Why 'dopamine websites' are taking off around the world Host: Now, many of us have probably made a few impulse buys on the internet over the years and immediately regretted it. So how about getting the excitement of buying something without spending any money? You can, it seems, thanks to so-called dopamine websites. They took off in South Korea some time ago, but now they can be accessed around the world. So what are these popular fake experience websites and how do they work? Celia Hatton asked our reporter, Ira Khan. Ira: These sites mimic the ritual of buying something without you actually paying for it. There's fake delivery sites, fake shopping sites. You can even get a fake holiday. For example, one of the sites is called Food Never Comes in India. What you do, you open the site. There's a real-life menu with actual prices. You even get a call from the delivery driver telling you when he's outside. And it's actually an AI generated delivery driver. The creators of this site say it's attracted almost 3 million visitors since June. It's trying to basically mimic the ritual that we enjoy from shopping, the satisfaction and the rush we get off to replace an order without us actually having to pay for it. How many times have you ordered something at night when you get the sort of delivery notification? You're like, did I really even want that? Celia: That's very true. So Ira, we've just gone through the process here. It took just a couple of seconds. Do these websites really work on a bigger scale? Ira: What these websites are basically suggesting is when we want to go on a holiday or we want to order food, we're not actually craving the thing itself. We're mostly craving the rush that comes with it. You want to still experience that dopamine hit, which has become sort of a constant now in life without the downside, which is actually paying a lot of money. Although we aren't spending money right now buying these products, the websites themselves, they're making money through the ads that they put on their websites. they're also sharing data about consumer spending and what products are doing well with people. 词汇表 impulse buys [ˈɪmpʌls] 冲动购买，即兴购买的东西 dopamine websites [ˈdəʊpəmiːn] 多巴胺网站（通过模拟购物等行为带来快感但无需花钱的网站） take off 迅速流行，突然走红 mimic [ˈmɪmɪk] vt. 模仿，惯例 ritual [ˈrɪtʃuəl] n. 仪式，惯例 delivery driver 配送员，快递员，送货司机 rush [rʌʃ] n. 快感，兴奋感，一阵强烈的情绪 crave [kreɪv] vt. 渴望，极度想要 dopamine hit [ˈdəʊpəmiːn] 多巴胺刺激，多巴胺带来的快感 downside [ˈdaʊnsaɪd] n. 缺点，不利的一面，负面影响 🌟翻译，pdf及更多文本内容见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可加入【打卡交流群】

Do we really need friends to be happy? Throughout our lives, we meet new people at school, at work, or through our hobbies, some remain acquaintances, while others become close friends. Now, maintaining those relationships isn't always easy, but evidence has shown just how important having friends can be, given that loneliness can affect both our happiness and health. What role do friends play in our happiness levels then? One important study to consider is the Harvard study of adult development, it was launched nearly a century ago in 1938, and it's one of the world's longest running studies of adult life. Research has followed 100s of people to investigate what contributes to a happy and healthy life. One of their clearest findings was that the quality of our relationships matters. People who were more satisfied with their relationships at 50 tended to be healthier at 80. Relationship satisfaction was even a better predictor of later physical health than their cholesterol levels in middle age Of course, that doesn't mean friendship guarantees happiness or good health, and the original participants represented a relatively narrow section of American society. Nevertheless, the central finding is supported by wider international research. The wild health organization says social connection can help protect our health, persistent loneliness and isolation by contrast, or associated with depression, anxiety, heart disease, cognitive decline, and premature death. Does that mean we need lots of friends? Not necessarily. There's no magic number. Some people enjoy a large social circle, while others prefer a few close relationships. What matters is whether we feel supported and have someone we can rely on. That person could be a friend, relative, partner, or another trusted figure. Casual connections can help too. Psychologists use the term weak ties to describe acquaintances, colleagues, neighbors, and other people we see occasionally. Now, despite the term weak, research suggests these interactions actually make a strong contribution to happiness and belonging. A brief chat with a colleague or somebody in a local shop may seem insignificant, but it can absolutely help us feel connected to the community. It's also important to distinguish between being alone and feeling lonely. Some people actually enjoy solitude, and on the other hand, it's totally possible to feel lonely, even when surrounded by people. You could say that loneliness is the gap between the connection we have and the connection we want. 词汇表 acquaintance [əˈkweɪntəns] n. 熟人，泛泛之交 predictor [prɪˈdɪktə(r)] n. 预测指标，预示物 cholesterol levels [kəˈlestərɒl ˈlev(ə)lz] 胆固醇水平 premature death [ˈpremətʃə(r)] 过早死亡，早逝 magic number 神奇数字，理想数字 social circle 社交圈 casual connections 泛泛之交，非正式联系 weak ties 弱联系（指熟人、同事等不亲密的人际关系） solitude [ˈsɒlɪtjuːd] n. 独处，独居 gap [ɡæp] n. 差距，缺口，间隔 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Daydreaming: a distraction or a vehicle for ideas? Daydreaming has a bad reputation – we say things like "he's away with the fairies" or "she has her head in the clouds" implying these people are inattentive, easily distracted, maybe even lazy. Is this reputation justified? Or is a trip to la-la land actually something that might benefit us? First, it's important to differentiate daydreaming from mind wandering. Mind wandering happens when you're busy with a task and your mind disengages from it, whereas daydreaming happens when you're doing nothing and spontaneous thoughts unrelated to your surroundings pop up. In a review of research called 'The costs and benefits of mind-wandering', the authors found mind wandering negatively impacted reading comprehension, attention, memory and intelligence. None of that sounds great, so are there any benefits at all? Activities that allow your mind to wander, like having a bath or meditating can lead to the 'aha' moment that you've been waiting for, which is why people often say they have their best ideas in the shower. This might work in the workplace too. In a 2021 study called 'Zoning out or breaking through? Linking daydreaming to creativity in the workplace', the authors concluded that "daydreaming carries noteworthy benefits for creativity". In other words, daydreaming at work may help you to come up with solutions to your problems. It's also suggested that daydreaming can provide a sort of mental escape, both from the difficulty of the task, but also from the stresses of everyday life. So, it seems daydreaming might be a bit of a double-edged sword, and the extent to which it provides benefits rather than downsides depends on things like how positive the thoughts are as well as your ability to identify and control them. If you find yourself endlessly staring into space, pondering the meaning of life while you're trying to get things done, why not try a mindfulness technique? Observe the thoughts as they pop up, visualise them as clouds and watch them pass by. Alternatively, when you've got some time to yourself, instead of reading a book or listening to music, why not let yourself get lost in thought? 