What's the point of the menopause? | BBC Ideas – YouTube Dictation Transcript & Vocabulary
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Interactive Transcript & Highlights for Dictation
1.What does half the human population have in common with these
2.Toothed whales, which include orca or killer whales, are one of the few species of animal who live long enough in the wild to experience the menopause
3.Other wild animals tend to keep reproducing until they die
4.But for us women, and these whales, there's a much longer period of what biologists charmingly call our post-reproductive lifespan
5.Now, the theory of evolution tells us that the which make us better adapted for survival and reproducing are the ones that will get passed on to the next generation
💡 Tap the highlighted words to see definitions and examples
Key Vocabulary (CEFR B2)
characteristics
B1A distinguishing feature of a person or thing.
Example:
"Now, the theory of evolution tells us that the characteristics"
dangerous
A2Full of danger.
Example:
"and it's the idea that because it's medically more dangerous"
significantly
B1In a significant manner or to a significant extent.
Example:
"significantly improves the survival rate of her grandchildren."
understand
A2To grasp a concept fully and thoroughly, especially (of words, statements, art, etc.) to be aware of the meaning of and (of people) to be aware of the intent of.
Example:
"and our friends, the toothed whales, have helped us understand"
descendants
B1One who is the progeny of a specified person, at any distance of time or through any number of generations.
Example:
"to ensure the survival of your descendants"
empowered
A2To give permission, power, or the legal right to do something.
Example:
"and women are becoming more empowered"
mystery
A2Something secret or unexplainable; an unknown.
Example:
"who may hold the key to the menopause mystery."
dynamic
A2A characteristic or manner of an interaction; a behavior.
Example:
"So, there's clearly something going on in that family dynamic"
running
A2To move swiftly.
Example:
"running around together"
together
A2Coherent; well organized.
Example:
"running around together"
Word | CEFR | Definition |
---|---|---|
characteristics | B1 | A distinguishing feature of a person or thing. |
dangerous | A2 | Full of danger. |
significantly | B1 | In a significant manner or to a significant extent. |
understand | A2 | To grasp a concept fully and thoroughly, especially (of words, statements, art, etc.) to be aware of the meaning of and (of people) to be aware of the intent of. |
descendants | B1 | One who is the progeny of a specified person, at any distance of time or through any number of generations. |
empowered | A2 | To give permission, power, or the legal right to do something. |
mystery | A2 | Something secret or unexplainable; an unknown. |
dynamic | A2 | A characteristic or manner of an interaction; a behavior. |
running | A2 | To move swiftly. |
together | A2 | Coherent; well organized. |
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