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Many of us have had this experience: we lie down in a bed other than our own, perhaps at a friend’s house or in a hotel room, and find it difficult to fall asleep. Is it because the bed is uncomfortable? Maybe, but perhaps there can be other reasons.
According to a new study published in Current Biology, a significant reason is what the scientists call “first night effect”. They believe that one side of the brain acts as a “night watch” to warn us about potential (潜在的) dangers. It forces us to stay awake on the first night in a new environment.
For the study, 35 young volunteers were told to sleep in a lab for several days. Meanwhile, researchers watched their brain activities.
According to the researchers, on their first night, the left brains were more active than the right brains and people had a hard time sleeping. However, left-brain activity reduced as days went by, falling even to the point of complete calm. In this process, the volunteers got an increasingly better sleep experience.
The findings suggest that the different rhythms (节奏) of the sides of the brain influence our sleep. When the two sides work differently, the balance between them is broken. Thus, the brain can’t relax and is sensitive to anything strange in the surroundings, just as it is in the daytime.
“At some level, the brain is continuing to analyze(分析) things, even though you don’t realize the analysis,” US professor Jerome Siegel told Smithsonian Magazine. “If something unusual happens – if a door opens or you hear a key in a lock – you can be alert (警惕的).”
More surprisingly, this situation is similar to the way some animals sleep. Whales, dolphins, and many birds can sleep with half of their brain while the other half stays awake.
If you have ever had what you think is “first night effect”, researchers suggest that you bring your own pillow or sleep in a room similar to your bedroom next time you sleep away from home.
| 1.can’t you get to sleep? |
| Introduction | People can’t fall asleep2.when staying in a new environment. |
| Reason | One side of the brain stays awake to warn us about potential (潜在的) dangers. |
| Process and findings of the3. | Researchers told some 4. to sleep in a lab to watch their brain activities. Too many left-brain activities 5.the bad sleep experience on the first night. Their left brains became 6.active as time went by and became calm gradually. |
| Explanations to findings | Whether you can have a good sleep 7.on the balance between the two sides of the brain. You yourself don’t realize it,8.your brain doesn’t stop analyzing things. It’s surprising to find out that the way humans sleep is just9. some animals do. |
| 10. | Take a pillow or live in a similar room when staying in a new place. |
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Many of us have had this experience: we lie down in a bed other than our own, perhaps at a friend’s house or in a hotel room, and find it difficult to fall asleep. Is it because the bed is uncomfortable? Maybe, but perhaps there can be other reasons.
According to a new study published in Current Biology, a significant reason is what the scientists call “first night effect”. They believe that one side of the brain acts as a “night watch” to warn us about potential (潜在的) dangers. It forces us to stay awake on the first night in a new environment.
For the study, 35 young volunteers were told to sleep in a lab for several days. Meanwhile, researchers watched their brain activities.
According to the researchers, on their first night, the left brains were more active than the right brains and people had a hard time sleeping. However, left-brain activity reduced as days went by, falling even to the point of complete calm. In this process, the volunteers got an increasingly better sleep experience.
The findings suggest that the different rhythms (节奏) of the sides of the brain influence our sleep. When the two sides work differently, the balance between them is broken. Thus, the brain can’t relax and is sensitive to anything strange in the surroundings, just as it is in the daytime.
“At some level, the brain is continuing to analyze(分析) things, even though you don’t realize the analysis,” US professor Jerome Siegel told Smithsonian Magazine. “If something unusual happens – if a door opens or you hear a key in a lock – you can be alert (警惕的).”
More surprisingly, this situation is similar to the way some animals sleep. Whales, dolphins, and many birds can sleep with half of their brain while the other half stays awake.
