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 routines rely 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 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 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 dictate whether or not we are likely to tell the truth. Researchers found it was easier for people to fib（撒小谎） 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 harder to resist the temptation 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 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 clocksB. scientists and experts

C. our daily routinesD. circadian rhythms

2.The research referred to in Paragraph 3 found that people tend to .

A. tell lies when they are tired

B. tell lies if they are rewarded

C. lose temper 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 present following the last paragraph?

A. Some practical suggestions to prevent people from lying.

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

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

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

5. What is the best title for the passage?

A. Rebuild your body clockB. Timing is everything

C. Sleep more, lie lessD. Your time is limited

 

Answer 1

1.D

2.A

3.D

4.C

5.B

【解析】

试题分析：文章介绍了人体中的昼夜节律对我们时间安排的影响，研究表明我们的一些日常活动都是受它的影响。

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考点: 考查科普类短文