英音听力｜BBC & 经济学人等

BBC News｜研究表明：参与艺术活动有助于延缓衰老

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Research suggests participating in the arts slows the ageing process

Host: Want to slow the pace of ageing? Don't fancy exercising or improving your diet? Well, why not try a bit of culture?

New research suggests that participation in the arts is not just good for your soul, but actually slows down your body's biological clock. The lead researcher is Daisy Fancourt, who's Professor of Psychobiology and Epidemiology at University College London. She spoke to my colleague Nick Robinson.

Nick Daisy: We've been looking at a particular way of measuring biological ageing called epigenetic clocks. So essentially, we're all born with our set of DNA, but our lifestyles can decide which parts of our DNA get read out. So a bit like a recipe book, the recipes are there when it's printed, but we only choose to make some of them.

And we've been looking at a process called DNA methylation, which is when a molecule called methyl attaches to our DNA, making it hard to read out, a bit like sticky pages in that recipe book.

And as we get older, there are particular patterns of DNA methylation that tend to occur. So we can look at these patterns to see if someone is older or younger than the number of birthdays they've had. And we found that people who engage more in the arts have got this younger epigenetic age.

Nick: And the problem with these sorts of studies is always you've got to try and screen out everything else that could have an impact. Lifestyle, age, geography and so on. You've done that, have you?

Daisy: Exactly. That's been a big part of this study is considering the demographic and socioeconomic factors that could actually explain this relationship, but also disentangling this from the other kinds of lifestyle and behavioural factors that we already know influence epigenetic ageing.

But interestingly, the relationship is there independent of those. And it's actually the same effect size for arts engagement that we see for physical activity.

Nick: That's fascinating. Well, let's drill down a bit on what you mean by engagement. Do you literally mean if I read 10 pages before going to sleep or have the radio on or do you mean that I have to go and sing in a choir?

Daisy: We've looked at a really broad range of activities within the index. So we looked at performing arts, so making things, crafts, music, dance as well as people going to cultural events whether that's museums or libraries or carnivals, gigs, festivals.

We used a very broad inclusive index that captured a lot of modern and digital participation as well, but we found it's not just about frequency of engagement, diversity of engagement also appears really important.

Nick: So doing different things, not just the one thing that obsesses you. And if people want some advice, really, I know you're not there to give advice, what would you say?

Daisy: We're all used to the kind of advice we have for diet and physical activity, like get your five a day of vegetables and fruit or get your 10,000 steps. And I think it can be helpful if we start to frame arts engagement in a similar way, behaviourally.

So trying to find a rule for ourselves that tries to prioritise even small amounts of engagement, but on that regular basis, ideally on a day-to-day basis.

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Do you really know｜为什么年轻人看起来这么显老？

Thu, 14 May 2026 02:27:56 GMT

Why are young people looking so old?

If you're aged between 30 and 40, you're part of Generation Y, also known as the Millennials. You may have already said to yourself that the next generation, Gen Z, looks much older than their age.

But how is this possible?

Millennials grew up amid the rise of the wellness industry and numerous public health campaigns that promoted healthy living. Think about the messaging around eating five fruits and vegetables a day, staying physically active and avoiding smoking.

Not to mention, there was also a strong push for some protection awareness. Consequently, millennials have largely embraced skincare routines and self-care habits that keep them looking youthful.

You'd think Gen Z would follow in their footsteps and look even younger. But according to some experts, that's part of the problem.

Dermatologist Sabine Kazadem explains that this surge in skin care is leading to some young people using anti-wrinkle products too quickly, doing them more harm than good. If you start using active ingredients like retinol too early, she explains, you destroy the skin barrier, which leads to premature ageing of the skin.

The rise of cosmetic treatments among younger generations could also play a role. Dr Ross Perry, quoted in the Daily Mail, notes that Botox, fillers and semi-permanent make-up procedures are becoming normalised among people as young as 20, creating an appearance that may look older.

Social media's influence on beauty standards and a prevailing fear of ageing may also be fuelling this trend.

Are many Gen Zers really getting these procedures?

Despite the headlines suggesting otherwise, most Gen Z members aren't undergoing cosmetic procedures. Aesthetician Alison Leiterle told Daze that the trend appears widespread, but is mainly seen amongst influencers and celebrities who can afford it. While skincare is popular, most Gen Z don't pursue aesthetic treatments.

Cultural theorist Professor Meredith Jones suggests that the perception of age is shifting. Older celebrities with cosmetic enhancements now look younger, creating a distorted standard. So instead of thinking that 40-year-old looks 20, we may perceive younger people with similar features as looking older.

Ultimately, there's no clear evidence that Gen Z looks older than past generations at the same age. Changing beauty norms and evolving age perceptions may be driving this belief, especially as Gen Z move closer to their 30s. There you have it.

