1、The Sleep EnvironmentDoes that drip, drip, drip of the faucet keep you up at night? Do you need to keep your fan running because “white noise“ helps you sleep? Have you ever tossed and turned because you were too hot, or too cold? What about the barking dog or cat that jumps onto your bed have they
2、ever disrupted your sleep? Most of us recognize that the sleep environment can greatly affect how (and if) we sleep, but are you doing everything you can to make your bedroom a sleep haven? Learn about the dos and donts of the sleep environment and then get tips for making your bedroom more sleep-fr
3、iendly. Noise Noises at levels as low as 40 decibels or as high as 70 decibels generally keep us awake. That means that a dripping faucet can steal your sleep, as well as the next door neighbors blaring stereo. But the absence or presence of a familiar noise can have as great an impact on your sleep
4、 as out-of-the-ordinary noises studies show that sirens and traffic noise from a city street can actually become soothing to longtime city sleepers just as the absence of the tick, tick, tick of your favorite clock while you try to sleep at a hotel can become a sleep stealer.What to do: Try to block
5、 out unwanted sounds with earplugs or use “white noise“ such as a fan or an air conditioner. Take your favorite clock with you when you travel in order to recreate familiar sounds that help you sleep (as long as they wont keep your neighbors awake!)Temperature In most cases, temperatures above 75 de
6、grees Fahrenheit and below 54 degrees will disrupt sleep, but even sleep researchers fail to agree on the ideal temperature for sleep. The point at which sleep is interrupted due to temperature or climate conditions varies from person to person and can be affected by bed clothes and bedding material
7、s selected by the sleeper. In general, most sleep scientists believe that a slightly cool room contributes to good sleep. Thats because it mimics what occurs inside the body when the bodys internal temperature drops during the night to its lowest level. (For good sleepers, this occurs about four hou
8、rs after they begin sleeping.)What to do: In general, sleep scientists recommend keeping your room slightly cool but achieving the ideal temperature isnt always simple. What do you do if you and your partner disagree about room temperature? Turning the thermostat down at night in cold weather saves
9、on fuel bills and sets the stage for sleep. Blankets, comforters or electric blankets can lock in heat without feeling too heavy or confining. Or the heat-seeking partner might dress in warmer bedclothes while the warmer partner might opt not to wear sleep clothes or bed covering. In summer, a room
10、thats too hot can also be disruptive. In fact, research suggests that a hot sleeping environment leads to more wake time and lighter sleep at night, while awakenings multiply. An air conditioner or fan can help, and a humidifier can provide relief if youre suffering from a sore throat or dryness in
11、your nose.Light Much of our sleep patterns feeling sleepy at night and awake during the day are regulated by light and darkness. Light strong light, like bright outdoor light is the most powerful regulator of our biological clock. The biological clock influences when we feel sleepy and when we feel
12、alert. As a result, finding the balance of light and darkness exposure is important. Bright light helps to keep you awake during the day, but during sleep, bright lights can be disturbing.What to do: Make sure to expose yourself to enough bright light during the day. Find time for sunlight, or purch
13、ase a lightbox or light visor to supplement your exposure to light. At bedtime, think dark: a dark bedroom contributes to better sleep. Try light-blocking curtains, drapes or an eye mask. If you find yourself waking earlier than youd like, try increasing your exposure to bright light in the evening.
