英语流利说 Level6 Unit2 Part2 Reading - The Love Lab

The love Lab

How we communicate with our romantic partners can have a strong impact on the quality of our relationships. Psychologists John and Julie Gottman run the "Love Lab", where thousands of couples have been studied over the last 30 years. The purpose of their research is to determine the factors that lead to happy and unhappy relationships. From their data, they have concluded that contempt,criticism,defensiveness,and stonewalling are the most significant factors that can hurt a marriage or relationship.

Among these, contempt is the biggest predictor of divorce. People who feel contempt for their partner often convey disapproval without addressing the issue. They sometimes label their partner with insulting words such as "lazy" "stupid" or "emotional",which is particularly damaging.

Many couples try to address issues by criticizing their partner's flaws or mistakes directly.Being too direct with criticism can hurt your partner's self-esteem.Some people may react to criticism by becoming defensive and focused on winning the argument, rather than on improving themselves. Others may react to criticism by stonewalling, where they refuse to acknowledge and respond to their partner for a period of time.

Unfortunately, fighting back or ignoring your partner can make it difficult to determine the root of your problems. If your partner feels that they aren't valued, it may lead to increased dissatisfaction with the relationship.

The Gottmans maintain that being aware of these factors in communication is the first step to improving a relationship. It is important to acknowledge that all relationships have issues. The goal shouldn't be to avoid these issues, but to learn to resolve them. In particular, we should avoid communicating in ways that hurt our partner's self-esteem. It is better to discuss problems in a way that is less confrontational and can better help your partner sympathize with your perspective. For example,rather than saying "Why are you ignoring me? It's rude!" one could say "l feel hurt and undervalued when I don't get a response from you." The second example is preferable because it is less confrontational and can better help your partner sympathize with your perspective. By being conscious of(paying attention to) how we communicate with our partner, we can begin to build a healthier relationship.


The tone of this passage is? logical and insightful

Which sentences below are most likely lower somebody's self-esteem? You are too lazy around the house.

What is the purpose of this passage? It's to advise readers on how to identify and improve problems  in a relationship.

What is the purpose of the Gottman's research?  to identify characteristics of successful and unsuccessful relationships

Someone who is defensive in an argument will probably not admit fault.

To show contempt means to be disrespectful.

What is another word for acknowledge? to recognize or admit

To confront something means to face it.

What is the first thing we should do to repair our relationship? The Gottmans maintain that being aware of these factors in communication is the first step to improving a relationship.

How should we avoid to communicating with our partners? In particular, we should avoid communicating in ways that hurt our partner's self-esteem.

Their research has given us insight into how to make our relationships better.

Telling somebody that they are too lazy would probably hurt their self-esteem.

Stonewalling your partner can make them feel like they aren't valued.

What is the biggest predictor of divorce? Among these, contempt is the biggest predictor of divorce. 

What might make it difficult to find out the cause of your relationship problems? Unfortunately, fighting back or ignoring your partner can make it difficult to determine the root of your problems.


The Lost City of the Incas

Machu Picchu is one of the world's most impressive historical sites.It was built around 1450 by the Incas, who ruled most of South America at that time. They called themselves children of the Sun, the powerful god they worshipped as the source of light and life.

Located in the Andes Mountains of Peru, at 8,000 feet above sea level, the"City of the Incas" was mysteriously abandoned just 100 years after its construction. This was when the Spanish were beginning their conquest of the Inca Empire, in the 1530's. There is no evidence that the Spanish invaders ever attacked or even reached the mountaintop city, so many believe that the city's inhabitants deserted the site because of a small pox epidemic.

The city was almost forgotten until 1911 when it was discovered by an American historian, Hiram Bingham, after he heard rumors of its existence. Bingham was led to the site by local farmers and was amazed by what he saw, which seemed like an unbelievable dream. He wondered if anyone would believe what he had found. Though the surrounding jungle had overgrown the site, what remained was impressive.The city had been built on a remote and nearly inaccessible mountaintop, often shrouded in clouds. Forty rows of farming terraces hugged the steep mountainside, each over 10 feet high and linked together by over 3000 stone steps. Among the city were what appeared to be neighborhoods of  homes and exquisite stone buildings that are thought to be temples. Even today,the mystery remains as to the purpose of these temples, how the city was used and what its citizens did.

Despite its remote location, Machu Picchu has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Every year, thousands of people travel to Peru to admire its magnificent stonework and breath taking design. What they see is a wonderful harmony between the city and the landscape around it that is captivating.


How does the author describe the relationship between the city and landscape around it? harmonious

What let to the discovery of the city? An American historian heard rumors of its existence

If something is remote it is far away.

An American historian discovered the city after he heard rumors of its existence.

The American historian was led to the site by local farmers.

The author of the article sees a wonderful harmony between the city and the landscape around it.

Exquisite means about the same thing as extremely beautiful.

What do the Incas call themselves?They called themselves children of the Sun, the powerful god they worshipped as the source of light and life.

Who conquer the Incar Empire?This was when the Spanish were beginning their conquest of the Inca Empire, in the 1530's.

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