During an interview for one of my books, my interviewer said something I still think about often. Annoyed by the level of distraction (干扰) in his open office, he said, “That’s why I have a membership at the coworking space across the street—so I can focus.” His comment struck me as strange. After all, coworking spaces also typically use an open office layout (布局). But I recently came across a study that shows why his approach works.
The researchers examined various levels of noise on participants as they completed tests of creative thinking. They were randomly divided into four groups and exposed to various noise levels in the background, from total silence to 50 decibels (分贝), 70 decibels, and 85 decibels. The differences between most of the groups were statistically insignificant; however, the participants in the 70 decibels group—those exposed to a level of noise similar to background chatter in a coffee shop—significantly outperformed the other groups. Since the effects were small, this may suggest that our creative thinking does not differ that much in response to total silence and 85 decibels of background noise.
But since the results at 70 decibels were significant, the study also suggests that the right level of background noise—not too loud and not total silence—may actually improve one’s creative thinking ability. The right level of background noise may interrupt our normal patterns of thinking just enough to allow our imaginations to wander, without making it impossible to focus. This kind of “distracted focus” appears to be the best state for working on creative tasks.
So why do so many of us hate our open offices? The problem may be that, in our offices, we can’t stop ourselves from getting drawn into others’ conversations while we’re trying to focus. Indeed, the researchers found that face-to-face interactions and conversations affect the creative process, and yet a coworking space or a coffee shop provides a certain level of noise while also providing freedom from interruptions.
1. Why does the interviewer prefer a coworking space?| A．It helps him concentrate. |
| B．It blocks out background noise. |
| C．It has a pleasant atmosphere. |
| D．It encourages face-to-face interactions. |
| A．Total silence. | B．50 decibels. |
| C．70 decibels. | D．85 decibels. |
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【推荐1】Are you preparing for a big test? If so, you may want to play some basketball in between hitting the books. Doctors are starting to find more and more information that suggests a connection between exercise and brain development. Judy Cameron, a scientist at Oregon Health and Science University, studies brain development. According to her research, it seems that exercise can make blood vessels(管), including those in the brain, stronger and more fully developed. Dr. Cameron claims this allows people who exercise to concentrate better. As she says, “While we already know that exercise is good for the heart, exercise can really cause physical changes in the brain.”
The effects of exercise on brain development can even be seen in babies. Babies who do activities that require a lot of movement and physical activity show greater brain development than babies who are less physically active. With babies, even a little movement can show big results. Margaret Barnes, a pediatrician(儿科医生), believes in the importance of exercise. She thinks that many learning disabilities that children have in elementary school or high school can be traced back to a lack of movement as babies. “Babies need movement that stimulates their five senses. They need to establish a connection between motion and memory. In this way, as they get older, children will begin to associate physical activity with higher learning,” says Margaret.
Older people can beef up their brains as well. Scientists from 11 universities studied a group of seniors ranging in age from seventy to seventy-nine. Their study showed a short-term memory increase of up to 40 percent after exercising just three hours a week. The exercise does not have to be very difficult, but it does have to increase the heart rate. Also, just like the motion for infants (婴儿), exercise for older people should involve some complexity. Learning some new skills or motions, such as with yoga or tai-chi, helps to open up memory paths in the brain that may not have been used for a long time.
For most people, any type of physical activity that increases the heart rate is helpful. The main goal is to increase the brain’s flow of blood. And your brain can benefit from as little as three hours of exercise a week.
1. According to the reading, what is the connection between exercise and brain development?| A．Exercise makes us stupid. |
| B．The brain needs special mental exercise. |
| C．Physical exercise helps us think better. |
| D．The more exercise, the bigger the brain. |
| A．40hours per week |
| B．three hours per week |
| C．three hours per day |
| D．40hours per month. |
| A．It includes learning new motions. |
| B．It can be done in groups. |
| C．It does not increase the heart rate. |
| D．It is easy to learn. |
| A．How to exercise |
| B．How the brain can change |
| C．How to get good scores on a test |
| D．How exercise helps the brain |
【推荐2】It is reported that using a smartphone at mealtimes can lead to an expanding waistline. Researchers have found that men and women consumed 15 percent more calories when looking at their phones while eating. They also ate more fatty food. The groundbreaking study suggests that staring at a phone screen may distract diners from how much food they are actually eating.
"It may prevent the correct understanding of the brain over the amount of food that is eaten," said researchers who filmed 62 volunteers eating alone.
The men and women, aged from 18 to 28, were invited to help themselves to a choice of food 一 ranging from healthy options to soft drinks and chocolates - until they were finally satisfied. In three trials, the volunteers were recorded eating with no distractions, using a smart phone or reading a magazine. According to the study, on average, the volunteers ate 535 calories without the distraction of a smartphone but 591 calories when using a mobile phone instead.