If you have ever had what you think is “first night effect”, researchers suggest that you bring your own pillow or sleep in a room similar to your bedroom next time you sleep away from home.
| 1.can’t you get to sleep? |
| Introduction | People can’t fall asleep2.when staying in a new environment. |
| Reason | One side of the brain stays awake to warn us about potential (潜在的) dangers. |
| Process and findings of the3. | Researchers told some 4. to sleep in a lab to watch their brain activities. Too many left-brain activities 5.the bad sleep experience on the first night. Their left brains became 6.active as time went by and became calm gradually. |
| Explanations to findings | Whether you can have a good sleep 7.on the balance between the two sides of the brain. You yourself don’t realize it,8.your brain doesn’t stop analyzing things. It’s surprising to find out that the way humans sleep is just9. some animals do. |
| 10. | Take a pillow or live in a similar room when staying in a new place. |
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Many of us have had this annoying experience: You are waiting at a bus station when someone nearby begins to smoke. You move away, but there isn’t much you can do about it.
In Beijing, a new law is set to fight against smoking. A new anti-smoking regulation（管理条例）took effect on June 1st in Beijing. It is regarded as “China’s toughest（强硬的）ever” tobacco control regulation. Smoking isn’t allowed in all indoor public places, including on public transportation.
People who break the rules will be fined up to 200 yuan.
Smoking in school is specifically mentioned in this regulation. Teachers cannot smoke in front of students in primary and middle schools. Schools should also help students quit smoking and tell them about the bad effects. It can cause many diseases, such as cancer, lung and heart problems.
To get everybody involved（参与）in the movement, Beijing has set up a report hotline(12320) and Wechat account(Smoke-free Beijing). People can send photos to report smokers. The public is also invited to vote（投票）on anti-smoking gestures on Wechat. Until now, an image（形象）of a girl covering her nose with her right hand has got more than one million votes, making it the most popular gesture.
China is not the only country fighting smoking. In March 2004, Ireland became the first country to introduce a ban（禁令）on smoking in workplaces and public areas. Many countries, including English and the US, then followed.
1.A new regulation which fights against smoking took effect________ in Beijing.
A.on June 1 B.in March
C.only in school D.only on public transportation
2.The underlined word “quit” in paragraph 3 probably means ________.
A.give out B.give up
C.lose themselves in D.be found of
3.From the passage, we know ________.
A.people who break the rules will be fined up to 200 yuan
B.teachers can smoke in front of students only in middle schools
C.Ireland became the first no smoking country in 2014
D.Beijing has set up a report hotline 12369 to get everybody involved the movement
4.On Wechat, which anti-smoking gesture is the most popular?
A.
B.
C.
D.
5.What’s the best title for the passage?
A.Anti-smoking Gestures. B.The Harm of Smoking.
C.Smoke Less. D.Saying No to Smoking.
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Many of us have had this annoying(令人烦恼的) experience: You are waiting at a bus station when someone nearby begins to smoke. You move away, but there isn't much you can do about it.
In Beijing, a new law is set to fight against smoking. It is regarded as China's toughest ever tobacco control rule(最严厉的控烟条例). Smoking is not allowed in all indoor or public places. If people break the rules, they will have to pay up to 200 yuan.
Smoking in schools is specially mentioned in this law. Teachers can not smoke in front of students in schools. Schools should also help students give up smoking and teach them about the danger of smoking.
To get everybody to take part in the activity, Beijing has set up a report hotline and WeChat account(微信号). The public is invited to vote on no-smoking signs on WeChat The most popular sign is a picture of a gir1. It has got more than 1 million votes unti1 now.
China is not the only country fighting smoking. In March 2004 Ireland became the first country to introduce a law on smoking in workplaces and public places. Many countries, including England and the US, then fo1lowed.
1.When someone begins to smoke, there is little you can do except _
A. staying there B. moving away
C. Smoking together D. getting mad
2.In order to make people give up smoking, a new _ is passed in Beijing.
A. law B. plan C.sign D.topic
3.If people break the new rule in Beijing, they wil1 have to pay up to _
A.￥100 B.￥200 C.￥300 D.￥400
4.The underlined(画线的) word vote in the passage means_ .
A.计票 B.监票 C.唱票 D.投票
5.According to the last paragraph(段落), we can infer(推断) that _ .
