When It Comes To Romantic Attraction, Real Life Beats Questionnaires

Day 1

1.winnow

verb

If you winnow a group of things or people, you reduce its size by separating the ones that are useful or relevant from the ones that are not.

[literary]

Administration officials have winnowed the list of candidates to three. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: separate, fan, divide, sift

winnow out       （winnow sb/sth out) phr v

to get rid of the things or people that you do not need or want from a group

筛除〔不想要的人或物〕

phrasal verb

If you winnow out part of a group of things or people, you identify the part that is not useful or relevant and the part that is.

[written]

The committee will need to winnow out the nonsense and produce more practical proposals if it is to achieve results. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

Time has winnowed out certain of the essays as superior. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

2.suitor

1. countable noun

A woman's suitor is a man who wants to marry her.

[old-fashioned]

My mother had a suitor who adored her.

Synonyms: admirer, young man, beau [US] , follower [obsolete]   

2. countable noun

A suitor is a company or organization that wants to buy another company.

[business]

The company was making little progress in trying to find a suitor.

Whatever is offered by the bank is unlikely to be improved on by any rival suitor.

Synonyms: bidder, customer, candidate, applicant

---

3.nigh-infinite

nigh

(naɪ)

1.adverb[beADVERB]

If an eventis nigh, itwill happen very soon.

[old-fashioned]

The end of the world may be nigh, but do we really care?

The storm must still be nigh, she thought.

Synonyms:almost,about,nearly,close to

4.chaff 

n. 谷壳

切碎的干草或稻草

逗弄,打趣

无价值的东西

识别优劣；分清好坏；去芜存菁

vt. 打趣,开玩笑

Chaff is the outer part of grain such as wheat. It is removed before the grain is used as food.

---

to separate the wheat from the chaff

or to sort the wheat from the chaff

If you separate the wheat from the chaff or sort the wheat from the chaff, you decide which people or things in a group are good or important and which are not.

It isn't always easy to separate the wheat from the chaff.

---

Dating sites claim to winnow a few ideal suitors out of a nigh-infinite pool of chaff.

But the matches these algorithms offer may be no better than picking partners at

random, a study finds.

---

5.algorithm

An algorithm is a series of mathematical steps, especially in a computer program, which will give you the answer to a particular kind of problem or question.

6.heterosexual

1. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]

A heterosexual relationship is a sexual relationship between a man and a woman.

2. adjective

Someone who is heterosexual is sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

Heterosexual is also a noun.

7.fill out  填写

8.quizzed about

1. countable noun

A quiz is a game or competition in which someone tests your knowledge by asking you questions.

We'll have a quiz at the end of the show.

Synonyms: competition, test, quiz show, panel game  

2. verb

If you are quizzed by someone about something, they ask you questions about it.

He was quizzed about his income, debts and eligibility for state benefits. [be V-ed + about]

Sybil quizzed her about life as a working girl. [VERB noun + about]

Synonyms: question, ask, interrogate, examine

9.assertive  有话语权的

adjective

Someone who is assertive states their needs and opinions clearly, so that people take notice.

Women have become more assertive in the past decade.

...an assertive style of management.

Synonyms: confident, firm, demanding, decided

10.theorized

verb

If you theorize that something is true or theorize about it, you develop an abstract idea or set of ideas about something in order to explain it.

Police are theorizing that the killers may be posing as hitchhikers. [VERB that]

By studying the way people behave, we can theorize about what is going on in their mind. [VERB + about]

[Also VERB]

Synonyms: speculate, conjecture, hypothesize, project

---

They were quizzed about things like self-esteem, goals, values, loneliness, what they

were looking for in a partner, and how assertive or patient or creative they want the

partner to be — and how much those things apply to them, says Samantha Joel, a

psychologist at the University of Utah and lead author on the study, which was

published last week in Psychological Science. "Lots of traits that have been theorized

to be important for relationships in past literature."

---

11.bunch

1. countable noun [usually singular , adjective NOUN]

A bunch of people is a group of people who share one or more characteristics or who are doing something together.

[informal]

My neighbours are a bunch of busybodies. [+ of]

We were a pretty inexperienced bunch of people really. [+ of]

The players were a great bunch.

Synonyms: group, band, crowd, party   

2. countable noun [usually singular]

A bunch of flowers is a number of flowers with their stalks held or tied together.

He had left a huge bunch of flowers in her hotel room. [+ of]

Synonyms: bouquet, spray, garland, wreath   

3. countable noun [usually singular]

A bunch of bananas or grapes is a group of them growing on the same stem.

Lili had fallen asleep clutching a fat bunch of grapes. [+ of]

Synonyms: cluster, clump, bundle, rick  

4. countable noun [usually singular]

A bunch of keys is a set of keys kept together on a metal ring.