词汇表

Generation Y / the Millennials [mɪˈleniəlz] Y世代 / 千禧一代（指1981年至1996年间出生的人）

Gen Z Z世代（指1997年至2012年间出生的人）

skincare routine [ˈskɪnkeə ruːˌtiːn] 日常护肤，护肤流程

self-care [ˌselfˈkeə(r)] n. 自我保养，自我护理

youthful [ˈjuːθfl] adj. 年轻的，显得年轻的

dermatologist [ˌdɜːməˈtɒlədʒɪst] n. 皮肤科医生，皮肤学者

anti-wrinkle [ˌæntiˈrɪŋkl] adj. 抗皱的

retinol [ˈretɪnɒl] n. 视黄醇（用于护肤的一种维生素A）

premature ageing [ˌpremətʃə(r)] 过早老化，早衰

cosmetic treatments [kɒzˈmetɪk ˈtriːtmənts] 美容治疗，医美项目

Botox [ˈbəʊtɒks] n. 肉毒杆菌素（用于除皱）

filler [ˈfɪlə(r)] n. 填充剂（如用于面部填充）

semi-permanent make-up [ˌsemi ˈpɜːmənənt] 半永久化妆（如纹眉、纹眼线等）

normalised [ˈnɔːməlaɪzd] adj. 常态化的，正常化的

prevailing [prɪˈveɪlɪŋ] adj. 盛行的，普遍的

fuel [ˈfjuːəl] vt. 加剧，刺激，助长

undergo [ˌʌndəˈɡəʊ] vt. 经历，接受（变化或治疗等）

cosmetic procedures [kɒzˈmetɪk prəˈsiːdʒə(r)z] 美容手术，医美项目

aesthetic treatments [iːsˈθetɪk ˈtriːtmənts] 美容治疗，医美项目

cultural theorist [ˈθɪərɪst] 文化理论家

cosmetic enhancements [kɒzˈmetɪk ɪnˈhɑːnsmənts] 医美改善，美容提升

distorted [dɪˈstɔːtɪd] adj. 扭曲的，失真的

beauty norms [nɔːmz] 审美标准，美貌规范

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BBC随身英语｜剩饭剩菜的安全保存指南

Wed, 13 May 2026 01:08:05 GMT

Keeping leftovers safe

Overpriced shop-bought sandwiches, underwhelming food from your work canteen or pricey local restaurants. If those are the alternatives, then it's unsurprising that many of us think leftovers make the perfect lunch.

Leftovers are a good way to cut down on food waste. If you've cooked them yourself, then you can be sure what all the ingredients are and where they've come from. But how safe are leftovers? Could there be a danger lurking in your lunchbox?

It's not just you that loves your leftovers. The BBC's Trust Me, I'm a Doctor programme tells us that they are also great for bacteria like listeria, salmonella and campylobacter. They can nourish themselves on the food we love and multiply incredibly quickly. One campylobacter bacterium can multiply to 70,000 million bacteria in just 12 hours.

Food poisoning caused by these bacteria usually makes people mildly unwell but can also cause more serious life-threatening illnesses. What do we need to think about to keep our leftovers safe?

Temperature control is important to stop bacteria growing on your food. Food safety experts warn of a danger zone between 8C and 63C. At these temperatures, bacteria can grow easily on your leftover food. Refrigerating your leftovers slows bacteria growth, and this is why experts recommend putting your leftover food in the fridge within two hours.

You should also cover any food in the refrigerator because air can contain contaminants, and also, many pathogens need oxygen to grow. However, do remember that fridges only slow bacteria growth, not stop it, so most leftovers should only be left in the fridge for two days.

Temperature is also important if you are reheating leftovers. Instructions often recommend heating food until it's piping hot or steaming hot throughout. Clinical microbiology lecturer Primrose Freestone recommends that ovens are set to at least 163C and that food's internal temperature should reach at least 74C.

Other experts tell us that food heated in the microwave should be stirred halfway through the process so that it's cooked all the way through.

Leftovers can be an economical way to cut down on food waste. However, it's important that we store and reheat food carefully to make sure that it stays safe to eat.

词汇表

overpriced [ˌəʊvəˈpraɪst] adj. 价格过高的，昂贵的

shop-bought [ˈʃɒp bɔːt] adj. （食物）商店买来的，现成的

underwhelming [ˌʌndəˈwelmɪŋ] adj. 平庸的，索然无味的，乏善可陈的

pricey [ˈpraɪsi] adj. 昂贵的，价格高的

leftovers [ˈleftəʊvəz] n. 剩菜剩饭，吃剩的食物

food waste 食物浪费，食物残渣

ingredient [ɪnˈɡriːdiənt] n. （食品的）成分，原料

lurk [lɜːk] vi. 潜伏，潜藏

lunchbox [ˈlʌntʃbɒks] n. 午餐盒，饭盒

bacteria [bækˈtɪəriə] n. 细菌（bacterium [bækˈtɪəriəm] 的复数）

listeria [lɪˈstɪəriə] n. 李斯特菌

salmonella [ˌsælməˈnelə] n. 沙门氏菌

campylobacter [ˌkæmpɪləʊˈbæktə(r)] n. 弯曲杆菌

nourish [ˈnʌrɪʃ] vt. 滋养，给…提供养分

multiply [ˈmʌltɪplaɪ] v. 繁殖，增殖，大量增加

food poisoning [ˈpɔɪzənɪŋ] 食物中毒

mildly [ˈmaɪldli] adv. 轻微地，温和地

life-threatening [ˈlaɪf θretənɪŋ] adj. （疾病）危及生命的，致命的

danger zone [zəʊn] 危险区域，危险地带

refrigerate [rɪˈfrɪdʒəreɪt] vt. 冷藏，冷冻

contaminant [kənˈtæmɪnənt] n. 污染物，致污物

pathogen [ˈpæθədʒən] n. 病原体，致病菌

reheat [ˌriːˈhiːt] vt. 重新加热，再热

piping hot [ˌpaɪpɪŋ] adj. 滚烫的，非常热的

steaming hot [ˌstiːmɪŋ] adj. 热气腾腾的，滚烫的

microbiology [ˌmaɪkrəʊbaɪˈɒlədʒi] n. 微生物学

oven [ˈʌvn] n. 烤箱，烤炉

internal temperature [ɪnˈtɜːnl] 内部温度

stir halfway [stɜː(r) ˌhɑːfˈweɪ] 中途搅拌

all the way through 完全地，彻底地，从头到尾地

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BBC六分钟英语｜我们应该吃超加工食品吗？

Mon, 11 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Should we eat ultra-processed food?

Phil

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Phil.

Pippa

And I'm Pippa.

Phil

If you've eaten anything today, then it's likely that some of your food was ultra-processed – food containing artificial ingredients like additives and sweeteners. Ultra-processed foods are everywhere, from sliced bread to chocolate biscuits and crisps.

Pippa

They might taste good, but the bad news is that ultra-processed foods have been linked to poor health. They often contain lots of sugar and salt and have been linked to problems like obesity and diabetes. So, how can we tell what food is ultra-processed and what's not? Here's health reporter Annabel Rackham on BBC World Service programme What in the World?

Annabel Rackham

Ultra-processed foods are things that contain five or more ingredients, and things that you wouldn't find in your average kitchen. It's going to have things on there, like emulsifiers, preservatives, additives, dyes and sweeteners.

Phil

Annabel describes ultra-processed foods as things containing ingredients you wouldn't find in your kitchen. Do you eat much ultra-processed food, Pippa, or do you try to avoid it?