A. Ireland was the last to introduce a law on smoking
B. China is the only country against smoking
C. many countries fight smoking in public places
D. England and the US didn't say no to smoke
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阅读下面短文，并根据所读内容在文章后表格中的空格里填入一个最恰当的单词。
注意:请将答案写在答题卡上相应题号的横线上。每个空格里只填一个单词。
Many of us have had this experience: we lie down in a bed other than our own, perhaps at a friend’s house or in a hotel room, and find it difficult to fall asleep.
Why does it happen?
A new study shows one reason is what the scientists call “first night effect”. They believe that one side of the brain acts as a “night watch” to warn us about possible dangers. It prevents us from getting to sleep on the first night in a new environment.
For the study, 35 young volunteers were asked to sleep in a sleep lab for several days as researchers watched their brain activities.
According to the researchers, on their first night, the left brain was more active than the right brain and people had a hard time sleeping. However, the left brain activity decreased(降低) as days went by, falling even to the point of complete calm. In this process, the volunteers got better and better sleep experience.
The findings show that the different rhythms(节奏) of the sides of the brain affect our sleep. When the two sides work differently, the balance between them is broken. So the brain can’t relax and is sensitive(敏感的) to anything strange around.
“At some level, the brain is continuing to work, even though you don’t realize it,” US professor Jerome Siegel told Smithsonian Magazine. “If something unusual happens, you can be alert(警惕的)”.
More surprisingly, this is like the way some animals sleep. Whales, dolphins, and many birds can sleep with half of their brain while the other half stays awake, with one eye staying open.
The researchers think that it is the result of evolution(进化) and works to protect us in possibly dangerous environments.
If you have ever had first night effect, researchers advise you to bring your own pillow or sleep in a room similar to your bedroom next time you sleep away from home.
| First night effect |
| People’s possible experience | Many people have 1. getting to sleep on the first night in a new environment. |
| The findings of the study | ♦First night effect forces us to stay awake as one side of the brain is alert to possible dangers. ♦As days go by, people’s sleep experience 2. as the left-brain activity falls. |
| The explanations to the findings | ♦On the first night in a new environment, people’s left brain is more active than the right brain and that 3. the balance between them. ♦Our brains continue to work without being realized at night so that we can be sensitive to anything unusual. ♦Some other animals sleep in the similar way, which is thought to be 4. by evolution. |
| 5. from researchers | Bring your own pillow or sleep in a bedroom that looks like yours. |
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Many of us have feelings of loneliness as we grow up. As a teenager, just eating alone in the dining hall can’t be acceptable, and girls even go to the restrooms hand in hand. They fear being called a “loner”.
In these cases, we might use the word “loner” in a disapproving (不赞成的) way. However, it can actually have a positive meaning as well.
It all depends on our attitude toward being alone. If we see being alone as something not very good, we will be against it. But if we understand that it’s an everyday part of life, we’ll be able to “hug the beauty of our solo (单独的) journey”, as best-selling US writer Mandy Hale wrote in her book The Single Woman.
In some countries, more young people are choosing to be loners. In South Korea, “honjok” has become a growing lifestyle. The word comes from Korean “hon” (alone) and “jok” (group).These people eat alone, travel alone, and enjoy being by themselves. “I hope it grows into a self-supporting culture of happiness.” said Jang Jae Young, a South Korean who runs a website about this solo lifestyle called www.honjok.me.
In Japan, people have developed a strong “loner culture” and even a “loner economy (经济).” There are many solo KTVs and solo coffee bars. Noodle restaurants for solo customers are especially popular. There are boards which separate each seat. Customers fill out a form to make an order, and then press a button to call the waiter. They don’t see the faces of other customers or waiters.
People are becoming more experienced in and comfortable about being alone. This doesn’t mean we should totally keep ourselves away from the outside world, of course. But it doesn’t hurt to have some “me time” once in a while.
1.From the passage we know that “honjok” ________.
A.means a group of loners B.is a culture which brings people closer
C.is a website run by a Korean D.will be a popular lifestyle in North Korea
2.The underlined word “separate” in Para. 5 means “________”.
