In this passage, you will hear the following vocabulary:

inconsistent - not regularly, always changing

symmetrical - the left and right sides are the same (i.e. A butterfly's wings are symmetrical.  They both look the same.)

impartial - not prejudice, looking at things equally (i.e. A judge in a courtroom is supposed to be impartial.)

ratio - the relationship between the number of things (i.e. The ratio of men to women is about 4:1 in Dubai.)

complexion - clear skin

hypothesize - guess something after researching it

fertility - able to have babies

accentuate - to make more obvious

Now, listen to the passage.

    The saying 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder' suggests that beauty is inconsistent and is an idea unique to everyone.  But is this true?  According to science, it isn't.  Studies have repeatedly shown that people with symmetrical faces are deemed more beautiful than those without by impartial groups of people.  In fact, it is believed by some that a mathematical formula for beauty could exist involving a ratio of eye size to nose and mouth size.

    This argument is further supported by the fact that worldwide cultures share certain traits in their definitions of beauty.  For instance, large eyes, a clear complexion and a youthful appearance are generally associated with beauty by most cultures.  It is hypothesized that these features are preferred because they signal health and fertility.  Even from a young age, human beings tend to prefer attractive faces to unattractive ones.  In one study, babies shown a picture of an attractive woman's face were happier than those shown a picture of an unattractive woman.

    Despite this evidence, worldwide definitions of beauty are not without some variation.  In some Asian cultures, women with tiny feet were traditionally preferred.  To achieve this, their feet were bound in very small shoes to prevent them from growing.  In Burma, women had rings placed around their necks to lengthen them.  Among native Americans, men and women wore eagle feathers to accentuate their beauty.

Now listen to the passage again.

Now answer these multiple choice questions.

Question 1
An impartial person would probably think
A - symmetrical faces are beautiful.
B - abnormal faces are beautiful.
C - people with tiny eyes are beautiful.

Question 2
An example of a beauty trait NOT shared by most cultures is
A - large eyes.
B - a clear complexion.
C - tiny feet.

Question 3
According to the article, human beings notice beauty
A - as babies.
B - as young children.
C - as toddlers.

Now listen to these words:

complexion

ratio

accentuate

You will use these words in the following sentences.

For example, you will hear:

I do not like my __________. I always seem to have pimples.

You will say:

I do not like my complexion.  I always seem to have pimples.

Question 1
I wish the __________ of girls to guys was higher in Dubai.

Question 2
I love your hat.  It __________ your eyes.

Question 3
Her __________ is so clear!  She could be a model.

Question 4
Most people have some problems with their __________ when they are teenagers.

Question 5
If I join the school band, the __________ of trumpets to trombones will be 3:4.

Question 6
Her smile is __________ by her straight teeth.

Question 7
If the __________ of cold days to hot days gets any worse, I am going to move out of Shanghai!

Question 8
I do not eat a lot of chocolate as I read it is bad for my __________.

Question 9
The supporting actors in that movie __________ the main star's performance.

Question 10
My __________ of correct answers to incorrect answers on that exam was 2:8.  I think I am going to fail this course!