Question

【题目】 Now, according to a recent Brigham Young University study, the amount of time between sunrise and sunset is the clear winner among other weather variables when it comes to improving your mental and emotional health.

In this unique study-which brought together a psychologist, physicist and statistician-the researchers explored how someone’s mood is linked to weather and associated factors such as sunshine, cloudy days, temperature, rain and pollution. The study found that people are more likely to report mental trouble during shorter days with less sunshine.

It is generally believed that hot days, rainy days or days with thick pollution would make one feel more down and depressed. But the study came up with a surprising finding. It found that more than any other factor, reduced sun hours could increase mental distress（痛苦）while soaking up in sun makes things all right.

The results highlighted that the duration（时长）of the daylight was more significant in influencing people’s moods than the amount of sun rays being absorbed.

“On a rainy day, or a more polluted day, people assume that they’d have more distress. But we didn’t see that. We looked at solar irradiance（太阳辐照）, or the amount of sunlight that actually hits the ground. We tried to take into account cloudy days, rainy days pollution… but they washed out. The one thing that was really significant was the amount of time between sunrise and sunset,” said professor Becker in a press release.

Many studies have attempted to explore the link between the weather and its effect on one’s mood, but the results were not conclusive. For this study, many important reason were taken into account-making the research an improvement to the previous ones.

The study concluded that public health should plan on effective strategies that can prevent emotional distress during periods when the sun time is less, such as in winter months.

【1】What will affect your emotion most according to the new study?

A.The surroundings.B.The amount of sunshine.

C.The weather conditions.D.The duration of sunlight.

【2】Why does the author think that the new finding in paragraph 3 is surprising?

A.Because it is a conclusion of three scientists.

B.Because it is different from the general belief.

C.Because it is too difficult to understand.

D.Because it is affected by so many factors.

【3】Which season benefits people’s emotion more according to this study?

A.Spring.B.Summer.

C.Autumn.D.Winter.

【4】What is the purpose of this new study?

A.To find ways to prevent depression.

B.To know more about the weather.

C.To provide strategies for public health.

D.To find how the weather affects mood.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】B

【3】B

【4】D

【解析】

这是一篇说明文，最新研究表明，日出日落之间的时间长短比各种天气以及人们接收的日照量更能影响人们的情绪。

【1】细节理解题。根据第一段中内容和第二段中 “The study found that people are more likely to report mental trouble during shorter days with less sunshine.”“研究发现，人们在日照较少的短时间内更容易出现精神问题。”以及第四段内容可知，这个新研究发现：日照的时间长短是影响人们心情的主要因素。故选D。

【2】推理判断题。根据第三段描述，普遍观念认为，炎热天气，阴雨天气，或污染天气使人情绪低沉，感到沮丧，而新发现令人惊奇，是因为它发现：相对于其他因素而言，日照时间越短越会令人精神苦闷。故选B。

【3】推理判断题。这项研究表明：影响人们精神和情绪的主要是日照时间的长短。根据文中最后一句 “… that can prevent emotional distress during periods when the sun time is less, such as in winter months.” 也可判断出，夏季对人们的精神和情绪最有好处了。故选B。

【4】推理判断。根据倒数第二段内容可知，许多研究都想探索天气与情绪之间的关系，这个新研究考虑了许多重要因素，使得它在以往的基础上有所改进。所以，这个新研究的目的仍然是探索天气对情绪的影响。故选D。