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The Reading Room - What happens when your job is just too boring?
08/12/26, 12:00 AM
Nov 10, 2025 - What happens when your job is just too boring?

Questions
1. eacd
2. acbaa
3. burnout, rust out, monotonous, watching, self-awareness
Vocabulary
1. burnout - n. 燃烧；（电器设备）故障或过热；（工作压力或过度劳累导致的）倦怠或崩溃；exhaustion caused by stress or over work；蚀刻图案（纺织方法）
2. rust out - 生锈 boredom caused by work that is not challenging enough
3. repetitive - adj. 重复性的 something done again and again that doesn’t change
4. monotonous (注意重音在 n ) - adj. 单调的、无变化的 boring, without variety
5. dread - v. 畏惧 to feel fear or worry about something n. 恐惧；留脏辫( dreadlocks )的人 adj. 可怕的
6. clock-watching - continually checking to see if it is time to stop work yet
7. apathetic - adj. 漠不关心的、麻木的、冷漠的 having no feelings or interest towards something
8. disengaged - having little interest in something that you are doing
9. self-awareness - knowing your own positive and negative qualities
10. suited - having features that make something good for a particular purpose or person
The Reading Room - When sandwiches are not so simple
08/10/26, 12:00 AM
May 14, 2026 - When sandwiches are not so simple

Questions
1. a
2. caacc
3. get your hands on, gourmet, thoughtfully, trendy, accessible
Vocabulary
1. ultimate - adj. 最终的 n. 终极品，最佳品，极品；最终的事实或原则
2. convenience food - food that is quick and easy to prepare
3. humble - adj. 谦卑的；低微的；朴素的、普通的 simple and ordinary v. 使地位低下
4. sarnie - a sandwich (British informal word)
5. keen - adj. （感知）敏锐的；（边缘）锐利的；有热情的 v. （为死者）哀嚎、哭泣 n. 爱尔兰葬歌
6. get your hands on - get or obtain something
7. gourmet - n. 美食家；美味佳肴 high quality and often expensive food
8. Michelin-starred - awarded stars for excellent cooking by the Michelin Guide
9. fine-dining - elegant and expensive restaurant dining
10. source - n. 源头、来源 v. 从特定来源获取、以…为来源 get something from a place or supplier
11. boast - v. 自夸、吹嘘；（某人、某地或某物）具有（令人自豪的特质）proudly have or show something good n. 自夸、吹嘘；（壁球运动中）一种击球方式，使球在击中前墙之前先击中侧墙。
12. accessible - easy to get, reach, or use
13. enticing - attractive and tempting = tempting, tantalizing
  
  entice - v. 吸引、诱惑
14. trendy - fashionable and popular
15. thoughtfully - done with care and attention
16. munch v. 大声咀嚼
The Listening Room - Are rocks discovered on Mars a sign of potential past life?
08/08/26, 12:00 AM
May 26, 2026 - Are rocks discovered on Mars a sign of potential past life?

Questions
1. b
2. a(b)cba
3. sort(thought) to be; could be (have been)
Dictation
1. Nasa’s Perseverance Rover has (been) the past 4 years (explorering) (the) area of Mars called the Jezero Crater.
  - Nasa’s Perseverance Rover has spent the past four years exploring an area of Mars called the Jezero Crater.
2. It is dry and dusty. But billions of years ago it () thought to be an ancient lake with a river (flowed) into it.
  - It’s dry and dusty, but billions of years ago, it was thought to be an ancient lake with a river flowing into it.
3. The (intrigue) (found rocks) on (river beds). They have a unusual ringed (markers) nicknamed leopard spots by () researchers and black dots the team are calling poppy seeds.
  - The intriguing rocks were found on the riverbed. They have unusual ringed markings, nicknamed ‘leopard spots’ by the researchers, and black dots the team are calling ‘poppy seeds’.
4. () minerals, () the scientists think (it) could (be) produced by chemical reactions (associate) with (micros).
  - These features are actually minerals, and the scientists think they could have been produced by chemical reactions associated with microbes.
5. Life isn’t the only possible explanation. The minerals could () be made by natural geological processes.
  - Life isn’t the only possible explanation. The minerals could have been made by natural geological processes.
6. The only way to find out for sure is to bring the rocks back to (earth) for analysis.
  - The only way to find out for sure is to bring the rocks back to Earth for analysis.
7. Missions to return samples (back) have been proposed, but there is uncertainty, because () the proposed (cut) (the) Nasa’s budget.
  - Missions to return samples have been proposed, but there’s uncertainty because of the proposed cuts to Nasa’s budget.
8. (Well) there’s still much to find out these rocks are (tantelizing). () The finding (of astronomy) ()Nasa’s criteria for potential bio-signatures Features (are warn) (determine investigation) if (there really are the) sign of life.
  - While there’s still much to find out, these rocks are tantalising, and the findings are strong enough to meet Nasa’a criteria for potential biosignatures, features that warrant further investigation to determine if they really are a sign of life.
Vocabulary
1. perseverance n. 毅力、恒心
  