George took out a bunch of keys and went to work on the complicated lock. [+ of]

5. quantifier

A bunch of things is a number of things, especially a large number.

[US , informal]

We did a bunch of songs together. [+ of]

Bunch is also a pronoun.

I'd like to adopt a multi-racial child. In fact, I'd love a whole bunch.

6. plural noun [usually in NOUN]

If a girl has her hair in bunches, it is parted down the middle and tied on each side of her head.

[British]

7. verb

If clothing bunches around a part of your body, it forms a set of creases around it.

She clutches the sides of her skirt until it bunches around her waist. [V + around]

Synonyms: gather, wrinkle, pleat, ruffle

12.spectacularly

1. adjective

Something that is spectacular is very impressive or dramatic.

...spectacular views of the Sugar Loaf Mountain.

They have revamped the business with spectacular success.

The results have been spectacular.

Synonyms: impressive, striking, dramatic, stunning [informal]

2.countable noun[usually nounNOUN]

Aspectacularis a showor performance which is very grand and impressive.

...a television spectacular.

...one of the world's great sporting spectaculars.

Synonyms:show,display,spectacle,extravaganza

13.extrovert       introvert（反义词）

n. 性格外向的人

<口>活跃、愉快、爱交际的人

adjective

Someone who is extrovert is very active,lively, and friendly.

[mainly British]

...his extrovert personality.

Anextrovertis someone who is extrovert.

He was a showman, an extrovert who revelled in controversy（n. 公开辩论, 论战.）

"It predicted 0 percent [of the matches.] Some of the models we ran got a negative

percentage, which means you're better off just guessing," Joel says. "I was really

surprised. I thought we would be able to predict at least some portion of the variance(n. 差异,不同;不一致;不相符合)

— like extroverts or liberals（adj. 慷慨的；不拘泥的；宽大的；自由主义的  n. 自由主义者） like each other."

14.unnerving

adjective

If you describe something as unnerving, you mean that it makes you feel worried or uncomfortable.

It is very unnerving to find out that someone you see every day is carrying a potentially deadly virus.

...her unnerving habit of continuously touching people she was speaking to.

Synonyms: disconcerting, disturbing, upsetting, embarrassing

15.attributes

1.verb

If you attribute something to an event or situation, you think that it was caused by that event or situation.

Women tend to attribute their success to external causes such as luck.[VERBnoun +to]

Synonyms:ascribe,apply,credit,blame

2.verb

If youattributea particular quality or feature to someone or something, you think that they have got it.

People were beginning to attribute superhuman qualities to him.[VERBnoun +to]

attribution(ætrɪbjuːʃən)uncountable noun[oftNOUNofnoun]

There's usually a lot of attribution of evil intent to those who have different views.

Synonyms:ascription,charge,credit,blameMore Synonyms of attribute

3.verb[usually passive]

If a piece ofwriting, a work ofart, or aremarkis attributedtosomeone, peoplesaythat theywroteit,createdit, orsaidit.

This, and the remaining frescoes, are not attributed to Giotto.[beVERB-ed +to]

...a Madonna and Child attributed to Pietro Lorenzetti.[VERB-ed]

4.countable noun

Anattribute is a quality or feature that someone or something has.

Cruelty is a normal attribute of human behaviour.

He has every attribute you could want and could play for any team.

Synonyms:quality,point,mark,sign

16.are drawn to

draw ：ATTRACT  吸引

[T] to attract someone or make them want to do something

吸引

Beth felt strangely drawn to this gentle stranger. 贝丝感觉到自己莫名其妙地被这个温文尔雅的

陌生人吸引了。

draw sb to sth

What first drew you to teaching? 是什么最先把你吸引去教书的？

---

If the results suggest that attributes psychologists would think attract certain people

are effectively（实际上，事实上） useless when it comes to making matches, then what is

actually going on when two people are drawn to one another?(练一下长难句分析)

---

17.elusive

Something or someone that iselusiveis difficult to find,describe, remember, or achieve.

18.plucked

If someone unknown is given an important job or role and quickly becomes famous because of it, you can say that they have been plucked from obscurity or plucked from an unimportant position.

[written]

She was plucked from the corps de ballet to take on Juliet. [be VERB-ed + from]

The agency plucked Naomi from obscurity and turned her into one of the world's top models. [VERB noun + from]

College students plucked from the same campus are probably more similar to one another than those out in the wider dating world, and there isn't much scientific evidence that similar people are more attracted to one another, Edelstein says.

19.come across

1. phrasal verb

If you come across something or someone, you find them or meet them by chance.