A.合并 B.隔开 C.监控 D.固定
3.If we put the passage into three parts, which of the following is the best?
(①=Para.1 ②=Para.2 ③=Para.3 ④=Para. 4 ⑤=Para.5 ⑥=Para.6)
A.①; ②③; ④⑤⑥ B.①; ②③④; ⑤⑥
C.①②; ③④⑤; ⑥ D.①②③; ④⑤; ⑥
4.The best title of this passage is ________.
A.Ways to Deal with Aloneness B.A Tradition of Aloneness in Asian Countries
C.Aloneness—A Common Lifestyle D.Advantages and Disadvantages of Aloneness
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Have you ever had an embarrassing experience? Last week we asked readers to tell us about embarrassing experiences. We received thousands of letters! Here is a selection.
Tony:
My most embarrassing experience happened when I had just left university. I had just started teaching in a Liverpool middle school. One morning my alarm clock didn’t ring. I woke up at half past eight and school began at nine. I quickly washed, dressed, jumped into my car and rushed to school. When I arrived, the students had already gone into class. I didn’t go to the office, but went straight into class. After two or three minutes the students began laughing, and I couldn’t understand why! Suddenly I looked down and understood. I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe!
Henry:
The most embarrassing experience I’ve ever had happened two years ago. After seeing a film, my wife and I had lunch in our favorite restaurant in town. Then we decided to take a walk along the street. The street was very busy and we started holding hands. Suddenly my wife saw a dress that she liked in a shop window, and stopped. I started looking at some watches in the next window. After a minute or two I reached for my wife’s hand. There was a loud scream, and a woman slapped my face. I hadn’t taken my wife’s hand. I’d taken the hand of a complete stranger（陌生人）!
1. Tony arrived at school late that morning because .
A. he couldn’t find hid shoes
B. his alarm clock didn’t ring
C. he washed and dressed slowly
D. his car went wrong on the way
2.The students began laughing when they saw Tony .
A. wearing a wrong shoe
B. his alarm clock didn’t ring
C. looking down suddenly
D. rushing into the classroom
3.Henry and his wife held hands .
A. at the cinema B. in the shop
C. at the restaurant D. along the street
4.What does the underlined word “scream” mean in Chinese?
A.尖叫声 B.笑声 C.哭声 D.呼救声
5.Henry was embarrassed because he .
A. slapped the woman in the face
B. took the hand of a complete stranger
C. heard hid wife screaming in the street
D. knocked over some watches in the shops
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Have you ever had an embarrassing experience? Last week we asked readers to tell us about embarrassing experiences. We received thousands of letters! Here is a selection.
Tony:
My most embarrassing experience happened when I had just left university. I had just started teaching in a Liverpool middle school. One morning my alarm clock didn’t ring. I woke up at half past eight and school began at nine. I quickly washed, dressed, jumped into my car and rushed to school. When I arrived, the students had already gone into class. I didn’t go to the office, but went straight into class. After two or three minutes the students began laughing, and I couldn’t understand why! Suddenly I looked down and understood. I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe!
Henry:
The most embarrassing experience I’ve ever had happened two years ago. After seeing a film, my wife and I had lunch in our favorite restaurant in town. Then we decided to take a walk along the street. The street was very busy and we started holding hands. Suddenly my wife saw a dress that she liked in a shop window, and stopped. I started looking at some watches in the next window. After a minute or two I reached for my wife’s hand. There was a loud scream, and a woman slapped my face. I hadn’t taken my wife’s hand. I’d taken the hand of a complete stranger（陌生人）!
1.Tony arrived at school late that morning because .
A. he couldn’t find hid shoes B. his alarm clock didn’t ring
C. he washed and dressed slowly D. his car went wrong on the way
2.The students began laughing when they saw Tony .
A. wearing a wrong shoe B. his alarm clock didn’t ring
C. looking down suddenly D. rushing into the classroom
3.Henry and his wife held hands .