  persevere v. 坚持不懈
  
  preserve v. 保存（原始状态完好） n. 果酱；自留地、专属领域
  
  conserve v. 保护、保存（免受伤害） n. 果酱
  
  reserve v. 保留、备用 n. 储量、储备；后备军；替补运动员；备用地点；保留的仪态（举止或表达上缺乏热情或坦诚）；保留原色的区域（在纺织品或陶瓷上）
  
  deserve v. 值得、应得
  
  observe v. 观察、注意到；发表意见、说道；履行或遵守（社会、法律、道德或宗教义务）
  
  serve v. 服务、供职；侍应、服侍、提供（食物、酒水）；正式送达（法律文书）；（挥拍类运动）发球；（航海）用细绳捆扎加固；（军队）用（枪） n. （挥拍类运动）击球的动作
2. rover n. 漫游者；自由人（运动）；全地形车
3. crater n. 陨石坑、炮弹坑；大碗 v. 形成大坑
4. intrigue v. 引起好奇；搞阴谋诡计 n. 阴谋诡计；神秘、迷人的特质
5. nicknamed - given an informal or special name
6. leopard spots - 豹纹、豹斑（注意豹的发音，o不发音，a发e）
7. poppy - n. 罂粟 adj. （流行音乐）吸引人的
8. microbes - n. 微生物 tiny living things, like bacteria, too small to see without a microscope
9. budget - a plan for how much money can be spent
10. tantalising - adj. 诱人的、撩人的 very exciting or tempting
  
  tantalize v. 吸引、吊胃口
11. biosignatures - signs that may show life existed or exists
12. warrant - give a good or deserving reason for something
Transcript

Nasa’s Perseverance Rover has spent the past four years exploring an area of Mars called the Jezero Crater. It’s dry and dusty, but billions of years ago, it was thought to be an ancient lake with a river flowing into it.

The intriguing rocks were found on the riverbed. They have unusual ringed markings, nicknamed ‘leopard spots’ by the researchers, and black dots the team are calling ‘poppy seeds’. These features are actually minerals, and the scientists think they could have been produced by chemical reactions associated with microbes.

Life isn’t the only possible explanation. The minerals could have been made by natural geological processes. The only way to find out for sure is to bring the rocks back to Earth for analysis. Missions to return samples have been proposed, but there’s uncertainty because of the proposed cuts to Nasa’s budget.

While there’s still much to find out, these rocks are tantalising, and the findings are strong enough to meet Nasa’a criteria for potential biosignatures, features that warrant further investigation to determine if they are a sign of life.
The Listening Room - Five new British seabird species at risk
08/07/26, 12:00 AM
May 28, 2026 - Five new British seabird species at risk

Questions
1. a
2. cbbc(b)
3. on clifftop (on cliff tops); the highest level
Dictation
1. Britain’s miles of coastline () a home to globally important seabird colonies with more than 20 different species breeding on cliff tops (all far region) out (of) sea.
  - Britain’s miles of coastline are home to globally important seabird colonies, with more than 20 different species breeding on cliff tops or foraging out at sea.
2. But many populations are in trouble hit by multiple pressures from climate change to overfishing.
3. In the latest health check of seabirds, conservation groups have added 5 more species to the red list of British birds facing the highest level of conservation concern.
4. () additions (to) the (arctic) tern, the giant skua, the little-known (linch) storm (petron) and two types of gull: the common gull and (the) great black-backed gull.
  - The new additions are the Arctic tern, the giant skua, the little-known Leach’s storm petrel and two types of gull – the common gull and great blackbacked gull.
Vocabulary
1. coastline - n. 海岸线 the land next to the sea
2. colonies - n. 殖民地；殖民；生物聚落 a group of animals, insects, or plants of the same type that live together
3. species - n. 物种；种类注意这个词是单复数同型的 animals or plants that have similar characteristics to each other, part of a group
4. cliff - n. 悬崖 a high area of rock near the coast, often with a very steep side
5. foraging - searching for things to eat and use from the wild, such as in forests
  
