Most of us seem to reach our peak of alertness (警觉) around noon. Soon after that, alertness declines,
and sleepiness may set in by mid-afternoon.
Your short-term memory is best during the morning—in
fact, about 15 percent more efficient than at any other time of day. So, students,
take notice: when you are faced with a morning exam, it really does pay
to review your notes right before the test is given.
However, long-term memory is different. Afternoon is
the best time for learning materials that you want to recall days, weeks or
months later. Politicians, business executives or others who must learn
speeches would be smart to do their memorizing during that time of day. You
should try to do most of your studying in the afternoon, rather than late at
night. Many students believe they memorize better while burning the midnight
oil because their short-term recall is better during the early hours of the
morning than in the afternoon. But short-term memory won’t help them much
several days later, when they face the exam.
By contrast, we tend to do best on tasks related to
the process of knowing, understanding, and learning numbers during the morning
hours.
What about sports? During afternoon and early evening,
you’re able to react the quickest to an outside stimulus—like a baseball
speeding toward you. Studies have also shown that late in the day, when your
body temperature is peaking, you will consider PE easier and less
tiring—whether it actually is or not. That means you are more likely to work
harder during a late afternoon or early evening workout, and therefore benefit
more from it.
In fact, all of your senses—taste, sight, hearing,
touch and smell—may be at their keenest during late afternoon and early
evening. That could be why dinner usually tastes better to us than breakfast.
While all of us follow the same general pattern of ups
and downs, the exact timing varies from person to person. It all depends on how
your “biological” day is structured. Each of us can increase our knowledge
about our individual rhythms. Learn how to listen to the inner beats of your
body; let them set the pace of your day. You will live a healthier and happier
life.
1.What does the underlined “it really does pay” mean?
A.It will cost
a lot. B.It requires
price.
C.It is very
painful. D.It is
worthwhile.
2.If there is an English exam two weeks later, you
should go over English ____________ for days before that.
A.in the
afternoon B.in the late
evening
C.in the early
morning D.right before
the exam
3.From the passage, it can be inferred that
______________.
A.we eat more
food at noon
B.we feel most
tired if we exercise in the evening
C.it is a good
choice to study math in the morning
D.we feel most
sleepy before noon
4.Which would be the best title for the passage?
A.What’s Your Best Time of the Day for Different Tasks
B.How to Live a
Healthier and Happier Life
C.How to Study
Efficiently
D.How to Keep
Your Best State of Learning