A. at the cinema B. in the shop
C. at the restaurant D. along the street
4.What does the underlined word “scream” mean in Chinese?
A.尖叫声 B.笑声 C.哭声 D.呼救声
5.Henry was embarrassed because he .
A. slapped the woman in the face
B. took the hand of a complete stranger
C. heard hid wife screaming in the street
D. knocked over some watches in the shops
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Have you ever had an embarrassing experience? Last week we asked readers to tell us about embarrassing experiences. We received thousands of letters! Here is a selection.
Tony:
My most embarrassing experience happened when I had just left university. I had just started teaching in a Liverpool middle school. One morning my alarm clock didn’t ring. I woke up at half past eight and school began at nine. I quickly washed, dressed, jumped into my car and rushed to school. When I arrived, the students had already gone into class. I didn’t go to the office, but went straight into class. After two or three minutes the students began laughing, and I couldn’t understand why! Suddenly I looked down and understood. I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe!
Henry:
The most embarrassing experience I’ve ever had happened two years ago. After seeing a film, my wife and I had lunch in our favorite restaurant in town. Then we decided to take a walk along the street. The street was very busy and we started holding hands. Suddenly my wife saw a dress that she liked in a shop window, and stopped. I started looking at some watches in the next window. After a minute or two I reached for my wife’s hand. There was a loud scream, and a woman slapped my face. I hadn’t taken my wife’s hand. I’d taken the hand of a complete stranger（陌生人）!
1.Tony arrived at school late that morning because .
A. he couldn’t find hid shoes
B. his alarm clock didn’t ring
C. he washed and dressed slowly
D. his car went wrong on the way
2.The students began laughing when they saw Tony .
A. wearing a wrong shoe
B. his alarm clock didn’t ring
C. looking down suddenly
D. rushing into the classroom
3.Henry and his wife held hands .
A. at the cinema B. in the shop
C. at the restaurant D. along the street
4. What does the underlined word “scream” mean in Chinese?
A.尖叫声 B.笑声 C.哭声 D.呼救声
5.Henry was embarrassed because he .
A. slapped the woman in the face
B. took the hand of a complete stranger
C. heard hid wife screaming in the street
D. knocked over some watches in the shops
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Have you ever had an embarrassing experience? Last week we asked readers to tell us about embarrassing experiences. We received thousands of letters! Here is a selection.
Tony:
My most embarrassing experience happened when I had just left university. I had just started teaching in a Liverpool middle school. One morning my alarm clock didn’t ring. I woke up at half past eight and school began at nine. I quickly washed, dressed, jumped into my car and rushed to school. When I arrived, the students had already gone into class. I didn’t go to the office, but went straight into class. After two or three minutes the students began laughing, and I couldn’t understand why! Suddenly I looked down and understood. I had put on one black shoe and one brown shoe!
Henry:
The most embarrassing experience I’ve ever had happened two years ago. After seeing a film, my wife and I had lunch in our favorite restaurant in town. Then we decided to take a walk along the street. The street was very busy and we started holding hands. Suddenly my wife saw a dress that she liked in a shop window, and stopped. I started looking at some watches in the next window. After a minute or two I reached for my wife’s hand. There was a loud scream, and a woman slapped my face. I hadn’t taken my wife’s hand. I’d taken the hand of a complete stranger（陌生人）!
1.Tony arrived at school late that morning because .
A. he couldn’t find hid shoes B. his alarm clock didn’t ring
C. he washed and dressed slowly D. his car went wrong on the way
2.The students began laughing when they saw Tony .
A. wearing a wrong shoe B. his alarm clock didn’t ring
C. looking down suddenly D. rushing into the classroom
3.Henry and his wife held hands .
A. at the cinema B. in the shop C. at the restaurant D. along the street
4.What does the underlined word “scream” mean in Chinese?
A.尖叫声 B.笑声 C.哭声 D.呼救声
5.Henry was embarrassed because he .
A. slapped the woman in the face
B. took the hand of a complete stranger
C. heard hid wife screaming in the street
D. knocked over some watches in the shops