  forage - v. 觅食（人或动物）
6. provision
  - n. 供应（行为）；供应（物资）；条款
  - v. 提供物资；预防（财务损失）provision against losses
7. pressures - situations that force you to do something
8. overfishing - catching more fish than is necessary in an area of the sea, so that there aren’t many fish left there
9. health check - an occasion where someone examines health to make sure there are no problems
10. Arctic - adj. 北极的；很冷的 n. 北极
11. tern - n. 燕鸥；一组三个数字，尤其是指彩票大奖（很少用）
12. skua - n. 贼鸥
13. petrel - n. 海燕
14. gull - n. 受骗的人；海鸥 a bird that lives near the coast with black and white or grey and white feathers v. 欺骗、愚弄
15. be your own advocate 为自己争取权益
16. ancillary - adj. 辅助的、附属的 n. 辅助人员
17. dietitian - n. 营养师
18. STBBI - 性传播及血源性感染
19. academic accommodations 学术便利，为特殊需求调整规则或提供工具，如为ADHD提供安静的考场等。
  
  accommodate 本质是为…提供便利、使适应；accommodation 翻译为宿舍本质是为你住宿提供便利的地方
20. convocation date n. 本义是集会日，但常用作毕业典礼。如果是其他类型的集会日，会特别说明，如开学典礼是Opening Convocation 颁奖典礼是 Awards Convocation
  
  commencement ceremony 在北美也是毕业典礼，虽然 commence 是开始、发端的意思，但在过去毕业拿到学位证才是学术生涯的开始，有资格当老师，所以用 commencement
  
  commerce n. 商业、贸易，注意与上面的词区分，不要搞混
21. retroactively adv. 可追溯地
22. maternity n. 孕产；母亲身份
23. paternity n. 父亲身份，一个应用场景是当父亲后需要照顾妻儿请假，就叫 for paternity
24. coronary adj. 冠状动脉的 n. 心梗缩写
25. inpatient n. 住院病人
  
  outpatient n. 门诊病人
26. hospitalize v. 住院
27. reimbursement n. 报销
Transcript

Britain’s miles of coastline are home to globally important seabird colonies, with more than 20 different species breeding on cliff tops or foraging out at sea. But many populations are in trouble, hit by multiple pressures from climate change to overfishing.

In the latest health check of seabirds, conservation groups have added five more species to the red list of British birds facing the highest level of conservation concern. The new additions are the Arctic tern, the giant skua, the little-known Leach’s storm petrel and two types of gull – the common gull and great blackbacked gull.
The Reading Room - How micro-dramas could revolutionise our viewing habits
08/07/26, 12:00 AM
May 14, 2026 - How micro-dramas could revolutionise our viewing habits

Questions
1. c(d)abfc
2. accc(b)b
3. cater unmissable cliffhanger hooked monetisation
Vocabulary
1. time slot - a specific period of time for something
2. take … by storm - become very popular very quickly
3. cater - v. 提供食物；满足需求
  - cater to sb.
  - cater for the need
4. downtime - n. 机器的停机时间，常用于指代人的闲暇时间 free time to relax
5. start-up - a new company or business
6. analytics - data to understand patterns or results
7. unmissable - so good or important that you should not miss it
8. breakup - v. 分手；分成小块；驱散人群；电话中声音断断续续
9. bust-up - n. 关系破裂、冲突、争斗 a serious argument or breakup
10. nuance
  - n. 细微差别 a small but important difference or detail
  - v. 赋予细微差别 give nuances to - “the effect of the music is nuanced by the social situation of listeners”
11. slow-build - developing gradually over time
12. monetisation - n. 变现 making money from something
13. freemium - n. 免费增值模式 a business model where basic use is free but extra features cost money
14. hooked - very interested or unable to stop
15. cliffhanger - n. 悬念 an ending that creates suspense
The Listening Room - Oldest cave art painting
08/06/26, 12:00 AM
Jun 05, 2026 - Oldest cave art painting