词汇表 daydreaming [ˈdeɪˌdriːmɪŋ] n. 白日梦，做白日梦 be away with the fairies [ˈfeərɪz] 神游天外，精神恍惚 ，心不在焉 have one's head in the clouds 想入非非，心不在焉 inattentive [ˌɪnəˈtentɪv] adj. 注意力不集中的，不专心的 la-la land 幻想世界，虚幻之境 mind wandering 走神，思绪漫游 disengage [ˌdɪsɪnˈɡeɪdʒ] vi. 脱离，摆脱 spontaneous [spɒnˈteɪniəs] adj. 自发的，自然产生的 pop up 突然出现，冒出来，浮现 'aha' moment [ˈɑːhɑː] 顿悟时刻，恍然大悟的瞬间 zone out [zəʊn] 走神，发呆 noteworthy [ˈnəʊtwɜːði] adj. 值得注意的，显著的 double-edged sword [ˌdʌbl edʒd sɔːd] 双刃剑 downside [ˈdaʊnsaɪd] n. 缺点，不利方面 stare into space 发呆，出神，呆呆地望着前方 ponder [ˈpɒndə(r)] vt. 思索，考虑，沉思 mindfulness [ˈmaɪndfəlnəs] n. 正念，专注当下 visualise [ˈvɪʒuəlaɪz] vt. 想象，使形象化 alternatively [ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪvli] adv. 或者，作为替代 lost in thought 陷入沉思，沉浸在思绪中 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Is rejection good for us? Georgie So Neil, today we're talking about rejection. So, rejection means saying no to someone or refusing to accept their idea or suggestion. Neil, how do you feel about rejection? Neil Well, nobody likes rejection. But I think as you get older, you get used to it. And probably it's quite a good thing to experience rejection, even if it doesn't feel nice. Georgie Yeah, I agree. We can't always get what we want, can we? Neil We can't, no. In this podcast, we'll be learning about a new internet trend called rejection therapy and how people are using it to help them to be more confident. OK. Let's start with our quiz question, Georgie. Lots of famous people have faced rejection in their lives before they became successful, but which of these things did not happen to the animator Walt Disney before he became successful? Was it: a) he lost his job as an artist, b) his first business ran out of money, or c) his first full-length film was a failure? Georgie I've got no idea, but I'm going to go with a) he lost his job as an artist. Neil OK. Well, we'll find out the answer at the end of the programme. Georgie OK Neil. So, most people don't like being rejected, but one thing to try might be something called rejection therapy. It's a social media trend where people record themselves talking to strangers and sometimes being rejected. Neil OK. That sounds quite interesting, but let's find out how it works in practice. Hannah Gelbart, host of the BBC World Service podcast What in the World, had a go at the trend. Let's see how she got on. Hannah Gelbart Hey, can I come sit down at your table? Stranger Yeah. Hannah Gelbart Hey, how's it going? Stranger Good, thank you. Hannah Gelbart How's your day gone? Good afternoon. How are you doing? Can I drive your cab? Can I? Can I get behind the wheel? Cab Driver Don't be silly! Hannah Gelbart Don't be silly...! Coming somewhere else to try and face my fears... maybe do a bit of shopping. I was wondering, can I have a nap in one of these beds? Can I just try it out? Wow – I didn't expect that one to be a yes! Georgie Well, it seems like people were pretty nice to Hannah in those examples. Neil Yes. And she talks with psychologist Claudia Hammond about how she felt during the experiment. Hannah Gelbart And actually, walking up to the first person, I felt my adrenaline really, really spiking. I'm not a socially anxious person – I think I'm really confident. But that first thing really scared me. And once I'd done one, the second one came easier and the third one came even easier. And you know, by the fourth time I didn't even mind it whether they said yes or no. Georgie Hannah says that when she walked up to the first stranger in the video, she felt her adrenaline spiking. If something spikes, it increases sharply. Neil Hannah is not generally a socially anxious person. Someone who is socially anxious is nervous or worried about speaking to other people. Georgie Each time Hannah tried to speak to a new person, she says, it came easier. Come easier is an informal way to say something is easier to achieve. Neil Now, this social media trend is called rejection therapy, but it's not a proper form of therapy. It hasn't been tested. Georgie And there are some criticisms of the videos because they involve filming your interactions with strangers, which people might not want. Neil But people who post the videos say they boost their confidence. So, why do people want to ask for rejection? Georgie Psychologist Claudia Hammond has some ideas, which she shared with Hannah on the BBC World Service podcast What in the World. Claudia Hammond What we do know is that there is an increase in perfectionism. People are more worried now, younger people, about how other people are judging them. And so, I wonder whether that might make people more shy of speaking to strangers – worried that the people will, you know, not appraise them in a good way, and so doing something like this to try to counter that might feel like a positive step to people, that they're trying to do something. Also, they're fun to watch. Neil Claudia says there's an increase in perfectionism among young people. Perfectionism is the feeling that everything you do needs to be perfect. Georgie Young people are also worried about how people will appraise them, which means judge them. Neil Deliberately looking for rejection might be an extreme way to become more confident, but it can lead to surprising discoveries. Georgie Yes, and Hannah found that most strangers she spoke to were friendly and happy to help, so she didn't really experience rejection much at all. Neil OK. Georgie, I think it's time now for the answer to my quiz question. I asked you which rejection Walt Disney didn't experience before becoming successful? Georgie Yes, and I went for a) I don't think he lost his job as an artist. Neil Well, actually, the answer was c) his first full-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, was not a failure. It was a huge success. Georgie Wow! That was his first film? That's really impressive. Neil It is. Georgie OK. Let's recap the vocabulary we learned in this programme, starting with rejection, which means saying no or refusing an idea or suggestion. Neil The verb spike means increase suddenly. Georgie Someone who is socially anxious is nervous or worried about speaking to other people. Neil If something comes easier, it's easier to achieve. Georgie Perfectionism is the feeling that everything you do needs to be perfect. Neil And if you appraise someone, you judge them. 