1 . A newly published study shows that chess players perform objectively worse and — make more suboptimal (次最优的) moves when there is more fine particulate matter (颗粒物) in the air.

“We find that when individuals are exposed to higher levels of air pollution, they make more mistakes, and they make larger mistakes,” says Juan Palacios, a co-author of a newly published paper detailing the study’s findings.

Scholars have produced many studies exploring the effects of air pollution on cognition. The current study adds to that literature by analyzing the subject in a particularly controlled setting. The scholars used three web-connected sensors inside the tournament venue to measure carbon dioxide, PM2.5 concentrations, and temperature, all of which, can, be affected by external conditions, even in an indoor setting.

To evaluate the matter of performance of players, meanwhile, the scholars used software programs that assess each move made in each chess match, identify optimal decisions, and flag significant errors. During the tournaments, the researchers examined and ruled out alternate potential explanations for the dip in player performance, such as increased noise. They also found that carbon dioxide and temperature changes did not correspond to performance changes. Ultimately, the analysis confirms that the findings are driven by the direct exposure to air particles.

The researchers also found that when air pollution was worse, the chess, players performed even more poorly when under time constraints. The tourmament rules required that 40 moves had to be made within 110 minutes; for moves 31-40 in all, the matches, an air pollution, increase of 10 micro-grams per cubic meter led to an increased probability of error of 3.2 percent, with the magnitude of those errors increasing by 17.3 percent. And while the focus of this particular study is tightly focused on chess players, the findings have strong implications for high-skilled office workers.

1. What does the study find about air pollution?

A．It becomes more and more serious in the gym.

B．It can help evaluate chess players’ performance.

C．It may affect more people with mental processes.

D．It can’t be affected by indoor surroundings.

2. Why were software programs used in the study?

A．To measure carbon dioxide and temperature.

B．To assess the performance of players.

C．To help players make great moves.

D．To distinguish players’ errors in time.

3. What does the underlined word “constraints” probably mean?

A．Limit.

B．Freedom.

C．Consumption.

D．Measurement.

4. What is the text mainly about?

A．Various reasons for chess players’ mistakes.

B．A new research on chess players’ performance.

C．Scholars’ concern about chess players’ health.

D．The influence of air pollution on chess players.

2 . The African penguin is expected to go extinct in the wild in just over a decade, given its current population decline. The main reason is a lack of food caused by disturbance to ocean conditions from global heating and competition from the commercial fishing industry. According to a study, scientists have identified a possible additional cause, one that is an entirely new threat and that further prevents the penguins from finding food: noise pollution from marine (海洋的) ships in a bay.

Since 2016, a new shipping practice has started at Algoa Bay. The bay offers ship-to-ship refueling for ships anchored offshore. Since the start of this practice, marine traffic in the bay has doubled. The number of bulk carriers (散货船) pulling into the bay has increased by ten times as much. Thus the noise levels in the area had doubled and the population of penguins has dropped sharply. High noise levels affect the ability of marine animals to find food, communicate or navigate properly.

Researchers used data from ship identification tools to estimate underwater noise from passing ships. They also attached underwater microphones and accelerometers (感应器) to some of the penguins. Recording the noise will tell researchers what the penguins are hearing, if they’re talking while hunting, if they’re changing their movements in response to noise, and if the noise is drowning out their hunting conversations. This will allow researchers to determine whether the sound disturbance is a direct cause of the penguins’ ongoing difficulties in finding sufficient food.

The study is the first to explore the effects of ocean traffic noise pollution on seabirds and the consequences of offshore shipping activities on underwater noise levels. Experts are considering proposing various global best-practice approaches to reduce some of the impacts of noise pollution, such as policies that limit the number and size of ships allowed into a bay of this kind. “We also need more scientific monitoring of noise, before these measures are put in place and afterward, so that we have a proper understanding of what works.” a researcher said.

1. What is caused by the noise pollution?

A．The penguins’ lack of food.

B．The penguins’ proper navigation.

C．People’s communication disability.

D．The commercial competition.

2. Why did scientists attach microphones to penguins?

A．Because they wanted to study the way of relieving marine traffic pressure.

B．Because they could determine and analyze the source of ocean noise pollution

C．Because it helped to calculate underwater noise levels caused by different ships.

D．Because the impact of ocean on penguins’ hunting behavior could be found.

3. How can the noise pollution be reduced?

A．By exploring the real effects of ocean traffic.

B．By restricting the ships to go into the bay.

C．By banning all the offshore shipping activities.

D．By increasing ship-to-ship refueling activities.

4. What will researchers probably do next?

A．Evaluate the risk of the noise.

B．Establish a monitoring system.

C．Put the measures in place.

D．Try to understand what happens.