Pippa

I used to eat a lot of ultra-processed foods, and now I try to cook everything myself and not eat things like chocolate and snacks all day. How about you?

Phil

I think the same. I try to cook things using just normal ingredients, just so you know what's gone into it.

Pippa

In this episode, we'll be discussing ultra-processed food as well as learning some useful new vocabulary.

Phil

But now I have a question for you, Pippa. Fizzy drinks, like cola and lemonade, are another example of popular ultra-processed foods, but when were fizzy drinks invented? Was it: a) 1772, b) 1872, or c) 1972?

Pippa

Well, I think it was before 1972, but 1772 sounds like too early, so I'm going to say b) 1872.

Phil

We'll find out the answer at the end of the programme. One reason for the popularity of ultra-processed food is convenience. Let's hear more from health reporter Annabel, who talks here with Hannah Gelbart, presenter of BBC World Service's What in the World.

Annabel Rackham

So, I do think convenience – it is the main issue there. And again, with a ready meal, you put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes. It's done. It's hot. It serves you. Whereas, you know, sometimes cooking a fresh meal from scratch – that can take a really long time.

Hannah Gelbart

What's your ultra-processed guilty food?

Annabel Rackham

I'm a chocolate girl. A packet of biscuits – something like that. A cake. That is my... that's my guilty pleasure.

Pippa

Ultra-processed foods like ready meals are convenient. A ready meal is a meal from a supermarket that has already been prepared and can be heated up quickly in a microwave. That's a lot quicker and easier than cooking from scratch – an idiom meaning to do something from the very beginning without using anything that's already been made.

Phil

Even though ultra-processed foods are often unhealthy, they taste good. That's why Annabel calls chocolate her guilty pleasure. A guilty pleasure is something you enjoy but think you shouldn't and feel a little embarrassed about.

Pippa

Ultra-processed food is a tricky topic. We know these foods have been linked to poor health, but at the same time they're cheap, convenient and taste good. So, what should we do? Here's Hannah and Annabel discussing this for BBC programme What in the World:

Hannah Gelbart

Is it OK for me to have a packet of crisps once in a while? Should we be cutting ultra-processed foods out of our diets completely, or is there a way for us to still enjoy them from time to time?

Annabel Rackham

I think the best thing to do is just not to panic. Everything is fine in moderation.

Phil

Hannah asks if it's OK to eat ultra-processed foods once in a while, or from time to time. The phrases once in a while and from time to time mean occasionally – sometimes, but not very often.

Pippa

Annabel replies using the phrase everything in moderation, which advises us that it's best to avoid too much of anything.

Phil

That sounds sensible to me, and it also means I won't feel bad about eating chocolate now and then. OK. Pippa, it's time to reveal the answer to my question. Now, I asked you when fizzy drinks were invented. You said 1872. I'm afraid the correct answer was 1772. Apparently carbonated water was used to try to prevent scurvy on sea voyages.

Pippa

Wow, that is amazing. I wouldn't have thought it was that long ago.

Phil

Right. Let's recap the vocabulary we've learned, starting with ready meal – a meal from a supermarket that has already been prepared so you can heat it up quickly.

Pippa

If you do something from scratch, you do it from the very beginning, without using anything that's already been made.

Phil

A guilty pleasure is something you enjoy but feel guilty or embarrassed about because you think you shouldn't do it.

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BBC Media｜已故女王服饰展即将开幕

Sun, 10 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Exhibition will explore the late Queen's fashion

Across the gallery, mannequin after mannequin is dressed in some of the most memorable outfits of the Queen's life.

Her wedding dress has been painstakingly restored, and there are shows of diplomatic dressing. The 1950s ball gown from her first state visit to America, and a glittering gown for a visit to India, adorned with lotus flower motifs.

Also on display, her peach-coloured dress from the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. Alongside it is a replica created for the stuntman, who was her body double to parachute into the stadium.

Each item tells a story. Many mark significant events in British history. Others show the more private, dressed down moments of a monarch who was an early fashion influencer.

词汇表

gallery [ˈɡæləri] n. 画廊，展厅，美术馆

mannequin [ˈmænɪkɪn] n. （商店橱窗里的）人体模型，服装模特

outfit [ˈaʊtfɪt] n. 全套服装，装束

painstakingly [ˈpeɪnzteɪkɪŋli] adv. 煞费苦心地，精心地，悉心地

diplomatic [ˌdɪpləˈmætɪk] adj. 外交的；有手腕的，有策略的

ball gown [bɔːl ɡaʊn] 舞会礼服，晚礼服

glittering [ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ] adj. 闪闪发光的，华丽的，闪耀的

be adorned with [əˈdɔːnd] 装饰有，点缀着

lotus flower motifs [ˈləʊtəs][məʊˈtiːfs] 莲花图案

on display [dɪˈspleɪ] 展出，陈列

peach-coloured [piːtʃ ˈkʌləd] adj. 桃红色的，桃色的

replica [ˈreplɪkə] n. 复制品，仿制品

stuntman [ˈstʌntmæn] n. 特技演员，替身演员

body double 替身演员

parachute into [ˈpærəʃuːt] 跳伞进入，空降到

dressed down [drest daʊn] adj. 便装的，穿着低调的，穿着随意的

monarch [ˈmɒnək] n. 君主，帝王

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BBC Media｜一种能帮助清洁水质的 “超级英雄” 牡蛎

Fri, 08 May 2026 00:48:19 GMT

The 'superhero' oyster species helping to clean water

There were oyster reefs in Belfast Lough until the early 20th century, when overfishing and pollution all but destroyed them.

Over the last four years, oyster nurseries have been set up on the coasts of counties Antrim and Down. Now conservationists have placed 2,000 adult European oysters and more than 30,000 juveniles on the seabed of the lough.

Scientists hope the shellfish will form a natural reef and improve the water quality because they remove pollutants.

Northern Ireland's devolved government is supporting the project. It's led by the charity Ulster Wildlife, which has said the latest stage is a huge step forward in helping to restore a small but mighty ocean superhero.