Questions
1. c
2. 1. a
  2. a
  3. c
  4. c
3. 1. marking the point
  2. to the view
Dictation
1. Cave art is seen as a key (evolutioning) moment marking the point that humans began to think (truely in) abstract (and) symbolic ways.
  - Cave art is seen as a key evolutionary moment, marking the point that humans began to think in truly abstract, symbolic ways.
2. (A) kind of imagination(,under which is) religion and science.
  - The kind of imagination that underpins language, religion, and science.
3. (European) dating (confirmed) that the latest discovery is more than a thousand years older than the previous (old art work).
  - Uranium dating confirms that the latest discovery is more than a thousand years older than the previous oldest artwork.
4. It adds to the view that there was no single creative (way of) humanity in () small part of Western Europe, which than spread.
  - It adds to the view that there was no single creative awakening for humanity in a small part of Western Europe, which then spread.
5. Rather creativity was (in 8). Evidence () which (is stretched) back to Africa (were our) homo sapiens (involved).
  - Rather, creativity was innate. Evidence for which stretches back to Africa where our species of humans, Homo sapiens, evolved.
Note
1. evolutionary - adj. 进化的；发展的 relating to the gradual development or change of living things over time
2. marking - showing that something important has happened
3. abstract - existing as an idea, not as a physical object
4. symbolic - representing something else, often an idea or concept
5. underpins - v. 支撑、为…提供基础 supports or forms the basic foundation of something
6. dating - finding out how old something is or when it was made
  
  date n. 日期；约会；枣子；枣树 v. 探明日期、断代；表明过时、暴露年龄（sth. dates me）；去约会
7. awakening - a moment of becoming aware of something or gaining new understanding
8. spread - to move or extend over an area or to more people
9. innate - adj. 先天的、天生的、天赋的 something you are born with, not learned
10. stretches back - 追溯到 goes back in time to a particular point in the past
  
  stretch
  - v. 拉长（东西）；拉伸（身体）；绵延（在时间或空间上）；对能力或资源造成很大压力（拉得很长的抽象意思）
  - n. 拉伸身体的动作；一片连续的区域、陆地或水域；加长豪华轿车
11. species - a group of living things that are similar and can reproduce with each other
Transcript

Cave art is seen as a key evolutionary moment, marking the point that humans began to think in truly abstract, symbolic ways. The kind of imagination that underpins language, religion, and science.

Uranium dating confirms that the latest discovery is more than a thousand years older than the previous oldest artwork. It adds to the view that there was no single creative awakening for humanity in a small part of Western Europe, which then spread. Rather, creativity was innate. Evidence for which stretches back to Africa where our species of humans, Homo sapiens, evolved.
The Reading Room - Do birds build their homes like humans?
08/06/26, 12:00 AM
May 18, 2026 - Do birds build their homes like humans?

Questions
1. cfead
2. 1. b
  2. c
  3. a
  4. c
  5. a
3. architecture, passed down, imitating, mate, evolution
Vocabulary
1. hive
  - n. 蜂巢 a home for bees；热闹忙碌的地方
  - v. 将（蜂群）放入蜂巢
2. spin
  - v. 旋转；纺线 (of a web) when spiders make their homes；给出有利解读；用旋转亮片假饵钓鱼
  - n. 旋转；短途自驾（类似开车转一圈）；有利的倾向、解读、偏向
3. beaver
  - n. 河狸；头盔护面
  - v. (非正式) 努力工作
4. dam
  - n. 水坝 a wall built to stop or control water
  - v. 建水坝
  - 缩写 decameter 十米
5. nest - a home built by animals (like birds) for eggs or babies
6. architect - a person who designs buildings
7. weaver - n. 织工；织巢鸟
8. pass down - give something (like traits or knowledge) from parent to child
9. transmit - v. 发送 send something from one place or person to another transit - n. 人或货物的载运，常用 in transit 在运输中
10. trait - a feature or characteristic of a living thing
11. imitate - v. 模仿 to copy someone or something
  