I came across a group of children playing. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

We like to identify and celebrate women's success whenever we come across it. [VERB PREPOSITION noun]

2. phrasal verb

If someone or what they are saying comes across in a particular way, they make that impression on people who meet them or are listening to them.

When sober he can come across as an extremely pleasant and charming young man. [VERB PREPOSITION + as]

He came across very, very well. [VERB PREPOSITION adverb]

20.stand out

1. phrasal verb

If something stands out, it is very noticeable.

Every tree, wall and fence stood out against dazzling white fields. [VERB PREPOSITION]

Grammatical errors are always obvious to me, spelling mistakes stand out. [VERB PREPOSITION]

Synonyms: be conspicuous, be striking, be prominent, be obvious 

2. phrasal verb

If something stands out, it is much better or much more important than other things of the same kind.

He played the violin, and he stood out from all the other musicians. [VERB PREPOSITION + from]

Many people were involved in this conspiracy, but three stand out. [VERB PREPOSITION]

Synonyms: be better, eclipse, overshadow, be superior  

3. phrasal verb

If something stands out from a surface, it rises up from it.

His tendons stood out like rope beneath his skin. [VERB PREPOSITION]

Her hair stood out in spikes. [VERB PREPOSITION]

Synonyms: project, protrude（vt. 使突出，使伸出）,

bristle（vt. 使（毛发等）直立；vi. 突出，伸出）

---

Without a bigger range of personalities, Joel's algorithm might not have come across that magic combination of traits and preferences that makes that special someone stand out to another person.

---

21.utility

1. uncountable noun

The utility of something is its usefulness.

[formal]

Belief in the utility of higher education is shared by students nationwide. [+ of]

He inwardly questioned the utility of his work. [+ of]

Synonyms: usefulness, use, point, benefit   

2. countable noun

A utility is an important service such as water, electricity, or gas that is provided for everyone, and that everyone pays for.

22.idiosyncratic

adjective

If you describe someone's actions or characteristics as idiosyncratic, you mean that they are rather unusual.

...a highly idiosyncratic personality.

...his erratic typing and idiosyncratic spelling.

Synonyms: distinctive, special, individual, typical

23.variables  

adj.变化的，可变的;[数]变量的;[生]变异的

n.可变因素，变量;易变的东西

1. adjective

Something that is variable changes quite often, and there usually seems to be no fixed pattern to these changes.

The potassium content of foodstuffs is very variable.

There was a bit of a wind and it was blowing onshore, variable, but quite strong.

...a variable rate of interest.

Synonyms: changeable, unstable, fluctuating, shifting   

variability (veəriəbɪlɪti  ) uncountable noun

There's a great deal of variability between individuals. [+ between]

...the variability in the climate.

2. countable noun

A variable is a factor that can change in quality, quantity, or size, which you have to take into account in a situation.

Decisions could be made on the basis of price, delivery dates, after-sales service or any other variable.

Other variables in making forecasts for the industry include the weather and the general economic climate.

3. countable noun

A variable is a quantity that can have any one of a set of values.

[technical]

It is conventional to place the independent variable on the right-hand side of an equation.

---

She adds, "Maybe we could predict attraction if we really had all the variables and

situation-specific variables."

---

24.inexhaustible

adjective

If there is an inexhaustible supply of something, there is so much of it that it cannot all be used up.

She has an inexhaustible supply of enthusiasm.

His energy was unbounded and his patience inexhaustible.

---

When researchers begin using their imaginations, they rattle off an inexhaustible

number of potential variables that might affect attraction.

---

25.compatibility

1. adjective

If things, for example systems, ideas, and beliefs, are compatible, they work well together or can exist together successfully.

Free enterprise, he argued, was compatible with Russian values and traditions. [+ with]

Marriage and the life I live just don't seem compatible.

Synonyms: consistent, in keeping, consonant, congenial   

compatibility (kəmpætɪbɪlɪti  ) uncountable noun

National courts can freeze any law while its compatibility with European legislation is being tested. [+ with]

[Also + of/between]

Synonyms: agreement, consistency, accordance, 

affinity （n. 吸引力；姻亲关系；密切关系；类同） 

2. adjective

If you say that you are compatible with someone, you mean that you have a good relationship with them because you have similar opinions and interests.

Mildred and I are very compatible. She's interested in the things that interest me.

In a large city you're almost certain to find a physician with whom you are compatible and feel comfortable.

[Also + with]

Synonyms: like-minded, harmonious, in harmony, in accord   

compatibility  uncountable noun

As a result of their compatibility, Haig and Fraser were able to bring about wide-ranging reforms.

Synonyms: like-mindedness, harmony, empathy, rapport  

3. adjective

If one make of computer or computer equipment is compatible with another make, especially IBM, they can be used together and can use the same software.