词汇表

oyster reefs [ˈɔɪstə(r) riːfs] 牡蛎礁（是由大量牡蛎聚集形成的生物礁结构，能净化水质、提供栖息地，稳固海岸线等）

lough [lɒk] n. （爱尔兰）湖，海湾

overfishing [ˌəʊvəˈfɪʃɪŋ] n. 过度捕捞

nursery [ˈnɜːsəri] n. 繁殖场，苗圃

conservationist [ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃənɪst] n. 自然保护主义者，环保主义者

juvenile [ˈdʒuːvənaɪl] n. 幼体，幼年动物

seabed [ˈsiːbed] n. 海底，海床

shellfish [ˈʃelfɪʃ] n. 贝类，甲壳类水生动物

pollutant [pəˈluːtənt] n. 污染物

devolved government [dɪˈvɒlvd] 自治政府，分权政府，权力下放政府

mighty [ˈmaɪti] adj. 强大的，强有力的，巨大的

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Do you really know｜睡得过多对身体有害吗？

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Is oversleeping bad for you?

You're no doubt familiar with what it feels like to be extremely tired after a long sleep. It's a little like a hangover, really, sluggishness, irritability, perhaps a slight headache too, and there's actually a term for those sensations, sleep drunkenness.

According to the sleep foundation, the average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours sleep per night, but optimal sleep duration is unique for each of us. It can vary due to factors like genetics, age, and lifestyle habits.

So bear in mind if people call you a heavy sleeper because you sleep 9 hours every night, that doesn't necessarily mean you're oversleeping. It could just be that's the duration you need.

How do we distinguish between the 2 then?

Oversleeping disturbs our circadian rhythm, which is regulated by a group of 1000s of neurons located in the hypothalamus of the brain. When you keep on sleeping longer than needed, your cells have already begun to send chemical signals to awaken your cognitive and physical functions. That's what leads to daytime drowsiness.

When we're experiencing an excessive need for sleep, daytime sleepiness or chronic exhaustion, we talk about hypersomnia, most often it's caused by a lack of sleep, in which case it's referred to as reactive hypersomnia.

It can also be linked to pathologies such as sleep apnea, or much more rarely narcolepsy, which is characterized by uncontrollable sleep attacks and extreme drowsiness. It can also be associated with Parkinson's disease and depression.

Apart from those specific cases, does oversleeping have any other health consequences?

Sleeping for a long time isn't dangerous as such. But if you sleep more than 10 hours per night and still don't feel rested, it's fair to say your sleep is ineffective, you should book an appointment with your GP to discuss it.

A 2020 Harvard Medical School study suggested that in the long term, obviously, sleeping can lead to memory problems, and increase the risk of developing heart problems, type 2 diabetes and depression. That's also true for people who don't get enough sleep. There you have it.

词汇表

hangover [ˈhæŋəʊvə(r)] n. 宿醉（饮酒过量后的不适反应）

sluggishness [ˈslʌɡɪʃnəs] n. 迟缓，呆滞，昏沉

irritability [ˌɪrɪtəˈbɪləti] n. 易怒，烦躁

sleep drunkenness [ˈdrʌŋkənnəs] 睡醉（睡太久醒来后的昏沉状态）

optimal sleep duration [ˈɒptɪməl sliːp djʊˈreɪʃn] 最佳睡眠时长

genetics [dʒəˈnetɪks] n. 遗传学，遗传特征

heavy sleeper 嗜睡者，酣睡者，睡得沉的人

oversleep [ˌəʊvəˈsliːp] vi. 睡过头，睡得太久

circadian rhythm [sɜːˈkeɪdiən] 昼夜节律，生物钟

neuron [ˈnjʊərɒn] n. 神经元，神经细胞

hypothalamus [ˌhaɪpəˈθæləməs] n. 下丘脑（大脑中调节体温、饥饿、睡眠等的区域）

drowsiness [ˈdraʊzinəs] n. 困倦，睡意，嗜睡

hypersomnia [ˌhaɪpəˈsɒmniə] n. 嗜睡症，睡眠过度

reactive hypersomnia [riˈæktɪv ˌhaɪpəˈsɒmniə] 反应性嗜睡症（由睡眠不足引起的过度嗜睡）

pathology [pəˈθɒlədʒi] n. 病理学，病状

sleep apnea [ˈæpniə] 睡眠呼吸暂停（睡眠时呼吸反复停止的病症）

narcolepsy [ˈnɑːkəlepsi] 发作性睡病，嗜睡症（一种无法控制的突发性睡眠障碍）

Parkinson's disease [ˈpɑːkɪnsənz dɪˈziːz] 帕金森病（神经系统退行性疾病）

GP 全科医生（General Practitioner）

type 2 diabetes [ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz] 2型糖尿病

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BBC随身英语｜成长环境会影响人的性格吗？

Wed, 06 May 2026 06:39:54 GMT

Does where you grow up shape your personality?

Would you be the same person if you'd grown up in different surroundings? How might you be different if you'd grown up in an urban versus a rural environment, or in a different country altogether?

This is the age-old, nature-nurture debate that has had people pondering for many years. Is your personality written in your genes or shaped by your experience? Most experts agree that it is a combination of both. Let's hear about ways this can be put to the test.

A common way is to study twin pairs, because if personality came only from genes, you might expect identical twins to have the same, or a very similar, personality. Research called 'Meta-analysis of the heritability of human traits based on fifty years of twin studies' looked at 14 million twin pairs in 39 countries.

Do identical twins, who share almost identical DNA, have more similar personalities than non-identical twins, who share about half? By comparing the two, the authors concluded that about 50% of the differences between people can be explained by genetic factors, meaning that our genes play a significant role in shaping who we are, but our environment and experiences are just as important.

Other studies looked to see whether personality traits were more prevalent in certain geographical regions than in others. For example, in a 2015 study called 'Regional Personality Differences in Great Britain', researchers investigated how the 'Big Five' personality traits, which include extraversion, openness and agreeableness, were geographically distributed.

They found there were areas where each trait was more prevalent. For example, agreeableness, which is about friendliness and trust, was more prevalent in the Scottish Highlands and Northern England – more rural areas with lower population densities.

Whereas openness, which is associated with curiosity and intellect, was more prevalent in urban, densely populated areas like London, Manchester and Brighton, suggesting that a person's environment can help to foster various traits.