词汇表 rejection [rɪˈdʒekʃn] n. 拒绝，拒绝接受 spike [spaɪk] vi. 急剧增加，飙升 socially anxious 社交焦虑的，对社交感到紧张的 come easier 更容易做到，更容易实现 perfectionism [pəˈfekʃənɪzəm] n. 完美主义 appraise [əˈpreɪz] vt. 评价，评估 rejection therapy 拒绝疗法（一种通过主动寻求拒绝来锻炼心理承受能力的做法） animator [ˈænɪmeɪtə(r)] n. 动画师；动画制作人 full-length film 长篇电影，长片 get behind the wheel 坐到驾驶座，开车 adrenaline [əˈdrenəlɪn] n. 肾上腺素 counter [ˈkaʊntə(r)] vt. 对抗，反驳，抵制 📝 翻译及pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

Cooking and mental health 'We are what we eat' – or so the saying goes. From calorie-inducing meals to low-fat lunches, much of our health depends on what we eat. We know about the benefits of eating properly for our physical wellbeing, but food – and cooking it – is proving to be good for our mental wellbeing as well. Some people are now advocating the therapeutic value of cooking food. It's not just about the end result but the experience someone goes through. Dr Mark Salter, a consultant psychiatrist, told the BBC: "Baking and cooking are good occupational therapies that help patients develop planning skills, short-term memory and social skills – all of which suffer in mental illness." TV chef and author Nadiya Hussain agrees that cooking is great for helping our mind. She loves to bake and became the champion of the TV show, The Great British Bake Off. She says that "Baking's always been about therapy... It's never really been about the cake." And she thinks that baking is an important tool for our socialisation and mental health. Certainly, creating some delicious food has helped some of us get through the recent lockdown; it's helped take our mind off things and given us something to do. People have said that kneading dough to make bread, for example, has given them a sense of calm and control. Research has shown that doing creative tasks, like cooking, makes us feel happier. Nicole Farmer, who studies how food impacts our biology, behaviour and mental health, told BBC online that "cooking represents the shared human experience of food, and nurturing people through food, so I think that's where it incorporates opportunity for immediate positive emotions." Of course, cooking can be a very sociable activity and sharing the end result, a rewarding experience. Hopefully, as we start to mix with friends and family again, we can enjoy the benefits once more and put us all in the right frame of mind. 词汇表 calorie-inducing [ˈkæləri ɪnˌdjuːsɪŋ] adj. 高热量的，导致热量增加的 low-fat adj. 低脂的 therapeutic [ˌθerəˈpjuːtɪk] adj. 治疗的，疗愈的，有益身心健康的 end result 最终成果，成品 consultant psychiatrist [kənˈsʌltənt saɪˈkaɪətrɪst] 精神科顾问医师，顾问精神科医生 baking [ˈbeɪkɪŋ] n. 烘焙 occupational therapy [ˌɒkjuˈpeɪʃənl ˈθerəpɪ] 职业疗法，作业疗法 socialisation [ˌsəʊʃəlaɪˈzeɪʃn] n. 社会化，社交 lockdown [ˈlɒkdaʊn] n. 封锁，封控 take one's mind off 使不再担忧，不去想，忘掉（烦心事） knead dough [niːd dəʊ] 揉面团 nurture [ˈnɜːtʃə(r)] vt. 滋养，养育，培育 incorporate [ɪnˈkɔːpəreɪt] vt. 包含，吸收，使并入 rewarding [rɪˈwɔːdɪŋ] adj. 有回报的，有益的 mix with 与…交往，与…相处 frame of mind 心境，心态 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Workplace accent discrimination in the UK This polling suggests that 5% of people in Britain believe their accent has cost them a promotion, pay rise or senior role. Those from Birmingham were the most likely to feel this - the figure rose to 13% among people with a Brummie accent. More than 3,300 people in England, Scotland and Wales were questioned. People from the West Country were most likely to report being mocked or criticised by colleagues for the way they spoke, at 15%, closely followed by those with a Geordie or Mancunian accent. Softening an accent is a common occurrence, the study suggests, with 13% of Britons polled admitting to changing the way they spoke in order to sound more professional. This rose to 23% of those with an East London Cockney accent, and 20% of those with a Scottish accent. 词汇表 polling [ˈpəʊlɪŋ] n. 民意调查，投票 promotion [prəˈməʊʃn] n. 晋升，提升 senior role [ˈsiːniə(r) rəʊl] 高级职位 Brummie [ˈbrʌmi] n. 伯明翰人；伯明翰口音 adj. 伯明翰的 mock [mɒk] vt. 嘲笑，嘲弄 Geordie [ˈdʒɔːdi] n. 纽卡斯尔人；纽卡斯尔口音 adj. 纽卡斯尔的 Mancunian [mænˈkjuːniən] n. 曼彻斯特人；曼彻斯特口音 adj. 曼彻斯特的 soften [ˈsɒfn] vt. 使变软；使缓和 occurrence [əˈkʌrəns] n. 发生的事，事件，现象 Cockney [ˈkɒkni] n. 考克尼，伦敦东区人；伦敦东区口音 adj. 伦敦东区的 Scottish [ˈskɒtɪʃ] n. 苏格兰人，苏格兰口音 adj. 苏格兰的 🗒️翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

Why do we have irrational thoughts at nighttime? We've all been there. You wake up in the middle of the night and simply can't get back to sleep, no matter how hard you try to relax. Suddenly, a problem that seemed insignificant earlier feels enormous. You overthink it and imagine the worst. Then morning arrives, and you realize you'd blown it out of all proportion. It's a very common experience. Anxious, irrational thoughts can feel much more intrusive at night. Why does our brain react this way? One possible explanation is known as the mind after midnight hypothesis. Researchers suggest that being awake during our biological night can change how we process emotions and make decisions. Negative feelings may become stronger, while the thinking skills involved in perspective, self-control and long-term judgment may be less effective. That doesn't mean every nighttime thought is irrational, but when we're tired and awake at a time when our body expects to be sleeping, evaluating problems calmly can become more difficult. A study led by university college London analyzed nearly one million survey responses from around 49,000 different people. It found that mental health and well-being were generally best in the morning and worst around midnight. However, because the study was observational, it couldn't prove that the time of day directly caused the difference. At night, our usual distractions also disappear. There are no activities, conversations or tasks to occupy us, with nobody awake to offer reassurance or another perspective, our worries can feel much bigger. Does this phenomenon have a name? It's commonly described as nighttime anxiety, although that isn't one specific diagnosis. It can involve difficulty falling asleep, waking with a feeling of dread, physical symptoms such as a racing heart, or repeatedly worrying that you won't get back to sleep. NHS guidelines, not that stress and anxiety can make sleeping harder. Lying awake, then creates more time to worry, producing a cycle in which anxiety disrupts sleep and poor sleep makes regulating our emotions more difficult. Caffeine late in the day, and irregular routine, and using phones before bed can make matters worse. Some health conditions can also disturb sleep. So persistent problems shouldn't simply be dismissed as overthinking. 