Some colors people see late at night could cause signs of clinical (临床的) depression. That was the finding of a study that builds on earlier study findings. They show that individuals who live or work in low levels of light overnight can develop clinical depression. Doctors use the word “clinical depression” to describe severe form of depression. Signs may include loss of interest or pleasure in most activities, low energy levels and thoughts of death or suicide.
In the new study American investigators designed an experiment that exposed hamsters (仓鼠) to different colors. The researchers chose hamsters because they are nocturnal which means they sleep during the day and are active at night.
The animals were divided into four groups. One group of hamsters was kept in the dark during their night-time period. Another group was placed in front of a blue light a third group slept in front of a white light while a fourth was put in front of a red light.
After four weeks the researchers noted how much sugary water the hamsters drank. They found that the most depressed animals drank the least amount of water.
Randy Nelson heads the Department of Neuroscience at Ohio State University. He says animals that slept in blue and white light appeared to be the most depressed. “What we saw is that these animals didn’t show any sleep uneasiness at all but they did mess up biological clock genes and they did show depressive sign while if they were in the dim (微弱) red light they did not.”
He notes that photosensitive (感光) cells in the eyes have little to do with eyesight. He says these cells send signals to the area of the brain that controls what has been called the natural sleep-wake cycle.
He says there’s a lot of blue in white light. This explains why the blue light and white light hamsters appear to be more depressed than the hamsters seeing red light or darkness.
1.Researchers use hamsters in the experiment because __________.
A.they are similar to humans in dealing with colors
B.they are easy to observe and study
C.they are sensitive to colors like human beings
D.they are active at night and sleep during the day
2.What sign shows that the hamsters are being depressed?
A.Their energy level becomes low. B.They don’t sleep well.
C.Their eyesight becomes worse. D.They drink less sugary water.
3.__________ tends to cause hamsters to be depressed.
A.Dim light B.Blue light
C.Red light D.Darkness
4.What can help people who work late at night to avoid being depressed?
A.Equipping their computer screens to put it more in the reddish light.
B.Not being exposed to dim red light when using computers.
C.Living or working in low levels of light overnight.
D.Going to see doctors of clinical depression regularly for help.
Do you enjoy reading? Do you read newspapers or magazines? Chances are, if you do any of these activities, your pre-school child is on his way to becoming a reader.
The process of learning to read is complex, and one of the most important things to know is that parents can help their children learn to read. As children have conversations with adults, they hear both new and familiar words and their vocabulary grows.
There are many opportunities for adults and children to talk together, such as when riding in the car or in a bus, doing housework like fixing dinner, or bathing and getting ready for bed. A major part of conversation is listening. When children talk, adults listen and respond. Then children listen and respond, and so the flow of conversation happens.
Have you watched you pre-school child pretend to read to his younger sisters or brothers? Have you read his favorite story over and over? These experiences tell children that reading is fun. And when things are fun and they are repeated, your child will see letters. He begins to connect them to familiar words, especially the letters that make up his name. A natural next step for him to take is to write the letters.
When children see parents make a grocery list, they want to use a pencil and paper to make their own list. To encourage these beginning writing activities, have pencils, markers, crayons and scrap paper within your children’s reach.
The more children get connected with talking, listening, reading and writing, the easier it is for them to become active readers. While you as a parent have a big influence on these early behaviors, it is important to remember that opportunities for literacy experiences happen when you and your child share in the basic routines（日常生活）of everyday life.
1.The third paragraph tells us that parents can talk with their children__________.
A.during daily routines B.only in quiet places
C.in their spare time D.when they are eager to walk
2.During the process of learning to read, children may _________.
A.copy the action of the adults.
B.prefer to talk with those of their own age.
C.show no interest in reading at all.
D.waste a lot of paper and other materials.
3.When do children want to learn to write?
A.When their parents ask them to do so.
B.When they believe they can write well.
C.When they know what they want to know
D.When they can connect letters with familiar words.
4.The passage is written to _____________.
A.talk about parents’ influence on their children’s behavior
B.encourage parents to set a good example to their children
C.advise parents to make reading a part of their children’s daily life
D.make parents believe in the importance of early reading
Some educators told us that more years of school could help students get higher scores on intelligence tests.That was a finding of a study of teenage males in some countries.Now，another research shows that physical activity may help students do better in their classes.
The research comes as educators in some countries are reducing time for activities like physical education.They are using the time instead for academic(学术的) subjects like math and reading.The studies appeared between 2008 and 2014.They included more than 55,000 children，aged 6 to 18.
Amika Singh：“According to the results of our study，we can conclude that being physically active is beneficial for academic performance.There are，first，Physiological explanations，like more blood flow，and so more oxygen to the brain.Being physically active means there are more hormones(荷尔蒙) produced like endorphins(内啡肽)．And endorphins make your stress level lower and your mood improved，which means you also perform better.”
Also，students taking part in organized sports learn rules and how to follow them.This could improve their classroom behavior and help them keep their mind on their work.
The study leaves some questions unanswered，however.Ms Stash says it is not possible to say whether the amount or kind of activity affected the level of academic improvement.This is because of differences among the studies.
The researchers said they found only two highquality studies.They needed more highquality studies to confirm(证实) their findings.They also pointed out that “results for other parts of the world may be quite different”．
Still，the general finding was that physically active kids are more likely to do better in school.Ms Singh says schools should consider that finding before they cut physical education programs.Her paper on “Physical Activity and Performance at School” is published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
1.The passage mainly tells us that .
A.a research on physical education has been done by the researchers
B.there is a possibility that physical activity leads to higher grades
C.the amount or kind of activity directly affects academic level
D.the research shows that the children aged 6 to 18 don’t do sports
2.Which of the following is TRUE?
A.Being mentally active is good for academic subjects.
B.The more hormones you have，the more stressed you will get.
C.The researchers have found many highquality studies to prove the research.
D.The educators in some countries think studies,not exercise,mean much to students.
3.The underlined sentence in Paragraph 6 probably means .
A.good marks result from highquality study
B.findings are probably different in different areas
C.physical activity will spread all over the world
D.academic performance depends on the surroundings
4.What’s the purpose of writing the passage?
A.To call our attention to the sports at school.
B.To introduce all types of physical activities.
C.To represent the academic performance.
D.To improve students’ health.
The front part of the bus was destroyed and nine people_______were killed________the spot.
A.aboard；on B.on board；in C.abroad；on D.on the board；in
Her voice ________a more serious tone.
A.took away B.took out C.took on D.took off
The growth of GDP in China will be largely slowed down in the next few years ________it mainly relies on the exploration of the resources available.
A.because of B.due to C.thanks to D.now that