14、 It may delay sleep onset but as little as one to two hours of evening bright light exposure may help you sleep longer in the morning. Also, make sure to avoid light if you wake up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. Minimize light by using a low illumination night light.Sleeping Surfa
15、ce For the most part, we know people sleep better when horizontal and not cramped by space. Not much research has been done to understand the sleeping surface, but it is clear that it plays a role in getting a good nights sleep. For example, tossing and turning on a lumpy 20-year-old mattress that d
16、oesnt provide support for your back or neck can impede you from getting the sleep you need and make you very sleepy the next day. Mattress experts say that too often consumers believe that ultra-firm mattresses are good for them, but research on patients with back pain found this was not true and a
17、more supple, comforting mattress may lead to better sleep.Also, know your pillow: research shows that pillows house thousands of fungal spores which can trigger allergies and compromise a weakened immune system. The research shows that synthetic pillows held a greater amount of bacteria than feather
18、 pillows. So, not only can a pillow affect your posture and quality of sleep, but it can also affect your allergies or asthma and make it very difficult to get a good nights rest. What to do: Give yourself enough space to sleep. If you share a bed with a partner, make sure it is large enough to give
19、 both of you room to move around. Replace an old mattress with a new one, and choose a pillow and mattress that fits you best (soft, firm, thick, thin?) and will be comfortable throughout the whole night. Consumer Reports recently found that consumers who spent 15 minutes or more testing each mattre
20、ss at the store were more likely to be happy with their purchase. Also, consider encasing your pillow in a plastic cover under your pillowcase to keep dust-mites from interfering with your sleep and allergy or asthma symptoms. Read the passage quickly and answer the questions. For Questions 1-7, mar
21、k Y (for YES) if the statement agrees with the information given in the passage; N (for NO) if the statement contradicts the information given in the passage; NG (for NOT GIVEN) if the information is not given in the passage. For Questions 8-10, complete the sentences with the information given in t
22、he passage.1. Contrary to common belief, the sleep environment does not really influence peoples sleep quality. Y N NG 2. Familiar noise like the tick sound of your favorite clock is a common factor that prevents you from sleep. Y N NG 3. Sleep researchers have not agreed on an ideal temperature for
23、 sleep. Y N NG 4. Studies have found that a slightly cool room is favorable for sleep. Y N NG 5. Light is the most powerful regulator of our sleep patterns. Y N NG 6. Bed partners with sleep disorders can negatively impact your sleep. Y N NG 7. A lot of research has been done to understand how sleep
24、ing surface impacts sleep. Y N NG 8. One way to sleep longer in the morning is to _ in the evening. 9. Research has found that pillows containing fungal pores may weaken your _. 10. If you spend some time testing mattress before buying it, you would be likely to _. Boys with Eating DisordersNo one k
25、nows what Tony does at lunchtime. His friends all gather at the dining hall where they share stories and eat. They talk about their lives and the things they have seen in movies or read in books. But Tony doesnt care about these things, and he doesnt join them. In fact, there is only one thing on To
26、nys mindbuilding the perfect body. And while his friends are chatting away, Tony is in the gym by himself, lifting weights. Now, he is able to lift more than ever. He has also measured his arms and legs and weighed himself. He knows he is in the best shape of his life. But its not enough.Introductio
27、na real problem People say that women and girls are the ones who have body size issues, the ones who develop eating disorders, and the ones affected most by the media pressure. It is true that women and girls are affected more, but the same issues also affect men and boys. Experts believe the number
28、 of boys affected is increasing and that many cases may not be reported, since males are reluctant to acknowledge any illness mostly associated with females. Where it comes from There is more and more media pressure for men and boys to take on the look of the well-muscled athletes and actors. Males
29、are becoming uncomfortable about their physical appearance and self-image. Sports, health, and fitness magazines focus on the importance of having muscles and the methods to obtain those perfect sports bodies. Boys tend to do a great deal of weight training and, if they do not see immediate results,
30、 they often turn to using steroids (类固醇) and vitamins that advertise unbelievable muscle gain. The average boy cannot come near meeting the impossible “standard” of the medias male body perfection. They are not going to be Arnold Schwarzenegger or some other action star, or have the well-muscled bod
31、y of athletes. The most popular magazines carry images of women and men on the covers that represent about 3 percent of the population. Obviously, that leaves 97 percent who cannot measure up to that level of a desired body image. Magazines, especially those aimed at men and boys, spread the “body b
32、uilding” message around. Advertisements promote weight lifting, body building or muscle toning. The V-shaped body with great muscles is emphasized as the ideal. The need to make weight for a sport like boxing can cause eating disorders. The demand for pills (药片) that give energy and decrease a perso
33、ns desire to eat is high among those needing to make weight. Weight training, sports, and conversation with friends can lead boys to abnormal eating habits, which can lead to eating disorders. Even the toys they play with create pressure. The toy action figures have more muscles today than they did
34、in the past. Their bodies are setting unrealistic ideals for boys in much the same way dolls have been blamed for giving an unrealistic body ideal for girls. One of the side effects of this body consciousness for both boys and girls is the tendency to turn to smoking to keep their weight down. Overw
35、eight boys in the age range of 9 to 14 were 65% more likely to think about or try smoking than their peers. The same study found that boys who worked out every day in order to lose weight were twice as likely to experiment with tobacco. Males with poor body image are also more likely to take drugs a
36、nd get angry easily. The effects of a poor body image Its not uncommon for people who think poorly of their bodies to have problems in other areas of their lives, including careers and relationships. Ones feelings of self-worth, behavior, and social confidence can all be related to either a good or
37、a bad body image. How you see yourself affects every part of your life. More and more health-care professionals are starting to realize the degree that boys can be influenced by body image. One recent study showed that of boys between the ages of 7 and 9, fifty percent wanted to reshape their body.