词汇表 overthink [ˌəʊvəˈθɪŋk] vt. 过度思考，反复琢磨 blown it out of all proportion 把某事严重夸大，小题大做 irrational [ɪˈræʃənl] adj. 非理性的，不合理的 intrusive [ɪnˈtruːsɪv] adj. 侵入性的，闯入的，烦扰的 mind after midnight hypothesis [haɪˈpɒθəsɪs] “午夜后心智假说”（认为人在生物性夜间保持清醒时情绪和决策会发生改变的假说） biological night [ˌbaɪəˈlɒdʒɪkl] 生物性夜晚（人体生物钟认为应当睡眠的时段） observational [ˌɒbzəˈveɪʃənl] adj. 观察性的，基于观察的 reassurance [ˌriːəˈʃʊərəns] n. 安慰，慰藉，使人安心的事物 nighttime anxiety [ˈnaɪttaɪm æŋˈzaɪəti] 夜间焦虑（指在夜间出现的焦虑状态） racing heart 心悸，心跳加速 NHS 英国国民医疗服务体系（National Health Service 的缩写） dismiss [dɪsˈmɪs] vt. 不予理会，对…置之不理 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Can apps teach you a language? Neil Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil. Pippa And I'm Pippa. Apps like Duolingo, Babbel and Busuu all aim to help you learn a language, but do they really help? We'll be trying to answer that question in today's episode of 6 Minute English, and as usual we'll be learning some useful new vocabulary too. Neil Yes, and don't forget to head to our website for a transcript of this episode and a free worksheet to test what you've learnt. It's all at bbclearningenglish.com. Pippa OK. Neil, let's start with a quiz question. Which of these is not a language you can learn using Duolingo? Is it: a) Latin, b) Klingon, or c) Elvish? Neil I'm going to say c) Elvish. Pippa Well, we'll find out at the end of the programme. Now, people might be familiar with the app Duolingo. And then there are other apps which say they can help you learn a language quickly – Bussuu and Babbel, for example. Neil And listeners might be familiar with how they tend to work. You get short lessons which test you on a repeated set of words. Pippa Right. And many of these apps say they focus on teaching language for situations and implicit learning, rather than directly teaching language rules such as grammar. If something is implicit, it's suggested but not communicated directly. Neil Yes. So, if you think about how children learn to speak their first language, it's mostly implicit – they don't have lessons. But can this work for adults? Pippa BBC Radio 4 programme Sliced Bread has been investigating the evidence behind language learning apps. Presenter Greg Foot spoke to language learning expert Professor Elizabeth Wonnacott, or Liz, about implicit learning. Professor Elizabeth Wonnacott There is a very big difference between being a child who gets constantly exposed to this world of language, compared with trying to learn a language a few hours a week. There is quite a bit of evidence that some explicit teaching of, for example, grammar and vocabulary is helpful. Greg Foot Got you. So, it would be helpful to try to mimic what children do, which is full immersion, but realistically you're not going to get to those levels. Neil Liz says that while children learn their first language implicitly by being constantly surrounded by the language, adults are often learning for only a few hours a week. Pippa Yes. So, for adults trying to learn a new language, research has shown that some explicit teaching is helpful. Explicit is the opposite of implicit. So, for example, explicit grammar teaching would be somebody explaining a grammar rule to you. Neil Right. So, adults can't realistically achieve full immersion in a language like children do. Immersion means being completely surrounded by something. Pippa OK. So, a mixture of the implicit teaching of the apps and some explicit teaching – for example, learning grammar rules – is useful. But Neil, there's limited research about just how effective these apps can be at teaching you a language. Neil Indeed, Liz Wonnacott has seen one study she thinks could be interesting though, which compares two groups of Spanish speakers learning English – one using an app and one attending classes – for a similar amount of time. She explains more to BBC Radio 4 programme Sliced Bread. Professor Elizabeth Wonnacott The key finding was that in some of the tests, written grammar tests, the Duolingo learners actually improved a bit more, while actually in a test where they were looking at listening the classroom learners appeared to improve more. So, it's really promising, but of course it's one particular language, in one particular app, against one particular school. Pippa Liz says the key finding from the research is that the app users improved more on written tests, but the classroom learners improved more on listening tests. A key finding is the most important conclusion of a piece of research. Neil Liz says the study is promising, which means it shows signs of being positive. Pippa Yes. However, Liz points out the limits of the study. It's only looking at one particular language, one particular app and one particular language school. The repetition of one particular here means specific or individual, and Liz would like to see research on more apps, more types of teaching and also more different languages. Neil Apps can help us learn some parts of a language, but in this study they weren't as successful at improving listening skills, and so Liz concludes that combining learning in apps with some other ways of studying is the best way to try to improve your language skills. Professor Elizabeth Wonnacott Probably moving forwards, some combination of human teaching and these platforms to give us that repetition is probably going to be the right direction. Neil As teachers, we'd also suggest doing things that help you improve different skills – speaking, listening, reading and writing. So, listening to podcasts or trying to practise speaking with a language exchange partner could be things to combine with learning in apps. Find what works for you. Pippa I think it's time to find out the answer to the quiz question, Neil. I asked you which language you can't learn on Duolingo... and you were right. It's c) Elvish, but you can learn Latin and Klingon, the fictional language from the TV series Star Trek, on Duolingo. And if you did want to improve your Elvish, we did find an app specifically for that. Neil Right. Let's recap the vocabulary we learned in this episode. Implicit means suggested but not communicated directly. Pippa Explicit is the opposite of implicit. It means something is communicated directly. Neil Immersion is the state of being fully surrounded by something. Pippa The key finding of a research study is the most important conclusion of the research. Neil And the phrase one particular means specific or individual. 词汇表 implicit [ɪmˈplɪsɪt] adj. 隐性的，含蓄的，暗示的 explicit [ɪkˈsplɪsɪt] adj. 显性的，明确的，清楚的 immersion [ɪˈmɜː(r)ʃn] n. 沉浸，沉浸式学习 key finding 关键发现，主要发现 one particular 某一个特定的，某一种特定的 Duolingo [ˌdjuːəʊˈlɪŋɡəʊ] n. 多邻国（语言学习应用） Babbel [ˈbæbəl] n. 巴贝尔（语言学习应用） Busuu [buːsuː] n. 博树（语言学习应用） Latin [ˈlætɪn] n. 拉丁语 Klingon [ˈklɪŋɒn] n. 克林贡语（《星际迷航》中的虚构语言） Elvish [ˈelvɪʃ] n. 精灵语（《指环王》等作品中的虚构语言） mimic [ˈmɪmɪk] vt. 模仿，模拟 promising [ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ] adj. 有前景的，有希望的 📝 翻译及pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

