Question

They tell us when to get up or when we’re running late for work and whether we are in danger of missing our favourite TV programme. But while our daily activities depend on clocks that tell us the time science is discovering that our well-being is influenced by a very different kind of timepiece. Circadian rhythms---the human body’s own internal(体内的) clock—have a powerful influence on our health and behaviour. They are programmed from birth and control functions ranging from temperature and blood pressure to sleep patterns.

In recent years researchers have also discovered that this built-in mechanism (内在机制) can influence everything from the way we react to medicines to how well we learn music.

The latest example, from experts at Harvard University in the US, shows that the human body clock can even influence whether or not we are likely to tell the truth. Researchers found it was easier for people to tell lies in the afternoon because as they were tired, the self control that would normally prevent them from lying started to break down. Tiredness made it easier for them to tell lies ---especially if it meant they got a financial reward at the end.

“The body clock has a great effect on us all,” says Professor Jim Horne from the Sleep Research Centre at Loughborough University. “Most people tend to feel good around late morning and then decline in the early afternoon. But the time most of us will feel our sharpest is between 6pm and 8pm. That’s because sleepiness tends to build up throughout the day. By early evening our body clock kicks in to wake us up. One reason may be to ensure we get home safely. When our ancestors (祖先) were coming home after hunting all day, their internal clocks kicked in to get them home in one piece.”

So what effects do circadian rhythms have and what’s the best time of day to take advantage of them?

1.The underlined word “They” in the first paragraph refers to_____ .

A. our health and behaviour B. scientists and experts

C. our daily routines D. circadian rhythms

2.The research referred to in Paragraph 3 found that people would rather ______ .

A. tell lies when they are tired B. tell lies if they are rewarded

C. get angry as they become tired D. break down because they are tired

3.According to the passage, when are people most quick-thinking?

A. In the morning. B. Around midday.

C. In the late afternoon. D. In the early evening.

4.What information will the writer probably give following the last paragraph?

A. An explanation of how the human body clock controls the body.

B. Examples of how the human body clocks control the body.

C. Examples of the most suitable time to do different activities.

D. Some practical suggestions to prevent people from lying.

1.D 2.A 3.D 4.C 【解析】试题这是一篇科普文，介绍了人体自身的内部时钟——昼夜节律——对我们的健康和行为的强大影响。 1.题意：第一段中的下划线“They”指的是“ ”。考查词义理解题。根据Circadian rhythms---the human body’s own internal clock—have a powerful influence o...

Answer 1