While our DNA provides a starting point, it is only part of the jigsaw puzzle that makes our personality. As we go through life, we encounter obstacles, we make mistakes, and we learn what we enjoy through experience – all of which can change how we interact with the world.

词汇表

age-old adj. 古老的，由来已久的

nature-nurture debate [ˈnɜːtʃə] 先天与后天之争

ponder [ˈpɒndə] v. 沉思，琢磨，仔细考虑

gene [dʒiːn] n. 基因，遗传因子

identical twins [aɪˈdentɪkl twɪnz] 同卵双胞胎

meta-analysis [ˌmetə əˈnæləsɪs] n. 元分析，统合分析（对多项研究结果的统计分析）

heritability [ˌherɪtəˈbɪlɪti] n. 遗传可能性，遗传性，遗传力

non-identical twins [ˌnɒn aɪˈdentɪkl twɪnz] 异卵双胞胎

genetic [dʒəˈnetɪk] adj. 基因的，遗传的

prevalent [ˈprevələnt] adj. 普遍的，流行的，盛行的

geographical regions [ˌdʒiːəˈɡræfɪkl ˈriːdʒənz] 地理区域

'Big Five' personality traits 大五人格特质

extraversion [ˌekstrəˈvɜːʃn] n. 外向性，外倾性

agreeableness [əˈɡriːəblnəs] n. 宜人性，亲和力

population density [ˈdensɪti] 人口密度

densely populated [ˈdensli ˈpɒpjʊleɪtɪd] 人口密集的

foster [ˈfɒstə] vt. 培养，促进

jigsaw puzzle [ˈdʒɪɡsɔː] 拼图（游戏）

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BBC六分钟英语｜为什么我们都压力这么大？

Sat, 02 May 2026 02:02:54 GMT

Why are we all so stressed

Neil

Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil.

Becca

And I'm Becca. Worrying about work or exams, war and climate change in the news - it's no wonder that modern life is stressful. What makes you stress, Neil?

Neil

Oh, good question. I think not having enough time to do something, that really makes me stressed out. How about you?

Becca

Um. When I'm trying to do something that I've never tried before and I'm not very good at it, that makes me feel really stressed.

Neil

I find that stressful, too.

Becca

And how do you cope with stressful situations, Neil?

Neil

Well, I try to slow down, uh, pause, take a breath and think, 'at some point, probably later today, everything will be okay again.' How about you?

Becca

Yeah, same. But in my mind, I'm telling myself that, 'I will be better at what I'm doing. I just need to practise more.'

Neil

Hmm. Many young people who feel stressed about the modern world use the word overwhelm to describe their feelings. And overwhelm was also the topic of a recent BBC World Service programme, What in the World. Here's Iqra Farooq and Claudia Hammond.

Claudia Hammond

So, overwhelm is an emotional state where you are struggling with your current situation. So, you might feel overloaded, you might feel you can't cope, and that might be a temporary thing, hopefully. But if it's not in the longer term, if that becomes more of a kind of chronic kind of stress, then that that might lead to burnout in the end.

Becca

Feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope with life can become chronic, meaning that it lasts for a long time. Overwhelm can lead to burnout, mental or physical exhaustion caused by working too hard.

Neil

So how can we manage the stress in our lives and feel happier and healthier? That's what we'll be discussing in this episode, along with some useful new words and phrases.

Becca

But before we start, I have a question for you, Neil. One simple way of combating stress is taking time to rest. So, according to research conducted by BBC presenter and psychologist Claudia Hammond, which activity is thought to be the most restful? Is it: a) reading for pleasure, b) walking in nature, or c) listening to music?

Neil

Well, I think they're all quite relaxing, but I'm gonna guess b) walking in nature.

Becca

I'm surprised, Neil! I know you love music. And we'll find out the answer later. One of the most stressful things facing many young people is exams. Here, Claudia Hammond offers some advice for managing exam stress to BBC World Service's What in the World:

Claudia Hammond

…particularly in the exam itself, if you feel stressed, then just knowing that you may well perform better while you're stressed, that this… it concentrates the mind, it sharpens and you know nerves sharpen your thinking and allow you to really do your best.

Neil

It's normal to feel nerves before an exam. Nerves is an informal word for worry or anxiety, but according to Claudia, nerves aren't necessarily bad.

Becca

Yes, nerves can help concentrate the mind. The phrase concentrate or sharpen the mind means to think more clearly about something, like an actor or an athlete feeling nerves before a big performance can help them do their best.

Neil

Claudia recommends other ways to reduce stress as well. These include slowing down and accepting that it's ok to be 'good enough' rather than always trying for perfection. Here, she shares more top tips with Iqra Farooq for BBC World Service's What in the World:

Iqra Farooq

I guess it's - there's no one-size-fits-all as well, when it comes to this. So, if someone's listening and thinking, 'I want some top tips on just feeling overwhelmed generally in my life,' what would you say to them?

Claudia Hammond

So, first I would say accept that your to-do list is never going to end, it's always going to be there. So, even I know that might sound defeatist, but even if you get to the end of it today, tomorrow there will be something else on it. And that's just life, and that is just signs of a busy life.

Becca

There are many ways to combat stress, not a one-size-fits-all solution. The phrase, one-size-fits-all, describes trying to apply the same solution to many different problems.

Neil

Claudia's final piece of advice is don't worry too much about your to-do-list, the list of all the items you have to do. Why? Because it never ends. Every day there will be something new to add to the list. So, why stress?

Becca

Some good advice there, Neil. I think I'll try these techniques next time I feel stressed. And, speaking of ways to de-stress reminds me of my question I asked you earlier. According to research conducted by BBC presenter and psychologist Claudia Hammond, which activity is thought of to be the most restful? And you answered b) walking in nature. Unfortunately, Neil, the answer is a) reading.

Neil

Ah well, reading is really relaxing as well.

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BBC Media｜研究发现：雌性友谊对大猩猩种群意义重大

Sat, 02 May 2026 02:01:35 GMT

Female friendship important to gorillas

Moving from one group to another is something that shapes both gorilla and human society.

To understand more about its evolutionary origins, researchers studied decades of data on mountain gorillas in the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, an area that's been monitored by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund since the 60s.