Australia bans chart music made mostly by artificial intelligence Host: The Australian Recording Industry Association says it's banning music primarily made by artificial intelligence from Australia's official charts. The decision comes after a cover by Josh Fawaz of Madonna's Like a Prayer, which soared towards the top of the charts last month, was revealed to have used AI-generated vocals and drums. Our correspondent in Sydney, Simon Atkinson, told us more about the new rules. Simon: It has been very, very, very, very popular indeed. I mean, it topped the dance singles chart here, it peaked at number two in the overall chart. It's been in the charts for over four months. So it is hugely popular here. The producer is an Australian DJ. But it's probably the one song in this world of AI slop, as people call it, that's really got people talking about how valid it should be that we have this kind of music in the charts. It's a very fast-changing industry. And what this band is seeking to do, it's not saying you can't use any AI in music. I mean, AI has been used in various forms for a long time. We think of auto-tune, perhaps that lyric in the Cher song Believe, perhaps the most famous example in the recent, not even that recent years, is it? But it's talking specifically about when it changes the nature of music. And what it's saying is that all songs now, they must be substantially human-made to be eligible for the charts. It can still be used for things like drum machines and that kind of thing, but the vocals, the songs must be written by a human, the vocals must be human, the lead instruments must be performed by humans. And if that's not the case, then they won't be eligible for the charts. I think one of the interesting comments we've had already from one of the leading Australian electronic dance groups called Peking Duck, they actually remixed one of their songs quite recently on social media and gave it a kind of an over-the-top AI version and kind of captioned it, this is what happens when you re-record your own song with AI so the Australian radio will play it again. Because, you know, people have latched onto it. But one of the band members speaking to local media today, they talked about AI-generated music removing the human experience from life. And in Australia, you know, it's kind of trying to lead the way in a lot of these things. It, of course, brought in a social media ban, which has been copied in many parts of the world. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised a lot more protection from AI for Australian creatives. But, yeah, look, you can see why musicians might be leaning in on it. And, of course, there's nothing to stop them still doing that. It just means that they wouldn't be eligible to be in those charts. It's going to be up to the artists, by the way, to declare when they've used AI. So they submit it to be considered for the charts, and they're supposed to list what kind of artificial intelligence has gone into it. But the organization which runs the charts has said that if down the line they find that AI was used and it hadn't been declared, they would recalculate the charts. And if it happened to get to number one, well, they might well ask for the little trophy that you get to be given back. 词汇表 primarily [ˈpraɪmərəli] adv. 主要地，首要地 official chart [əˈfɪʃl tʃɑːt] 官方排行榜 soar towards [sɔː(r)] 迅速攀升至，飙升至 top vt. 登顶，位居…之首 AI slop [slɒp] （尤指大量生产的）低质AI内容，AI垃圾 valid [ˈvælɪd] adj. 有效的，合理的，正当的 auto-tune [ˈɔːtəʊ tjuːn] n. 自动调音（一种音频处理技术） substantially [səbˈstænʃəli] adv. 大体上，基本上，实质上 human-made adj. 人类制作的，人工创作的 eligible [ˈelɪdʒəbl] adj. 有资格的，符合条件的 drum machine 鼓机（电子打击乐器） vocal [ˈvəʊkl] n. 人声，歌声 remix [ˌriːˈmɪks] vt. 重新混音，混音改编 over-the-top adj. 过分的，夸张的 caption [ˈkæpʃn] vt. 给…加说明文字，配文，加标题 latch onto [lætʃ] 抓住，盯住，紧紧把握 lean in on [liːn] 支持，赞成，靠向 declare [dɪˈkleə(r)] vt. 申报，声明 submit [səbˈmɪt] vt. 提交，呈交 down the line 以后，将来 trophy [ˈtrəʊfi] n. 奖杯，奖品 🌟翻译，pdf及更多文本内容见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可加入【打卡交流群】

Does music really make us more productive? The music you're listening to is lofi, short for low fidelity. It blends elements of jazz with hip hop rhythms, creating a relaxing soundscape. This genre has gained immense popularity, in part due to the YouTube channel Lofi Girl, which, as of October 2024, boasts over 14 million subscribers. The channel offers a 24/7 live stream of lofi tracks designed to serve as ambient background music. The visual aesthetic of Lofi Girl features Japanese-style 2D animations, portraying a young woman studying with her cat nearby. The stream caters to listeners seeking music for relaxation, study, or work. But does it actually help with productivity? Research on this topic offers mixed insights, according to BBC Science Focus, one study conducted in a textile factory, found that slow tempo music can actually decrease productivity by slowing workers' pace. The study suggested that more upbeat music might be more effective in maintaining productivity. In another setting, surgeons have been found to work more quickly and accurately when listening to classical music, as long as it's not too fast or intrusive. These examples highlight that the effectiveness of music on productivity can vary based on the tempo, genre, and task. So how should you choose music for work? A 2023 study by the University of Turin examined how music impacts our emotions and productivity. The research concluded that music that boosts your mood is more likely to make you productive. Therefore, it's best to choose music that you personally enjoy. However, the type of music matters. In 2021, researchers from the Taipei facility of medicine found that music with lyrics can be distracting and may hinder focus. There is, however, a small caveat. If instrumental music feels dull, music with lyrics might be a better fit for you. Does personality influence how music affects productivity? Yes, personality plays a significant role, the same Taipei study noted that extroverts tend to experience a productive boost from listening to music, whereas introverts may find it distracting. Ultimately, the choice should reflect your personality and the nature of your work. So, while music can indeed help, the key is to choose the tracks that match your preferences, suit your work style, and keeps you in a good mood. There you have it. 