Echo 补充

---

1.speed dates

Then the participants went on four-minute speed dates and rated how attracted they

felt to each person.

2.scratching their heads 大伤脑筋，绞尽脑汁

That question has left Joel and other psychologists scratching their heads.

3.rattle off

1.迅速地讲话(或背诵)；滔滔不绝地讲述(或背诵)：

It is no use teaching the pupils to rattle off the ancient poems which they do not understand at all.

教学生背诵他们一点不懂的古诗是徒劳无益的。

2.轻快地(或机械地)弹奏：

Her daughter can rattle off any waltz by Strauss.

她的女儿能轻易而迅速地弹奏施特劳斯作的任何圆舞曲。

be/get involved

to take part in an activity or event, or be connected with it in some way

参与；卷入；与…有关联

[+ in]

I don’t want to get involved in some lengthy argument about who is to blame. 我不想卷入谁该承担责任的冗长争论。

[+ with]

actively/deeply/heavily involved (=involved very much)积极参与的

Mrs. Cummings has been actively involved with the church for years. 卡明斯太太积极参与教会事务有好几年了。

fill out:

PHRASAL VERB If you fill out a form or other document requesting information, you write

information in the spaces on it. 填写

• Fill out the application carefully, and keep copies of it.

仔细填写申请表，并保留备份。

PHRASE You use expressions such as by the look of him and by the looks of it when you want to

indicate that you are giving an opinion based on the appearance of someone or something. 由表象

(来看)

• He was not a well man by the look of him.

他表面看来不是个健康的人。

lead sb to: to take someone somewhere by going in front of them while they follow, or by pulling

them gently 带路，领路；引领

The horses were led to safety. 马匹被牵到安全的地方。

lead sb to/into etc sth

A nurse took her arm and led her to a chair. 有位护士搀扶她坐到椅子上。）

（lead off和 和 start off  是同义词组

to start a meeting, discussion, performance etc by saying or doing something

〔以说或做某事〕开始

I’d like to lead off by thanking Rick for coming. 我首先要感谢里克的到来。

be attracted to（吸引）

draw ：ATTRACT  吸引

[T] to attract someone or make them want to do something 吸引

Beth felt strangely drawn to this gentle stranger. 贝丝感觉到自己莫名其妙地被这个温文尔雅的陌生人吸引了。

draw sb to sth

What first drew you to teaching? 是什么最先把你吸引去教书的？

apply to： 

to have an effect on or to concern a particular person, group, or situation

（对…）适用；有效

Do the same rules apply to part-time workers? 这些规定对兼职人员也适用吗？

The offer only applies to flights from London and Manchester. 这个报价只适用于从伦敦和曼彻斯

特起飞的航班。

led to（引起...的结果）

come across： 

PHRASAL VERB If you come across something or someone, you find them or meet them by chance.

偶然发现; 偶然遇见

stand out： 

PHRASAL VERB If something stands out, it is very noticeable. 显眼

• Every tree, wall and fence stood out against dazzling white fields.

每棵树、每堵墙、每道篱笆在白得耀眼的田野的映衬下都很显眼。

work on: 致力于，从事于：

The scientists are still working on inventing new methods of reaching outer space.

科学家们仍致力于发明到达外层空间的新方法。

show up: [口语]出席，露面：

Everyone showed up except Jack.

除了杰克以外所有的人都来了

Joel is left with（被留下，被剩下） only wild guesses

they ever are up to（胜任） the task

I no longer have faith in matching algorithms

To know if sparks are going to fly,

Joel says, nothing is more telling than an old-fashioned face-to-face.

想知道火花是否会飞，没有什么能比面对面这样古老的交流方式更具说服力、

---

Day 2

 I know Cathy has been involved with financial sector for years, so the busniss might be successful under the support of Cathy. But I don't want to get involved in it. I don't think her way would apply to practical stiuation. The world is changing a lot. I no longer have faith in these long-term methodology.

---

Day 3

1. Lots of traits that have been theorized to be important for relationships in past

literature.

在以往观念中，很多理论上的特点对一段感情而言，都很重要。

2. If the results suggest that attributes psychologists would think   attract certain

people are effectively useless when it comes to making matches, then what is actually

going on when two people are drawn to one another?

当谈到择偶问题时，心理学家一般认为会吸引人的特质实际上都没有多大用处。那又究竟是什么让两个人彼此被对方吸引呢？

3. When researchers begin using their imaginations, they rattle off an inexhaustible

number of potential variables that might affect attraction. That would make

predicting attraction much like predicting the weather; romance could be chaos.

当研究者决定发挥想象力，滔滔不绝说出一大串可能干扰吸引力的潜在因素时，这让预测吸引力就像预测天气一样，一段感情也会陷入混乱。