The research team tracked the dispersal of 56 different female gorillas over the years. They discovered that the animals tended to join groups with females they knew, friends they'd grown up with or females that they'd made a social connection with more recently.

Even if two females had been apart for many years they'd often reunite when an animal moved groups. The scientists say this shows that the relationship between two female gorillas is much more socially significant than previously thought.

词汇表

gorilla [gəˈrɪlə] n. （非洲的）大猩猩

evolutionary origins [ˌiːvəˈluːʃənəri ˈɒrɪdʒɪnz] 进化起源

Volcanoes National Park [vɒlˈkeɪnəʊz] （卢旺达）火山国家公园

Rwanda [ruˈændə] n. 卢旺达（非洲中部国家）

monitor [ˈmɒnɪtə] vt. 监测，监控

dispersal [dɪˈspɜːsəl] n. 分布，扩散，散布

reunite [ˌriːjuːˈnaɪt] vi. 重逢，团聚，再结合

socially significant 具有社会意义的

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BBC随身英语｜动物也有情感吗？

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Do animals have emotions?

When you encounter animals, do you wonder what they're thinking? Seeing a newborn lamb or a cute puppy might stir up happy emotions in us, but what are they thinking? Does the look on their face and how they behave indicate how they're feeling – or are they feeling nothing at all?

Humans have a complex range of emotions, but it's hard to tell what's going on inside the heads of animals, mainly because they can't verbalise their feelings. Perhaps it's pets we think we understand most – as they are the animals we spend a lot of time with and therefore get to know best.

Some of us own dogs because they are good companions, are loyal and seem to connect with us. We might even think they love us, although love could just be a human emotion.

Professor Kim Bard, an expert in comparative developmental psychology from the University of Portsmouth, told the BBC: "We have a few studies now that actually show, scientifically… that some dogs will respond with empathetic concern when their owner – but not a stranger – pretends to cry." The empathetic ability of cats, however, is harder to work out.

Other non-domesticated animals might have feelings too. Giraffes and whales, for example, are known to experience grief when someone in their group dies. Farm animals we often eat, such as cows and chickens, are also believed to experience pain, joy and other emotions. Their wellbeing is now taken into consideration more. And in the UK, new legislation means all vertebrate animals and crustaceans will be recognised in law as sentient beings.

It's believed even tiny creatures like insects might have emotions as well. Research is beginning to show they experience a wide range of feelings. Writing for BBC Future website, Zaria Gorvett says "they can be optimistic, cynical, or frightened, and respond to pain just like any mammal would."

Dr Barbara J King, Emerita Professor of Anthropology at the College of William and Mary, told the BBC: "If we understand the profound depths of emotions animals can feel, this should make us question the existence of zoos and slaughterhouses around the world, and rethink those systems."

It does seem all creatures feel emotion, but what is not clear is do they feel the same way as us?

词汇表
newborn [ˈnjuːbɔːn] adj. 新生的，初生的
lamb [læm] n. 小羊，羔羊
puppy [ˈpʌpi] n. 小狗，幼犬
stir up [stɜː(r)] 激起，唤起（情感等）
verbalise [ˈvɜːbəlaɪz] vt./vi. 用言语表达，说出
companion [kəmˈpæniən] n. 伴侣，伙伴
empathetic [ˌempəˈθetɪk] adj. 共情的，有同理心的，感同身受的
non-domesticated [nɒn dəˈmestɪkeɪtɪd] adj. 非驯养的，野生的
grief [ɡriːf] n. 悲伤，悲痛
vertebrate [ˈvɜːtɪbrət] n. 脊椎动物
crustacean [krʌˈsteɪʃn] n. 甲壳类动物（如蟹、虾）
sentient [ˈsentiənt] adj. 有感知能力的，有知觉的
cynical [ˈsɪnɪkl] adj. 愤世嫉俗的，怀疑的，悲观的
mammal [ˈmæml] n. 哺乳动物
profound depths [prəˈfaʊnd depθs] 极深处，深邃之处
slaughterhouse [ˈslɔːtəhaʊs] n. 屠宰场

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BBC News｜“数字化”的瑞典为何回归“纸质化”教学？

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Why Sweden is swapping screens for paper

Host: Now, Sweden is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. In its classrooms, laptops and tablets for every pupil have been the norm for almost a decade. But now schools are pivoting back to physical books, pens and paper.

This is a move that's attracting criticism from tech companies who say it could impact pupils' employment prospects and even damage the Nordic nation's economy. Maddy Savage reports now from Stikla, which is just outside Stockholm.

Maddy: In this former industrial suburb near Stockholm, high school pupils are unpacking laptops alongside things that weren't around as much a few years ago, physical books and printed coursework. Here's Alexis and Ludwig, who are 18 and in their final year.

Alexis: In some classes, for example mathematics, I've noticed we've used more books during the later years than computers.

Maddy: What about you?

Ludwig: For me, there's definitely been a big change. So basically my whole life I've been using tablets, computers, phones. When we have a pencil and a paper and a book, you need to do it all yourself.

Karina: My name is Karina Mikko. I teach English and Spanish. So, 15 years ago, the government said, use laptops. Now we're in the digital era in Sweden. Whereas now, we're going more towards the 60s again. It is more books, pens, papers.

Maddy: This U-turn in one of the world's most digital societies started here at Sweden's parliament. In 2023, a new right-wing coalition made this announcement.

Från skärm till pärm. It's a catchy rhyme in Swedish, and in English, it translates to from screen to binder. Ministers asked teachers to cut screen time for school pupils and reversed the requirement for preschools to use digital devices. Changes to the school curriculum are due in 2028, designed to support more textbook-based learning.

Joar: My name is Joar Forssell, and we're in the Swedish parliament, just outside the chamber.

Maddy: Joar is education spokesperson for the Liberal Party, which oversees Sweden's education ministry. He says the change is being driven by academic research about screens' potential to distract pupils, impact how they process information, and even affect brain development.

Joar: I think Sweden is usually early adopters. We think that's a competitive edge for Sweden. So I think we jumped on that train very, very fast. That was a mistake, but we're changing it back.

Maddy: Schools have been given extra money to buy textbooks and asked to employ librarians again. And mobile phones are set to be banned from all classrooms from this August.