词汇表 lofi [ˈləʊfiː] n. 低保真音乐（low fidelity [fɪ'deləti] 的简称，一种融合爵士乐元素与嘻哈节奏的放松型音乐风格） soundscape [ˈsaʊndskeɪp] n. 音景，声音景观（指特定环境中的整体声音氛围） immense popularity [ɪˈmens] 极高的人气，广受欢迎 boast [bəʊst] vt. 拥有，自夸，吹嘘 24/7 adv. 全天候地，一天24小时、一周7天地 ambient [ˈæmbiənt] adj. 环境的，周围的；营造氛围的 visual aesthetic [ˈvɪʒuəl iːsˈθetɪk] 视觉美学，视觉审美 animation [ˌænɪˈmeɪʃn] n. 动画，动画片 cater (to) [ˈkeɪtə(r)] vi. 迎合，满足需求 textile factory [ˈtekstaɪl] 纺织厂 tempo [ˈtempəʊ] n. （音乐的）节奏，速度，拍子 upbeat [ˈʌpbiːt] adj. 乐观的，欢快的，节奏明快的 surgeon [ˈsɜːdʒən] n. 外科医生 intrusive [ɪnˈtruːsɪv] adj. 侵扰的，打扰的，突兀的 genre [ˈʒɒnrə] n. （文学、艺术、音乐的）类型，体裁，流派，曲风 hinder [ˈhɪndə(r)] vt. 阻碍，妨碍 caveat [ˈkæviæt] n. 警告，注意事项，附加说明 dull [dʌl] adj. 单调的，乏味的；迟钝的 extrovert [ˈekstrəvɜːt] n. 性格外向的人 introvert [ˈɪntrəvɜːt] n. 性格内向的人 track [træk] n. 音轨，曲目，歌曲 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Why overconfidence can be good for you Do you know anyone who is more confident in their own abilities than their actual performance suggests they should be? Perhaps they think they are an incredible singer, but they're actually tone-deaf. Most people believe that they are more intelligent and skilful than the average person, according to a 2020 meta-analysis by Zell and colleagues. Obviously, this cannot be the case. Overconfidence has a cost – it can lead to things like poor financial decisions and dangerous driving. So why do we have such a tendency to overestimate our abilities? Excessive self-belief requires self-deception – believing your own falsehoods. An evolutionary perspective argues that humans evolved self-deception so that we could deceive others more easily. The theory goes that if you believe your own lies about your abilities, you're less likely to display behaviours which will give it away, such as nervousness or hesitation. Deceiving others about your abilities may enable you to open doors, but it is when you have to prove yourself that overconfidence can lead to costly mistakes. For those who have a greater underlying ability, though, overconfidence can be highly beneficial. This is what researchers are calling the 'peacock's tail for people'. Peacocks have long and brightly coloured feathers to attract females, but they are extremely burdensome. The feathers are heavy and highly visible to predators, so only the healthiest peacocks can afford to carry such elaborate plumage. In other words, their feathers are a reliable indicator of their suitability for potential mates. Authors of a 2026 study, published in the Psychological Review compare this phenomenon with human overconfidence. They argue that only the most capable people can keep a high self-belief without suffering severe consequences. In other words, overconfidence may actually be a useful signal of ability. So, what lessons can be learnt from all this? If you have a high ability in a particular skill, make sure you have the confidence to match it. Ability can bring success, but remember, it is confidence which opens the doors in the first place. 词汇表 tone-deaf [ˈtəʊn def] adj. 音盲的，五音不全的 meta-analysis [ˈmetə əˌnæləsɪs] n. 元分析（对多项研究结果进行综合分析的统计方法） overconfidence [ˌəʊvəˈkɒnfɪdəns] n. 过度自信，自负 overestimate [ˌəʊvərˈestɪmeɪt] vt. 高估，过高估计 self-belief [self bɪˈliːf] n. 自信，自我信念 self-deception [self dɪˈsepʃn] n. 自我欺骗 falsehood [ˈfɔːlshʊd] n. 虚假，谎言，谬误 give something away 泄露，暴露，露马脚 deceive [dɪˈsiːv] vt. 欺骗，蒙蔽 open doors 创造机会，获得机会，打开门路 underlying [ˌʌndəˈlaɪɪŋ] adj. 潜在的，根本的，基础的 peacock's tail for people [ˈpiːkɒks teɪl] 人类的孔雀尾巴（指用来展示自身优势的信号） burdensome [ˈbɜːdnsəm] adj. 繁重的，累赘的，成为负担的 predator [ˈpredətə(r)] n. 捕食者，食肉动物 elaborate [ɪˈlæbərət] adj. 精心制作的，复杂精美的 plumage [ˈpluːmɪdʒ] n. 羽饰，羽毛，羽衣 indicator [ˈɪndɪkeɪtə(r)] n. 指标，指示物，标志 suitability [ˌsuːtəˈbɪləti] n. 合适，适宜，相配 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】

Are you a time optimist? A time optimist is someone who's overly optimistic about how much time they have to do something, and therefore often ends up being late or missing deadlines. They tend to underestimate how long tasks will take, overestimate how much they can accomplish in a given period, and ignore potential delays or interruptions. They may also have a distorted perception of time, losing track of how fast it passes or how much is left. Why are some people like this? Time optimists are not necessarily lazy or irresponsible. They may have good intentions and high ambitions, but they lack realistic planning and prioritization skills. They may also suffer from procrastination, perfectionism, or fear of failure, which prevents them from starting or finishing tasks on time. But being a time optimist can have negative consequences for both oneself and for others. It can cause stress, anxiety, guilt, and frustration as well as damage one's reputation, relationships, and career. It can also affect the people who depend on you or work with the time optimist, causing them to feel annoyed, disappointed, or resentful. Any benefits to being a time optimist? According to Grace Pacey, author of late, a Timebender's guide of why we're late, and how we can change. She's quoted in The Guardian as saying, "latecomers see time as flexible and can speed up when needed. We get energized by deadlines. We often feel we produce our most creative work when we are under time pressure. Timebenders typically do 80% of their work in the last 20% of the time before a deadline. We enjoy the adrenaline and buzz we get from working under time pressure." So how can you become more punctual and productive if you are a time optimist? Here are some tips. Start by keeping track of how long tasks actually take and compare them with your estimates. This will help you calibrate your sense of time and adjust your expectations accordingly. Try using a calendar, a planner, or an app to schedule your tasks and activities and set reminders or alarms to keep on track. Make sure to include buffer time for unexpected events or emergencies. Break down large or complex tasks into smaller and simpler ones and assign deadlines for each subtask. This will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or procrastinating until the last minute. Prioritize your tasks according to their importance and urgency, and focus on the most critical ones first. Learn to say no to unnecessary or irrelevant requests or distractions that may interfere with your schedule. Finally, reward yourself for completing tasks on time or ahead of schedule. This will help you to reinforce positive habits and improve your performance. There you have it. 