  intimate
  - adj. 亲近的、密切的；私密的
  - n. 亲密的朋友
  - v. 暗示
12. caregiver - who looks after someone else
13. coin
  - n. 硬币
  - v. 通过冲压制造（硬币）；创造或发明（词或短语） to invent a new word or phrase
14. evolution - the slow change of living things over time
15. invasive - adj. 侵入性的 has spread quickly in a new place and caused harm
16. mate - who you choose to reproduce or have babies
17. wren - n. 鹪鹩，一种鸟
The Listening Room - A longer daily walk could be better for your heart than short strolls
08/05/26, 12:00 AM
Jun 12, 2026 - A longer daily walk could be better for your heart than short strolls

Questions
1. b
2. 1. a
  2. b (c)
  3. c (a)
  4. a
3. 1. from 40 to 79
  2. over 8
Dictation
1. The study looked () more than 37,000 adults aged 40 to 79 in the UK who walked fewer than 8,000 steps a day.
  - The study looked at more than 33,000 adults aged 40 to 79 in the UK who walked fewer than 8,000 steps a day.
2. The researchers from the University of Syndeny and the (Univerdato of) in Spain, tracked (the) health over 8 years.
  - The researchers, from the University of Sydney and the Universidad Europea in Spain, tracked their health over eight years.
3. People who walked in longer stretches had a lower risk of heart problems than those who walked in short bursts.
4. Whether (thus,) because (fit) to begin with is not () clear (for) study. but the researches did try to control for this by taken into account factors, such as whether the person (was smoke), (with obesiss) or had high blood pressure.
  - Whether that’s because they were fitter to begin with isn’t fully clear from the study, but the researchers did try to control for this by taking into account factors such as whether the person smoked, was obese or had high blood pressure.
5. Even among the least (stack tips) those who (will attend) 5,000 steps a day, longer walks (appear) to make () difference.
  - Even among the least active, those who walked under 5,000 steps a day, longer walks appeared to make a difference.
Note
1. tracked - to follow a person or animal, usually by using electronic equipment
2. stretches - spread over a large area or distance
3. bursts - a sudden increase in something, usually over a short period
4. taking into account - considering
5. obese - having too much weight in a way that is dangerous for health
Transcript

The study looked at more than 33,000 adults aged 40 to 79 in the UK who walked fewer than 8,000 steps a day. The researchers, from the University of Sydney and the Universidad Europea in Spain, tracked their health over eight years.

People who walked in longer stretches had a lower risk of heart problems than those who walked in short bursts. Whether that’s because they were fitter to begin with isn’t fully clear from the study, but the researchers did try to control for this by taking into account factors such as whether the person smoked, was obese or had high blood pressure.

Even among the least active, those who walked under 5,000 steps a day, longer walks appeared to make a difference.
The Reading Room - Is there life on venus?
08/05/26, 12:00 AM
May 21, 2026 - Is there life on venus?

Questions
1. b
2. 1. c
  2. c (b)
  3. a
  4. a
  5. b
3. 1. organic
  2. inhospitable
  3. immense
  4. geoscience
  5. hint (biochemistry)
Vocabulary

inhospitable - adj. 不宜居的 too difficult for people, animals, or plants to live in

composition - n. 构成、组成 the way something is made up, its parts；作品；排版；和解协议（与债权人）

organic - n. 生命有关的 relating to living things or made from living matter；有机的（食品）；器质性的、器官的；有机的（抽象概念，指组织性）

molecule - n. 分子 a very small group of atoms joined together

radar - n. 雷达 a system that uses radio waves to detect objects and measure distance

lurk - v. 潜伏 stay hidden and wait secretly

prevalent - adj. 流行的、广布的 common, well-known or widespread

shroud - n. 裹尸布；覆盖物；支撑帆船桅杆的绳索 v. 裹尸；遮盖、覆盖 cover or hide something

immense - adj. 巨大的 extremely large or great

highland - n. 高地 an area of high land or mountains

geoscience - n. the study of the Earth, including rocks, climate, and oceans

hint - n. v. 暗示 show a small sign of something or suggest something indirectly

biochemistry - the study of chemical processes in living things

thrive - v. 蓬勃发展 to grow well and be successful or healthy

Notes
1. Venus n. 金星
2. synthetic adj. 化学合成的（模仿天然物质）；综合的（逻辑学上是综合命题，与经验相关；语言学上是综合语言，靠词形变化表达不同意思）n. 化合物
3. aperture n. 光圈、孔、缝隙
4. synthetic aperture radar 合成孔径雷达
  