38、This percentage (百分比 ) increases as they reach their teens and want to take part in sports and impress girls. It is something that can follow you throughout life if you do not learn to understand that there is more to you than your muscles and body shape. Advice for people with a poor body image If
39、you are a boy or a young man who is worried too much about how your body looks, you should remember that your body is just one part of who you are. And it is not even a very important part. You are not just what your body means. Your worth as a person, or your identity as a man, is not determined by
40、 your weight or body shape. Develop your potential. Think about your unique gifts. Meaningful relationships, well-established goals, and kindheartedness to others lead to a balanced life and better feelings of ones self. An over-muscled body just doesnt do these. And if you are still having trouble
41、with doubts or concerns about your body, rather than work out more or eat less, see a doctor about your problems. By talking to a psychologist, you may reduce your anxieties, and finally make them a thing of the past so that you can turn to much more important things in life. Psychologists have had
42、a great deal of success stories in treating young men with the same problem, and, most likely, they will be able to help you as well.Read the passage quickly and answer the questions. For Questions 1-7, choose the best answer from the four choices marked A), B), C) and D). For Questions 8-10, comple
43、te the sentences with the information given in the passage. 1. Tony is most concerned with _. A. having an eating disorder B. eating his lunch C. building a perfect body D. gaining weight 2. _ are more affected by the body size issues. A. Women and girls B. Men and boys C. Women and boys D. Men and
44、girls 3. Some sports magazines teach the young men _. A. to become a real athlete B. to become a healthy actor C. to use vitamins to keep healthy D. to obtain perfect sports bodies 4. The ideal body shown in magazines _. A. cannot be good for sports B. demands pills C. cannot measure up D. is shaped
45、 like a V 5. Boys and girls would possibly turn to _ for help to keep their weight down. A. playing B. smoking C. taking pills D. weight training 6. _ can be related to self-worth, behavior, and social confidence. A. A good or bad body B. Body image C. Every part of your life D. Taking drugs 7. Half
46、 of all boys between 7 and 9 want _. A. to impress girls B. to play sports C. to reshape their bodies D. to have a good body image 8. Males who worry too much should keep in mind that the body is just a part of _. 9. You wont have a balanced life and better feelings just because you have_ . 10. It i
47、s likely that psychologists can help you because they have had much success treating _. MagicMagic (魔术) is a form of entertainment that is based on pretending to do things which are impossible. The magician (魔术师) is a specially trained actor. He tries to make the audience believe that he has the pow
48、er to do things which are against the law of nature.Magic shows are entertaining as long as the audience does not discover how the tricks are done. The magician always tries to keep his tricks a secret.The tricks employed in magic performanceThe magician usually depends on his skill with his hands,
49、on his knowledge of psychology, and, sometimes, on mechanical (机械的) devices. Since magic tricks are meant to fool people, the use of psychology is important. The magician must keep people from noticing all the movements of his hands and from thinking about the secret parts of his equipment. He must also lead the audience to draw false conclusions. The magicians success depends on the fact that many things seen by the eye do not regi