词汇表 time optimist [ˈɒptɪmɪst] 时间乐观主义者（对自己的可用时间过度乐观的人） underestimate [ˌʌndərˈestɪmeɪt] vt. 低估，对…估计不足 overestimate [ˌəʊvərˈestɪmeɪt] vt. 高估，对…估计过高 distorted perception [dɪˈstɔːtɪd pəˈsepʃn] 扭曲的感知，偏差的认知 prioritization [praɪˌɒrətaɪˈzeɪʃn] n. 优先级排序，确定优先顺序 resentful [rɪˈzentfl] adj. 愤恨的，不满的，憎恨的 timebender [taɪm ˈbendə(r)] n. 时间扭曲者（指打破常规时间观念的人） latecomer [ˈleɪtkʌmə(r)] n. 迟到者，来晚的人 adrenaline [əˈdrenəlɪn] n. 肾上腺素 buzz [bʌz] n. 兴奋感，刺激感，快感 punctual [ˈpʌŋktʃuəl] adj. 守时的，准时的 calibrate [ˈkælɪbreɪt] vt. 校准，校正，调整 planner [ˈplænə(r)] n. 计划表，规划本 buffer time [ˈbʌfə(r)] 缓冲时间（为意外情况预留的时间） subtask [ˈsʌbtɑːsk] n. 子任务，次级任务 interfere with [ˌɪntəˈfɪə(r) wɪð] 干扰，妨碍，干涉 reinforce [ˌriːɪnˈfɔːs] vt. 强化，加强，巩固 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Climate change and extreme weather Phil Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Phil. It seems that we're hearing about more and more terrible weather events, but how exactly is climate change affecting extreme weather? I'm lucky today to be joined by BBC Weather forecaster, meteorologist and presenter, Sarah Keith-Lucas. Hi Sarah. Sarah Keith-Lucas Hi Phil. It's great to be here. Phil Sarah's here to help us understand what's happening with extreme weather. She'll also help explain some of the words and expressions used in a new series of BBC Learning English videos all about weather and climate and the language we use to talk about them. You can find the link to them on our webpage, or in the show notes for this podcast. Sarah, let's start with a really important question: what's the difference between climate and weather? Sarah Keith-Lucas That's a great question, Phil. The weather is what you see and feel every day. Climate is more long-term. Today I'll explain how a change in the climate over the long term can be seen in the weather that we experience. Phil As always, we will also be learning some key vocabulary to talk about the topic. And, Sarah, it's traditional for us to set a quiz question. Have you got one for us? Sarah Keith-Lucas Yes, I have! By how much has Earth's temperature increased since 1970. Is it? a) Around 0.5C b) Around 1C c) Around 2C Phil Around 2 celsius? Sarah Keith-Lucas I'll give the answer at the end of the programme, so listen to the end to find out. Phil Now, we're going to talk about tropical storms. What do we mean by 'tropical storms', Sarah? Sarah Well, those are hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons. They're large rotating storm systems formed over warm tropical waters. These are actually the same, we just use different names depending on where in the world they form. Hurricanes are found in the Atlantic, Cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Typhoons in the West Pacific. As the world warms, climate scientists think that these storms will get more destructive. Phil In one of our new Learning English for weather videos, meteorologist Darren Bett tells us about another worrying change. Darren Bett Scientists also think storms are slowing down. They're not moving across as quickly, and that means if a storm is in the same area for longer, the winds will be stronger for longer, and the rain will last for longer producing more flooding and more likelihood of flooding and landslides and also mudslides. Phil Darren said that if a storm moves more slowly, there will be more likelihood of flooding. Likelihood is the noun that we use to say how probable, or how likely something is to happen. Darren also told us about landslides and mudslides. Sarah Keith-Lucas Yes, landslides are where a large amount of earth or rock moves down a slope quickly. Mudslides tend to be faster and more liquid. Both of these things can happen after particularly heavy rain and can cause damage to buildings. People can also be killed or injured by them. Phil What else causes loss of life in a hurricane, typhoon or cyclone? Sarah Keith-Lucas Well, something else that is very dangerous is a storm surge. Let's hear again from my colleague Darren Bett. Darren Bett Storm surge, that's that body of water that gets swept inland and produces widespread flooding. Climate change is warming our seas, and the sea levels are rising. That potentially could mean that a storm surge which is one element of a storm that produces more casualties than any other, those storm surges could become even more dangerous. Phil So, we had the word casualty, and this is used to talk about people killed or injured by an accident, a military attack, or in this case an extreme weather event. Sarah Keith-Lucas Darren talked about storm surges. A storm surge is where the sea level rises quickly pushed by the strong winds caused by a storm. This water comes onto land with an enormous amount lot of force, and storm surges can be up to 10 metres high. Buildings get destroyed, people can drown. Phil We heard about the storm sweeping inland. Something sweeping in is moving quickly and powerfully. And you can hear more from Darren in the videos on our website. Sarah, how about the answer to the quiz question you asked earlier? Sarah Keith-Lucas OK, Phil. So, I asked by how much has the world's average temperature increased since 1970. Phil And I thought that it was around two celsius. Sarah Keith-Lucas It's actually around one degree celsius. 1C is just an average across all of earth's land and ocean surface. Some places are warming much quicker than this such as the Arctic that's warming 3 times faster than the average rate. Just a small increase in average temperature can lead to a much bigger increase in extreme events such as heatwaves, wildfires and floods. Phil Oh wow, so that is an important difference. OK, let's recap the vocabulary we've learned, starting with likelihood, which is noun that we use to talk how probable or how likely something is to happen. Sarah Keith-Lucas Landslides and mudslides which can occur after heavy rainfall make earth or mud move downhill very fast. Phil A storm surge is a sudden rise in the sea level, that can move inland causing destruction. Sarah Keith-Lucas If something sweeps in, it moves in very fast and very powerfully. Phil And finally, a casualty is someone who is injured or killed by an accident, attack, or something like an extreme weather event. 词汇表 likelihood [ˈlaɪklɪhʊd] n. 可能，可能性 landslides [ˈlændslaɪdz] n. 山体滑坡，崩塌 mudslides [ˈmʌdslaɪdz] n. 泥石流 storm surge [sɜːdʒ] 风暴潮（由风暴强风推动海面快速上升并涌向内陆的现象） sweep in [swiːp] 席卷而来，快速有力地移动 casualty [ˈkæʒuəlti] n. 伤亡人员，死伤者 meteorologist [ˌmiːtiəˈrɒlədʒɪst] n. 气象学家 tropical storms [ˈtrɒpɪkl stɔːmz] 热带风暴 hurricane [ˈhʌrɪkən] n. 飓风（大西洋及东北太平洋地区的热带气旋） cyclone [ˈsaɪkləʊn] n. 气旋（印度洋及南太平洋地区的热带气旋） typhoon [taɪˈfuːn] n. 台风（西北太平洋地区的热带气旋） probable [ˈprɒbəbl] adj. 很可能的，大概的 liquid [ˈlɪkwɪd] adj. 液体的，液态的，流动的 sweep inland [swiːp ˈɪnlənd] 席卷内陆，涌向内陆 downhill [ˌdaʊnˈhɪl] adv. 向下坡，往山下 📝 翻译及pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复1可加入【打卡交流群】

