. Hello Callum!
Callum: Hello Yvonne.
Yvonne: Thanks for joining me. Now today, we'll hear a report about some research
which might help to explain some of the mysteries （奥秘）of love - such as why we
fall in love. But first, I've a question for you – as usual. Are you ready?
Callum: Oh yes!
Yvonne: Good. In 1991, Minnie Munro became the world's oldest bride aged² 102. But
how old was her groom³ – the man she married? Was he:
a) 97
b) 80 or
c) 83
Callum: This is just going to have to be a guess; she's 102 - I'll say he was 97.
Yvonne: OK – we'll find out later on whether you're right or wrong later on.
Larry Young is a professor of neuroscience – that's the study of the structure of
the nervous system, how it works and the diseases that can cause it problems.
Professor Young, based at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in the United
States, used prairie voles to find out why people fall in love. But what are
'prairie voles' Callum?
Callum: Well, a 'vole' is a very small animal which looks like a mouse but it has smaller
ears and a short tail. And 'voles' usually live in fields near rivers but the ones
from Professor Young's study live on 'the prairies' - large areas of flat, grassy
land in North America. So they're known as 'prairie voles'.
Yvonne: Okay. Now for some scientific language. What is meant by 'surges of
chemical'?
Callum: A 'surge' in something is a sudden, great increase in it - so 'surges of chemical'
are large, sudden increases in the amounts of a chemical.
Yvonne: And finally, what is 'a compound' in terms of chemistry?
Callum: Well that's a substance – something that contains more than one element. So if
there are two or more chemicals in a substance（物质）, it's 'a compound' substance.
Yvonne: Thanks, Callum. Now it's time to hear that report from the BBC's Science
Correspondent, Pallab Ghosh. As we listen, try to find out why Professor
Young decided⁴ to study prairie voles to help with his research.
PALLAB GHOSH
His studies on prairie voles which like humans, form lifelong relationships, has led him to
believe that this most powerful of human emotions is governed by surges of chemicals,
including a compound called oxytocin.
Yvonne: So Professor Young believes that the love we feel is 'governed' or caused by
great and sudden increases in the amount of oxytocin in us – a chemical. But
why did Professor Young study prairie voles to help with his research, Callum?
Callum: Well, because they're like human beings in their relationships. They stay with
the same partner（合作伙伴） throughout their lives, so they form 'lifelong' relationships –
just like married people.
Yvonne: Ahh…
Now in the next part of today's report, we'll hear how Professor Young
believes that there's a possibility that the chemical oxytocin could also be used
in two other ways. Firstly, 'an antidote⁵' for the broken hearted. Unfortunately,
most of know what that means, but what is meant by 'an antidote', Callum?
Callum: 'An antidote' is usually a drug or a chemical which lessens⁶ or reverses the bad
effects of something or stops something bad from happening to us. For
example, the antidote to a snake bite could stop someone dying from the
snake's poison. And an antidote for the broken hearted could help those people
feel less tearful and sad.
Yvonne: We'll also hear how Professor Young believes that a 'genetic⁷ love test' could
also be developed 'to determine' – to find out - who has 'a pre-disposition to a
happy married life'. Callum, in a nutshell – what's meant by that?
Callum: Well, a genetic love test would basically tell us who was born with the
qualities and personality that people really need to be a great husband or wife!
Yvonne: Hmm – so an antidote for the broken hearted - plus a love test to find out who's
really suited to marriage. But who would use a genetic love test?
PALLAB GHOSH
Professor Young believes it would equally be possible to develop an antidote to love for the
heartbroken and he says there's even the prospect⁸ of a genetic love test where matchmaking
agencies would attempt to determine a person's pre-disposition to a happy married life.
Yvonne: So Callum, who does Professor Young think would use the genetic love test?
Callum: Matchmaking agencies – companies that charge people money to help them
find their perfect partner - a husband or a wife.
Yvonne: Hmph! Well, I certainly look forward to any further developments with interest!
But now, today's big question! In 1991, Minnie Munro became the world's
oldest bride at age 102. But how hold was her groom? And what was your
answer, Callum?
Callum: Well, I had a guess at 97.
Yvonne: Eeee… He was actually 83.
Callum: Oh right, so nearly twenty years' difference!
Yvonne: And Minnie may have found her man a little sooner if a genetic love test had
been available, don't you think?
Callum: Ummm - possibly!
Yvonne: Anyway, that's all we've got time for on today's "6 Minute English". Do join
BBC Learning English again for more!
C/Y: Goodbye!(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 archer   

n.射手，弓箭手

参考例句：

• The archer strung his bow and aimed an arrow at the target.弓箭手拉紧弓弦将箭瞄准靶子。
• The archer's shot was a perfect bull's-eye.射手的那一箭正中靶心。

2 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

3 groom   

vt.给（马、狗等）梳毛，照料，使...整洁

参考例句：

• His father was a groom.他父亲曾是个马夫。
• George was already being groomed for the top job.为承担这份高级工作，乔治已在接受专门的培训。

4 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

5 antidote   

n.解毒药，解毒剂

参考例句：

• There is no known antidote for this poison.这种毒药没有解药。
• Chinese physicians used it as an antidote for snake poison.中医师用它来解蛇毒。

6 lessens   

变少( lessen的第三人称单数 )； 减少（某事物）

参考例句：

• Eating a good diet significantly lessens the risk of heart disease. 良好的饮食习惯能大大减少患心脏病的机率。
• Alcohol lessens resistance to diseases. 含有酒精的饮料会减弱对疾病的抵抗力。

7 genetic   

adj.遗传的，遗传学的

参考例句：

• It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
• Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。

8 prospect   

n.前景，前途；景色，视野

参考例句：

• This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。
• The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。