The government hopes the approach can help reverse Sweden's tumbling test scores in the world's largest school survey, PISA, run by the OECD.

But the dramatic shift is attracting some criticism in this tech-savvy nation. Last year, 27 education and computer science academics wrote a newspaper column arguing that a strong digital curriculum is essential, even for primary school pupils.

Critics also argue the back-to-books policy is a distraction from other issues that could be impacting school results, like teacher training, the marketisation of some schools and rising inequality and segregation.

Back at the school in Sikla, teacher Karina says many of her pupils are more focused in lessons without laptops, but she's calling for more nuanced debates.

Karina: There's been so many rash decisions now and in the past where we either embrace digitalization or we exclude it completely and I don't believe in either.

词汇表
swap [swɒp] vt./vi. 交换，替换
laptop [ˈlæptɒp] n. 笔记本电脑
tablet [ˈtæblət] n. 平板电脑
pupil [ˈpjuːpl] n. 学生，（尤指）小学生
norm [nɔːm] n. 常态，标准，规范
pivot back to [ˈpɪvət] 重新转向，回归，回到
employment prospects [ˈprɒspekts] 就业前景
Nordic nation [ˈnɔːdɪk] 北欧国家
industrial suburb [ɪnˈdʌstriəl ˈsʌbɜːb] 工业郊区
unpack [ʌnˈpæk] vt. 打开（包裹），取出（物品）
printed coursework [ˈprɪntɪd ˈkɔːswɜːk] 打印的课程作业
U-turn [ˈjuː tɜːn] n. （政策等的）大逆转，180度转变
right-wing coalition [ˌraɪt ˈwɪŋ ˌkəʊəˈlɪʃn] 右翼联盟，右翼联合政府
catchy rhyme [ˈkætʃi raɪm] n. 朗朗上口的押韵（词句），好记的顺口溜
binder [ˈbaɪndə(r)] n. 活页夹，文件夹
chamber [ˈtʃeɪmbə(r)] n. 议事厅，会议厅
oversee [ˌəʊvəˈsiː] vt. 监管，监督，监察
early adopter（新科技等的）早期采用者
competitive edge 竞争优势
tumbling [ˈtʌmblɪŋ] adj. 持续下滑的，骤降的，暴跌的
PISA [ˈpiːsə] n. 国际学生评估项目（Programme for International Student Assessment）
tech-savvy [ˈtek sævi] adj. 精通科技的，懂科技的
marketisation [ˌmɑːkɪtaɪˈzeɪʃn] n. 市场化
segregation [ˌseɡrɪˈɡeɪʃn] n. 种族隔离；隔离，分离
nuanced [ˈnjuːɑːnst] adj. 细致的，微妙的
rash [ræʃ] adj. 草率的，鲁莽的
digitalization [ˌdɪdʒɪtəlaɪˈzeɪʃn] n. 数字化
exclude [ɪkˈskluːd] vt. 排斥，排除在外，拒绝

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BBC随身英语｜我们真的需要8小时睡眠吗？

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Do we really need 8 hours' sleep?

Charles Darwin once said "A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life". If you live one hundred years, that only equates to twelve-hundred months – and when you break it down even further into days, hours and minutes, it gets more frightening.

Why is this relevant? Well, quite simply put: life is short. Spending eight hours every day in a slumber means you're losing a third of your life to bed. So, the question is: is eight hours the exact amount we need, or is it just a myth?

While most scientists agree that between seven and nine hours a night is the optimal amount, this is just a rough estimate. In truth, it's a little more complicated than that. It seems that the amount of sleep you need depends upon your age – with infants needing much more than adults. What does seem apparent is that around seven and a half hours' sleep is a good amount.

In a study conducted at the University of Surrey Sleep Research Centre, the effects of sleep were monitored. One group slept for six and a half and the other for seven and a half hours per night. While some findings were predictable – irritation and lower concentration in the group who slept less, there were some more surprising findings.

The genes of people who had less sleep were affected. Genes associated with inflammation, the immune system and stress response became more active. The team also observed increases in the activity of genes related to diabetes and risk of cancer.

One of the biggest issues is that myths regarding sleep are constantly perpetuated. For example, have you ever heard that you can train yourself to need less or no sleep? It's simply not true.

We will always need a certain amount of sleep – eight hours might not be the exact sweet spot, and there are factors like age to take into consideration, but one thing is true – there is a certain amount we do actually need.

词汇表
equate to [ɪˈkweɪt] 等同于，相当于
break it down into 将…分解为，细分为，拆分为
slumber [ˈslʌmbə] n. 睡眠，安睡，沉睡
myth [mɪθ] n. 迷思，误区，错误观念
optimal [ˈɒptɪməl] adj. 最佳的，最理想的
rough estimate [rʌf ˈestɪmət] 粗略估算，大致估计
monitor [ˈmɒnɪtə] vt. 监测，监控
predictable [prɪˈdɪktəbəl] adj. 可预料的，意料之中的
irritation [ˌɪrɪˈteɪʃən] n. 易怒，烦躁，恼怒
gene [dʒiːn] n. 基因
inflammation [ˌɪnfləˈmeɪʃən] n. 炎症，发炎
immune system [ɪˈmjuːn] 免疫系统
diabetes [ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz] n. 糖尿病
perpetuate [pəˈpetʃueɪt] vt. 使持续，使永久化，传播（不好的事物）
sweet spot 最佳点，最佳状态，理想状态

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Do you really know｜什么是“爱好约会”？

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

What is hobby dating?

Perhaps you've already experienced that awkward feeling on a 1st date when you don't really know what to say to each other. Having a drink or going to a restaurant are great activities, but they don't always add much to the conversation.

So if you run out of questions, you're often just left staring into each other's eyes and hoping for an opportunity to arise so that you might make a quick getaway. But this might be soon a thing of the past, with the rise of the hobby date. In other words, a date organized around an activity.

What does this involve?

The idea is to introduce your date to something that you already enjoy and share the experience together. This can take completely different forms depending on each person's taste. It might be a cultural outing to a museum, a hike in nature, an arts and crafts class or even a cookery lesson.

