1 . Taking an afternoon nap could keep your brain sharp, a new study has said. Adults ages 60 and older who took afternoon naps showed signs of better mental ability compared to those who didn’t nap, according to a study published in General Psychiatry earlier this week.

Researchers analyzed napping habits in 2, 214 older Chinese people and measured their cognitive abilities using several cognitive tests. Participants took the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, both of which test for memory, language and other cognitive abilities. In every category listed in the study, nappers tested statistically higher on average compared to their non-napping counterparts.

Researchers did not gather data from people under 60, so a correlation cannot be drawn between napping and younger generations. The study also noted that there are conflicting studies about the benefits and risks of napping.

Sleeping behaviors can be affected by a multitude of factors, said Dr. David Neubauer, associate professor at Johns Hopkins University. “Daily routines, medication use and sleep disorders can all play a role in how frequently someone takes a nap.” he said.

Neubauer recommended taking a shorter “power nap” of up to 20 minutes to decrease the chances of transitioning into slow-wave sleep, which makes people feel groggy when they wake up. “Napping can be a healthy part of an older adult’s day”, Neubauer acknowledged, but make sure “sleepiness isn’t due to a treatable nighttime sleep disorder.” Older individuals who want to do all they can to preserve their cognitive functioning should put nighttime sleep first.

1. What is the best way to keep a better cognitive ability for the old?

A．Take a nap every day.

B．Take sleep disorder seriously.

C．Have a good sleep at night.

D．Do exercise regularly.

2. How did the researchers reach the conclusion?

A．By taking the examinations and assessment.

B．By analyzing napping habits and giving tests.

C．By measuring nappers’ ability and analyzing them.

D．By doing an experiment.

3. Which has NO effect on one’s sleeping behaviors?

A．Taking a nap.

B．Medicine treatment

C．Sleep problems

D．Everyday activities.

4. What can we know about “slow-wave sleep”?

A．It appears in short nap up to 20 minutes.

B．People should avoid it in their naps.

C．It is a healthy part of an elder’s day.

D．It was recommended by Neubauer.