Those in the sample who were classified as overweight ate 616 calories while using their phones. When they were in possession of their mobile phones, the volunteers consumed 10 percent more fatty foods. When reading a magazine, they also ate more compared with no distractions during a meal, but they consume less calories compared with the use of smart phones when having a meal.
"The use of a smart phone during a meal increased calorie and fat intake," said Marcio Gilberto Zangeronimoa, a lead author of the study carried out at the Federal University of Lavras in Brazil and University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands.
He added, "At present, tablets and smart phones have become the main 'distractors' during meals, even early in childhood, and distractors prevent the brain correctly understanding the amount of food ingested, so it is important to pay attention to how this may impact food choices."
1. Which phrase can best replace the underlined word "distract" in the first paragraph?| A．Draw ... to ... | B．Give ... out. |
| C．Bring about... | D．Break ... up. |
| A．eating with no distractions | B．eating with a magazine |
| C．eating with a phone | D．eating with a tablet |
| A．Favorable. | B．Negative. | C．Indifferent. | D．Surprised. |
| A．a diary | B．a magazine | C．a novel | D．a tourist guide |
【推荐3】It is a question people have been asking for ages.
For centuries, people have been looking for a “fountain of youth.” The idea is that if you find a magical fountain, and drink from its waters, you will not become old. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León searched for waters with magical powers in the early 1500s. But what he found instead is the American State of Florida.
Researchers in New York did not find a fountain of youth in fact, but they may have found a way to turn back the aging process. It appears the answer may be hidden right between your eyes, in an area called the hypothalamus (丘脑下部). It is part of your brain.
Dongsheng Cai, a professor at New York's Albert Einstein College of Medicine, found that hypothalamus stem cells influence how fast aging takes place in the body.
“So when hypothalamus function is decreasing, particularly the loss of hypothalamus stem cells, this protection against the aging development is lost. It finally leads to aging.”
Using this information, the researchers began trying to activate (激活) the hypothalamus in mice. They did this by putting stem cells from younger mice into middle-aged animals. Later, the researchers examined mice and tested for changes in behavior.
Cai says when hypothalamus stem cells, which were derived from young mice was put into middle-aged mice, the mice aged slowly and they also have increased the length of their lives.
| A．Is there a way to turn back the aging process？ |
| B．It controls important activities within the body. |
| C．But these findings were just from studying mice in a lab. |
| D．He also reported that when it starts aging, so does the body. |
| E．Aging speed can be controlled by a particular place in the body. |
| F．They also looked for changes in the strength of the animals' muscles. |
| G．They are simple cells, that can develop into specialized cells, like blood or skin cells. |
【推荐1】Keeping dogs becomes more and more popular in people’s life. Dogs can offer companionship. They’re good listeners and help people banish (消除) loneliness. They can bring people comfort and pleasure. Besides, dogs require daily walks, which means that their owners, too, experience fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. As a result, people get physical and mental health benefits of owning a dog.
However, dogs may carry diseases that can make you sick. When you have a dog, it is important for you to keep in mind that you should often wash your hands-especially after you touch, feed, or clean it up. It is the best way to keep yourself healthy and prevent the spread of diseases. Be sure to clean your fingernails carefully every time you wash your hands.
Always remember to wear gloves while cleaning the cages. Avoid washing your dog in the bathtub (浴缸) , but if you do, disinfect (消毒) it immediately afterwards.
It’s necessary to take your dog to the hospital for regular examinations. Whenever it is sick or injured, you should have it treated in the hospital at once.
You can also do a few other things to keep yourself and your dog healthy. Only give your dog food that has been planned ahead for it. It’s not a good idea to share your food with your dog. Human food (like chocolate) can make animals sick. Never feed your dog raw (生的) meat because it carries germs (细菌) that may cause serious illnesses.
Don't let your dog drink from the toilet. It's bad for its health! Give your dog clean water to drink all the time.
Never give milk to your dog. The only milk an animal should drink is from its mother. Cow’s milk is not for dogs, as it makes them sick.
Finally, don’t take a wild or abandoned (被遗弃的) dog to your house without physical examination because it may have diseases that could make you or your family sick. Instead, turn to an animal rescue group that is trained in helping sick or abandoned animals.