The idea is to choose an activity that you love or are curious about, and then invite your partner to take part in it with you. Let's say you book a beginner painting course. It's fun, creative, and creates an opportunity for you to have a shared experience, and so, as well as creating a new memory together, it also allows you to see your date in a different context to the usual 1st date venue.

Didn't this already exist before?

Yes, hobby dating is not new, but it has seen a surge in popularity, and that might be down to COVID. During the various confinements, many people experimented with new activities as a way of keeping themselves busy and passing the time. But although the lockdown ended, our interest in our new hobbies continued.

Namie Walkland, the vice president of Bumble in Europe, noticed that before the pandemic, the norm was to meet up in a bar or cafe, but that nowadays, people are keen to share their interests from the get go.

Consequently on Bumble, the dating app, you can now indicate what your hobbies are. So whether you're into cookery, photography, or crafting, you can share your interests with your potential partner and hopefully avoid those awkward 1st dates.

Do some activities stand out?

Yes and no. It depends on the country and the kind of place people are meeting, in cities, cultural events are very popular, and those living in nature, choose more sporty events. In the USA, hobbies such as DIY, arts and crafts, and board games have seen the biggest rise in popularity. There you have it.

词汇表
getaway [ˈɡetəweɪ] n. 逃离，逃离，脱身
hobby date 爱好约会（以共同兴趣活动为主的约会方式）
outing [ˈaʊtɪŋ] n. 短途旅行，外出游玩
arts and crafts 手工艺，工艺美术
cookery [ˈkʊkəri] n. 烹饪，烹调
venue [ˈvenjuː] n. 场所，聚会地点
surge in popularity [sɜːdʒ] 人气飙升，迅速走红
be down to 归因于，由于
confinement [kənˈfaɪnmənt] n. 封锁，禁闭，限制
pass the time 消磨时间，打发时间
lockdown [ˈlɒkdaʊn] n. 封锁，禁闭
norm [nɔːm] n. 常态，规范，惯例
be keen to [kiːn] 热衷于，渴望
indicate [ˈɪndɪkeɪt] vt. 表明，标示，显示
stand out 突出，显眼，引人注目
board games 棋盘游戏，桌游

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BBC六分钟英语｜你能学会爱上讨厌的食物吗？

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Can you learn to love the foods you hate?

Neil
Hello. This is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil.

Becca
And I'm Becca. Neil, are there any foods that you used to really hate in the past but now don't mind?

Neil
Yes, actually. There's a Japanese food called umeboshi which, when I first tried it, I really didn't like. But after a while, I got used to it and actually, now, I really love it. How about you?

Becca
A similar story to me with olives. I used to really hate olives but, as I've grown older, I've also grown to love them.

Neil
Well, in this episode, we'll be learning from food experts about why there are some foods we just hate, and whether it's possible to learn to love them.

OK, the question for you, Becca. What word means to have a fear of new things, such as trying new foods? Is it: a) aerophobia, b) claustrophobia, or c) neophobia?

Becca
Well, Neil, I'll go for c) neophobia, because neo sounds like 'new'.

Neil
That's clever thinking but let's see. Now though, back to food. Some experts have said that we can teach ourselves to like new things. Ruth Alexander asks Dr Dana Small of McGill University where our dislike of certain foods comes from in this BBC World Service programme, The Food Chain.

Ruth Alexander
Are food dislikes learned or genetic, hard-wired in some way?

Dr Dana Small
Ah, both! So, there's many reasons why you can dislike a food. For example, you could, via genetics, smell coriander or taste coriander differently. Uh so, that's genetic. But there's also a really strong learning component.

Becca
Dana explains that how we taste or smell something can be different depending on our genetics. However, how we taste or smell something can also be learnt.

Neil
Ruth asked if a dislike for certain food is hard-wired, and Dana confirmed that this is sometimes the case. The adjective hard-wired describes automatically thinking or behaving in a particular way, for instance, because it's genetic.

Becca
And Dana says that you could taste food differently to others via genetics. The preposition via means by the way of or by the use of. For example, I get to work via a train.

Neil
So, there are lots of different reasons why we dislike some foods, but can we change that? Let's listen to Dietitian Claire Thornton Wood explaining on the BBC World Service programme, The Food Chain.

Claire Thornton Wood
One of the really good techniques that we might use is something called masking, where you dip a food that you don't like into something that you do like. For those parents who really say they like everything, we actually get chocolate-covered insects and we offer those and actually people do eat them and try them.

And I think it's the concept that it's an insect, but usually they find that once they eat it, there isn't anything inherently unpleasant about it. It's a little bit like eating just a bit of crunchy chocolate.

Becca
Claire uses masking. Masking is the act of stopping something from being seen. In Claire's clinic, she masks the disliked foods with something that is liked.

Neil
Yes, and what parents usually find out is that the food they dislike isn't inherently bad. The adverb inherently describes something that exists in a way which is natural or essential. So, insects aren't inherently unpleasant to eat, some of us think they are because the concept of eating them could be strange to us culturally.

Becca
We talked about how people sometimes fear trying new food. Claire talks about where these fears might come from.

Claire Thorton Wood
For instance, just say that you had eaten prawns in the past and you had become unwell from eating them, you know, you had what you call a dodgy prawn. There's a good chance that you might actually associate that with eating the prawn and think, oh, I don't want to eat the prawn again because it's going to make me unwell. So, that's a sort of fear-based avoidance.

Neil
Claire said that you're likely to have a fear of a food if you've had a bad experience with it. She uses the example of eating a dodgy prawn, which would make you unwell. If something is dodgy, it's generally bad or has a bad reputation. But when we talk about food, it could mean that it's undercooked, old or has been left out, therefore making you sick.

Becca
In fact, we may avoid dodgy things. To avoid is to keep away from something. So, avoidance is the act of keeping away. Now, Neil, that reminds me of the question you asked earlier.

Neil
Ah yes. I asked you what word means to have a fear of new things, and you answered c) neophobia. And, Becca, I'm pleased to say your answer was correct!

Becca
So, my thinking was right! That's great. Now let's have a recap of the language we've learnt in this episode, starting with hard-wired, which describes automatically thinking or behaving in a particular way, because of genetics, for example.

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