How can you shop in a more eco-friendly way? From overbuying and unnecessary packaging to food waste. The way we shop can have a bigger environmental impact than we realize. In the UK, food and drink account for around a quarter of the average household's carbon footprint according to the Carbon Trust. UK households throw away around six million tons of edible food every year, according to estimates from the UK's leading waste reduction charity. But there is good news. A few simple changes to the way you shop can make a real difference. So where should we start? One of the easiest wins is cutting back on single use plastic. Swop disposable carrier bags for reusable shopping bags, a basket or a trolley. It won't solve the plastic crisis, but it helps reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfill, rivers, and the sea. You can also bring your own containers when you shop, many zero waste and refill stores, let you fill reusable jars with staples like rice, pasta, or cereal, and some cafes and takeaways will accept your own container for food. Buying only what you need also helps cut food waste. Another simple switch is to drink tap water instead of bottled water. Is food the only area where we can shop more sustainably? Not at all. The same principles apply to almost everything we buy, before replacing something, ask yourself whether it can be repaired, extending the life of everyday items reduces waste, and cuts the demand for new products. And if you're not confident fixing things yourself, there are plenty of online tutorials and local repair cafes that can help. Buying secondhand is another easy way to reduce your impact, whether it's clothes, furniture, or homeware, choosing pre-owned saves resources, and often saves money too. If you're after a new pair of denim shorts, for example, buying them secondhand avoids the environmental cost of producing a brand new item, especially compared with fast fashion. The same goes for electronics, where refurbished devices are often a smart alternative to buying new. You can also reduce waste in the bathroom and around the house, swopping shower gel for a bar of soap, using shaving soap instead of foam, or choosing refillable or solid toiletries can all help cut plastic packaging. Toothbrushes with replaceable heads and toothpaste tablets are becoming increasingly common too. Finally, think about switching to reusable products wherever you can, refillable coffee pods, washable makeup remover pads, and reusable period products, such as menstrual cups, period pants, or washable pads can all reduce waste over time. There you have it. 词汇表 carbon footprint [ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt] 碳足迹（个人或活动产生的二氧化碳排放量） edible [ˈedəbl] adj. 可食用的，可以吃的 easy wins 容易做到的事，轻松获得的成果 disposable carrier bags [dɪˈspəʊzəbl ˈkæriə bæɡz] 一次性购物袋 trolley [ˈtrɒli] n. （英）手推车，购物车 landfill [ˈlændfɪl] n. 垃圾填埋场 refill stores [ˌriːˈfɪl stɔːz] 散装补充式商店（允许顾客自带容器购买商品） reusable jars [dʒɑːz] 可重复使用的罐子 staple [ˈsteɪpl] n. 主食，基本食品 pasta [ˈpæstə] n. 意大利面（通心粉、面条等） cereal [ˈsɪəriəl] n. 麦片，谷物早餐 tap water 自来水 tutorial [tjuːˈtɔːriəl] n. 教程，辅导课 repair cafes [kæfeɪz] 维修咖啡馆（社区中提供免费维修帮助的场所） homeware [ˈhəʊmweə(r)] n. 家居用品，家庭器具 pre-owned [ˌpriːˈəʊnd] adj. 二手的，先前使用过的 denim shorts [ˈdenɪm] 牛仔短裤 fast fashion 快时尚（低成本、快速更新的服装零售模式） refurbished devices [rɪˈfɜːbɪʃt] 翻新设备，整修过的电子产品 shower gel [dʒel] 沐浴露，淋浴凝胶 shaving soap [ˈʃeɪvɪŋ səʊp] 剃须皂 foam [fəʊm] n. 泡沫；剃须泡沫 refillable [riːˈfɪləbl] adj. 可补充的，可再填充的 solid toiletries [ˈtɔɪlətriz] 固体洗漱用品 toothpaste tablets [ˈtæbləts] 牙膏片（固体咀嚼式牙膏） coffee pods [pɒdz] 咖啡胶囊（单次用咖啡粉密封容器） makeup remover pads [pædz] 卸妆棉，卸妆垫 menstrual cups [ˈmenstruəl] 月经杯（可重复使用的经期收集杯） period pants 经期内裤（可吸收经血的可水洗内裤） washable pads 可清洗的卫生巾，可水洗的护垫 🪴翻译和pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进入【打卡交流群】

Is willpower enough to form habits? Have you ever made a promise to yourself that you didn't keep? Commonly, when the new year ticks over, we make resolutions: going to the gym, studying harder or giving up a bad habit. Sadly, not long after we've made the promise, we often end up breaking them. But what if you want to create a new good habit? Well, it's possible, but willpower might not be the only thing you need. The basic idea of a habit is something we do almost unconsciously, as if you're on autopilot. An example of this would be having breakfast or saying 'please' and 'thank you'. Good habits can be part of your daily routine. But if we don't have those habits, how can we create them? According to a study published by the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit. However, relying only on determination may not be the answer. Questioning why you want something to be the norm rather than relying on your resolve could be the key. Do you want to lose weight because you want to be healthier or feel more attractive? The issue is, willpower could be subject to your mood – a bad mood may mean you don't want to do something. You should also avoid trying to change too much at once – remember that it's a case of baby steps. Giving up all your favourite foods, going to the gym, and stopping drinking at the same time will probably result in failure rather than sustainable practice. And don't worry about failing – just start again! Finally, don't do things outside your comfort zone. If you hate mushrooms, don't persevere and try to add them to your diet just to be healthier. Eat something you like! It might not be quick, but if you follow these tips, you may be able to change something for the better or kick a bad habit. 词汇表 tick over（钟表等）滴答作响；（机器）缓慢运转；此处指新年钟声敲响，时间更替 resolution [ˌrezəˈluːʃn] n. 决心，决定 willpower [ˈwɪlpaʊə(r)] n. 意志力，毅力 unconsciously [ʌnˈkɒnʃəsli] adv. 无意识地，不知不觉地 on autopilot [ˈɔːtəʊpaɪlət] （像开启自动驾驶模式一样）习惯性地，无意识地，处于自动运行状态 be subject to 受…支配，易受…影响 baby steps 循序渐进，小步前进 persevere [ˌpɜːsɪˈvɪə(r)] vi. 坚持不懈，锲而不舍 change something for the better 使某事变得更好，改善某事 kick [kɪk] vt. 改掉，戒除（坏习惯） 📖 翻译、pdf见公众号【琐简英语】，回复"1"可进【打卡交流群】