1. The first paragraph mainly tells us that dogs ________.| A．carry diseases | B．need daily walks |
| C．do harm to people’s health | D．bring people health benefits |
| A．washing your dog in the bathtub | B．taking your dog for examinations regularly |
| C．wearing gloves when cleaning your dog’s cage | D．washing your fingernails after touching your dog |
| A．Feeding your little dog with raw meat. | B．Sharing your chocolate with your dog. |
| C．Letting your dog drink from the toilet. | D．Giving your dog the food just cooked for it. |
| A．help to find its owner | B．give it first aid in time |
| C．call an animal rescue group | D．bring it back to your home |
| A．Tradition and Culture. | B．Health and Lifestyle. |
| C．Nature and Environment. | D．Technology and Art. |
【推荐2】There have been many fine films over the past several years about characters struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. But few of them have gone as deeply and frighteningly into the corners of a deteriorating mind as The Father, a powerful new drama built around a spellbinding performance from Anthony Hopkins.
At this point in his long career, Hopkins would seem to have exhausted his ability to surprise us, but his work here is nothing short of astonishing. His character, also named Anthony, is 80 years old and has dementia. At the beginning of the movie, his daughter, Anne — played by Olivia Colman — stops by his London apartment to check on him. Her father's condition has taken a turn for the worse, and his temper has become severe enough to send his latest live in nurse packing. Anthony is stubborn and defiant and insists that he can manage on his own. But that's clearly not the case, given his habit of misplacing his things and his inability to remember names and faces, Anne's included.
As The Father goes on, the more it becomes clear that it's his own mind that's playing tricks on him. What makes the movie so unsettling is the way it wires us directly into his subjective experience, so that the foundations of the story seem to shift at random from scene to scene. A man suddenly appears in the apartment, claiming to be Anne's husband, which is odd, since just a few moments earlier, Anne seemed to be single. Anne goes out shopping for groceries, but when she returns, she's played not by Olivia Colman but by another actress, Olivia Williams. Even the apartment itself begins to shift. You notice puzzling differences-wasn't there a lamp on that hallway table just a moment ago?
The story in The Father may be complicated but it's also heartbreakingly simple: man grows old and loses his memory, and his daughter, after lifetime of love and devotion, must begin the long painful process of saying goodbye. Hopkins shows us Anthony's struggle to keep his sense about him. It's a striking performance-and an impossible one to forget.
1. What does the underlined word “deteriorating” mean in the first paragraph?| A．Worsening. | B．Narrowing. | C．Recovering. | D．Improving. |
| A．He can take care of himself | B．He drives away the nurses. |
| C．He is easy-going and forgetful. | D．He lives with his daughter all the time. |
| A．build the dramatic tension in the family. |
| B．show off the well-designed story line. |
| C．frighten the movie-goers with mysterious plot. |
| D．involve the viewers into the disordered memories. |
| A．He has run out of his talent. | B．He is not suitable for the role |
| C．He masterly plays the old man. | D．He presents an odd performance. |
【推荐3】When you look in the mirror, you see yourself. That puts you in the company of animals like dolphins, elephants and chimpanzees. The mirror test is often used as a way of measuring whether animals have self-awareness. And an animal that is aware of itself has a high level of intelligence. Now, a species of fish — the cleaner wrasse — has also spotted its reflection.
Alex Jordan, a biologist at the Max Planck Institute in Germany, is one of the researchers of the study on cleaner wrasse consciousness. He and his team conducted many tests that show the fish does seem to recognize its reflection — when the researchers added a colored mark to its body, the fish would even, to remove the mark upon catching sight of it in the mirror. It seems to indicate the clever fish species has some sense of self or individuality.
But Jordan said, “I’m the last to say that the cleaner wrasse fish is as smart as chimpanzees.” Instead, he believes that the measure scientists have used for nearly 50 years is imperfect.
One problem with the test, for example, is that it uses vision to measure self-awareness. Yet not all animals rely on sight to recognize themselves. It may well be that a bat, for example, which depends on sonar to get around, is self-conscious. Elephants, while able to pass the mirror test, rely more heavily on smell than on sight.
Consciousness in humans or animals is not easy to measure or understand. Philosophers and scientists have long wrestled with the questions of how a sense of self is assessed, and how it relates to physical processes. Jordan believes the cleaner wrasse is self-cognizant, but not the same extent as a human. This means scientists need to reconsider whether some concepts centered on humans can be used in understanding animals.
1. Why are dolphins, elephants and chimpanzees mentioned in the text?| A．They are as clever as humans. | B．They have some sense of self. |
| C．They have the same intelligence. | D．They are widely used in experiments. |
| A．doubt whether the mirror test is reliable |
| B．discover the secret about the fish's sight |
| C．develop a better method to replace the mirror test |
| D．believe the cleaner wrasse is as smart as chimpanzees |
| A．Presented with. | B．Ended with. | C．Struggled with. | D．Agreed with. |
| A．It is relatively easy to test animals' consciousness. |
| B．Some concepts for humans can't be applied to animals. |
| C．Animals rely on at least two senses to get to know themselves. |
| D．More mirror tests are needed to prove the cleaner wrasse is self-aware. |