  它是一种高分辨率成像雷达，主要通过“合成孔径”技术来获得比实际天线大得多的等效天线效果。
  
  核心原理：
  1. 普通雷达的天线越大，分辨率越高。但要把天线做得非常大（几十米甚至上百米）在飞机或卫星上几乎不可能。
  2. 合成孔径雷达利用雷达平台（飞机或卫星）的移动，在飞行过程中不断发射和接收信号。
  3. 通过对这些不同位置接收到的回波进行信号处理，“合成”出一个虚拟的巨大天线（合成孔径），从而获得很高的方位向分辨率。
5. pyroduct 不是个词，由 pyro- 火，和 -duct 管道组成。指代 lava tube
6. sulphur n. 硫
7. orbiter n. 轨道飞行器
8. exotic adj. 异域风情的 n. 外来动植物
The Listening Room - Developing decaffeinated coffee beans
08/04/26, 12:00 AM
Jun 16, 2026 - Developing decaffeinated coffee beans

Questions
1. False
2. 1. b
  2. a (C)
  3. b
  4. a
3. 1. very low
  2. rather lackoff (rather lack of)
Dictation
1. For the last few years, researchers at the (institution of agriculture and Campaigners) in Brazil, have been interbreeding () coffee plants that are naturally very low in (caffein). In order to create trees where (decaffeine) beans are grown naturally.
  - For the last few years, researchers at the Instituto Agronomico de Campinas in Brazil have been interbreeding different coffee plants that are naturally very low in caffeine in order to create trees where decaf beans are grown naturally.
2. (As) the result so far,() looking promising, if they (were) successful, they (can) tap into a () global decaffeine market which is (estimate) to be worth () under 2.7 (Billian - billion) dollars.
  - And the results so far are looking promising. If they’re successful, they could tap into a new aspect of the global decaf market, which is estimated to be worth just under $2.7bn.
3. So for the researchers, these next stages are crucial.
  - So, for the researchers, these next stages are crucial.
4. Their cloned trees are set to be planted in different regions in Brazil.
  - Their cloned trees are set to be planted in different regions in Brazil.
5. However, we will have to wait and see (that whether the) genetic formula () worked, as it can take around 2 to 3 years for the first coffee (cherris) to appear.
  - However, we’ll have to wait and see if their genetic formula has worked, as it can take around two to three years for the first coffee cherries to appear.
6. Only then, (we’ll) be able to harvest, taste and see if () buzz, or rather lack of, around their experiment is real.
  - Only then will they be able to harvest, taste and see if the buzz, or rather lack of, around their experiment is real.
Note
1. 注意 are 在英音中发音，稍微有点像 a ，一定要根据句式结构和词性判断
2. billion - (numeral 数词) 十亿，注意不要写成 billian
3. coffee cherry - 咖啡果
4. buzz - 热度 an informal word for energy or feeling of being active or excited
5. tap into - to use something in a way that brings good results
  - tap
    
    n. 水龙头
    
    n. 窃听器
    
    n. 切割螺纹孔的机器
    
    n. 快速轻击或快速轻击的声音
    
    n. 踢踏舞
    
    v. 通过水龙头抽取液体
    
    v. 利用（资源）
    
    v. 窃听
    
    v. 攻丝（以便上螺丝）
    
    v. 轻击（某人或某物）
Transcript

For the last few years, researchers at the Instituto Agronomico de Campinas in Brazil have been interbreeding different coffee plants that are naturally very low in caffeine in order to create trees where decaf beans are grown naturally.

And the results so far are looking promising. If they’re successful, they could tap into a new aspect of the global decaf market, which is estimated to be worth just under $2.7bn. So, for the researchers, these next stages are crucial. Their cloned trees are set to be planted in different regions in Brazil.

However, we’ll have to wait and see if their genetic formula has worked, as it can take around two to three years for the first coffee cherries to appear. Only then will they be able to harvest, taste and see if the buzz, or rather lack of, around their experiment is real.