节目资讯
刊物:空中英语教室
日期:2012-08-25
难易度:High
关键字:eyewitness, culprit, correlation, comprehensive, sensory deprivation,
intoxicate
Welcome back from the break, everyone.
Now more and more running events like marathons are banning headphones because
of the problems described in this article.
One company offers a solution with a special vest that allows runners and
walkers to hear both their music and the things happening around them.
This vest has built-in speakers that sit on the shoulders.
And so the people's ears are not blocked.
OK, time to wrap up the lesson on line 14.
(Music).
Study Suggests Hazards of Wearing Headphones Outside.
Hearing what's going on in the environment, they point out, could be more
important than visual cues for pedestrians.
But the authors add that this study doesn't show causation or correlation of
headphone use and pedestrian risk,
and other factors could have been involved in the accidents, such as pedestrians
being intoxicated or drivers being at fault.
More comprehensive information on such accidents is needed, the researchers
said,
to see which groups of people may be most at risk.
(Music).
All right, friends.
We've learned what the study authors in this article believe are the two major
reasons why people who wear headphones are getting into more accidents:
Sensory deprivation - you can't hear as much as you need to; and distraction.
That's right.
You are distracted by the... by your music.
Even if I can hear the traffic around me, maybe I'm so into my music, I'm
singing along and just really enjoying it.
Or Ryan, I like listening to books on tape in my headphones, so sometimes I get
really into the story.
Even though I can hear the traffic, I'm definitely not paying attention.
Yeah, exactly.
Now most of us think: Well, I can see where I'm going.
I'll just watch for the cars and trains around me. I'll be fine.
But here's what's interesting.
Hearing what is going on in the environment, the study points out, could be more
important than the visual cues for pedestrians.
Now friends, if you drive a scooter or a motorcycle or frequently ride your
bike,
this is just as important to walking around because you are supposed to be
listening to what's going on around you.
You should not be wearing headphones under your helmet, or have your cell phone
under your helmet ignoring the traffic.
You need to pay attention for this reason.
Having hearing can be more important than the visual cues.
Yeah, because even though you think you can see and you're paying attention
because you can see it,
actually when you hear something, your body knows something is wrong before you
even think about it.
But the authors did add that this study doesn't show causation or correlation of
headphones use and... pedestrian risks.
OK. So the word "correlation" here means a connection between two things.
And so here they're saying there's a connection between what again, Kaylah?
Well, between the use of headphones and the risk of a pedestrian.
We know a pedestrian is the person that is walking on the street.
So the risk would be the dangers that could be caused for them.
OK. So what they're saying here, friends, is that in all of these accidents.
They're not saying that the reason they got in an accident is just because they
were wearing the headphones.
There could have been other things involved in the accidents, such as
pedestrians being intoxicated or drivers being at fault.
This is a good point.
Not all of these accidents happened just because they were wearing headphones.
They could have been "intoxicated." And that means they have been using
substances like alcohol and have had too much.
To say you are intoxicated is another way of saying you are drunk.
Right. And also, it could have been the driver's fault here.
That means they were the reason that it happened.
But even if it was the driver, and they were the ones who were wrong, if the
person was not wearing the headphones,
perhaps they still would have been safe because they would have been able to get
out of the way.
Well, a more comprehensive information on this accident... these accidents is
needed.
We need to have more information about them to really have a fully inclusive
study.
But friends, I think that we know enough now to already take these precautions
to avoid these dangers.
If you decide to wear headphones while you're walking around outside, only wear
one in your ear.
Or turn the volume down so you can still hear what's going on around you.
Ryan, the music should be a background to your walking experience, not to be
very front of... of that experience.
Yeah. And even for me, when I'm exercising, sometimes I'll make it the first
thing I'm thinking about:
I'm not paying attention to really what's going on around me.
I'm just enjoying the music and trying to run with the music.
And so here, though, they're saying: Well, there's not really a correlation or a
connection between those things.
And they think that they need more comprehensive information.
But the researchers said to see which groups of people may be most at risk, they
once again would need to do this study.
But friends, I think it is obvious that it would be a younger generational risk
because for one thing,
younger people, between the ages of 35 and 18, tend to wear headphones more
often.
OK. So "comprehensive" means complete.
And they need to get more complete information to really see this is true.
So they're going to keep researching it.
OK. So friends, visit us on Studio Classroom's Facebook page and tell us what
you think.
Do you think this is a real risk, a true problem?
And how do you plan on being part of the solution for your own life and for the
safety of others around you?
All right, friends.
So be safe and pay attention.
Now let's go visit Ken and Bryan in the Chat Room.
Oh, no.
Come on, James.
Make your entrance now!
Oh, he totally missed his cue.
Is something wrong, Bryan?
Yes, really wrong.
I'm watching a video of my nephew's stage debut.
And unfortunately, he missed his cue and ended up ruining a scene.
He missed his cue?
Why didn't he just get in line then?
No, Ken, not that kind of "queue," the acting kind of cue.
The acting kind?
I'm really confused now.
I think we need to go to Doris for help with this one.
Let's listen to her explanation.
OK.
Be careful with these two words.
They sound the same but have different meanings.
The noun cue, spelled C-U-E, generally refers to any signal that tells someone
to do something.
Actors watch for cues that tell them when to enter or exit a scene.
The other queue, spelled Q-U-E-U-E, refers to a line of people waiting for
something.
Oh, I see.
Now I understand what happened.
Your nephew didn't make his entrance when he was supposed to.
Unfortunately, you're right.
He missed his cue.
Is it possible that another person forgot to... how do you say it... give his
cue?
Now there's a thought.
I'll have to watch the video again.
And you can simply say they forgot to cue him.
OK. So cue, spelled C-U-E, can be a verb.
Hey, what about "queue," spelled Q-U-E-U-E, can that be a verb as well?
Yep. And usually we add the word: up.
So could I say fans are queuing up outside the theater?
Yes. Nice job, Ken.
But you should keep in mind that Americans usually say "line up" instead of the
more British expression - queue up.
Got it.
(Chinese).
(Chinese).
And that's it for today.
Keep up the good work, and I'll see you next time.
OK. Research suggests that from 2004 to 2011, headphones were a factor in most
accidents involving pedestrians and vehicles.
The thinking is listening to something, even at a moderate volume, is a
dangerous distraction.
It takes our attention away from potential hazards like bicycles, cars and
trains.
What's more, if the headphone volume is high enough, it can block out warning
signals like shouts, honking horns and train whistles.
Friends, be safe this weekend.
And then join us Monday when we look at the ever popular topic of dieting.
Take care.