【小阅读^大脑袋】0721 NO.390

Are you sometimes a little tired and sleepy in the early afternoon? Many people feel this way after lunch. They may think that eating lunch is the cause of the sleepiness. Or, in summer, they may think it is the heat. However, the real reason lies inside their bodies. At that time – about eight hours after you wake up – your body temperature goes down. This is what makes you slow down and feel sleepy. Scientists have tested sleep habits in experiments where there was no night or day. The people in these experiments almost always followed a similar sleeping pattern. They slept for one long period and then for one short period about eight hours later.

In many parts of the world, people take naps in the middle of the day. This is especially true in warmer climates, where the heat makes work difficult in the early afternoon. Researchers are now saying that naps are good for everyone in any climate. A daily nap gives one a more rested body and mind and therefore is good for health in general. In countries where naps are traditional, people often suffer less from problem such as heart disease.

Many working people, unfortunately, have no time to take naps. Though doctors may advise taking naps, employers do not allow it! If you do have the chance, however, here are a few tips about making the most of your nap. Remember that the best time to take a nap is about eight hours after you get up. A short sleep too late in the day may only make you feel more tired and sleepy afterward. This can also happen if you sleep for too long. If you do not have enough time, try a short nap – even ten minutes of sleep can be helpful.
CCB
答案解析：
1. Why do people feel sleepy in the early afternoon according to the text?
A. They eat too much for lunch.
B. They sleep too little at night.
C. Their body temperature becomes lower.
D. The weather becomes a lot warmer.
解析：C正确
为什么人们午后会昏昏欲睡？
the real reason lies inside their bodies，后面解释了是因为在那个时间段人的体温下降。

 

2. If you get up at 6:30 am, what is the best time for you to take a nap?
A. About 12:30 pm.
B. About 1:30 pm.
C. About 2:30 pm
D. About 3:30 pm
解析：C正确
如果你早上6:30起床，睡午觉的最佳时间是什么时候？
根据Remember that the best time to take a nap is about eight hours after you get up，起床后八个小时是最佳午睡时间。

3. What would be the best title for the text?
A. Just for a Rest
B. All for a Nap
C. A Special Sleep Pattern.
D. Taking Naps in Warmer Climate.
解析：B正确
文章的最佳标题是哪个？
文章的关键词是nap，主要就是围绕nap在讨论，包括为什么会在午后困倦，午睡的好处，需要注意的地方等方面。
其他选项都偏离文章主旨。

参考译文：
你是否有时会感觉午后有些困倦？许多人在吃过午饭后都有这种感觉。他们可能认为这是“晕饭”。或是，在夏天，他们可能觉得是炎热的天气引起的。然而，真正的原因在身体内部。在那个时间里——大约在你醒后八个小时——你的体温下降。这造成了你反应迟钝，犯困。科学家用实验测试睡眠习惯，实验不分昼夜。实验目标几乎总是有相似的睡眠模式。他们睡一长段时间，然后在大约八个小时后睡较短的时间。

在世界的许多地方，人们会在中午小睡一下。特别是在气候较为温暖的地方，因为午后高温会使得人们难以工作。研究者称午睡对任何气候地区的人都有好处。午睡能让身体和头脑得到休息，所以对整个身体健康有好处。将午睡作为传统的国家的人一般像心脏病这样的问题较少出现。

许多工作的人，不幸的是，没有时间小睡。虽然医生建议午睡，但是雇主们可不能允许！如果你有机会午睡，这里有一些关于充分利用午睡的贴士。记住午睡的最佳时间是在你起床后的八个小时左右。白天睡的太晚可能只会让你之后更累，更困。如果睡的时间太长也会适得其反。如果你时间不够，那就试着睡一小会儿——哪怕只是睡十分钟都是很有裨益的。

 

---

词汇及短语：
sleepy：欲睡的;困乏的

 

slow down: 使)生产缓慢, (使)变得迟钝
例：Business slows down in summer.
夏季生意清淡。

nap:n.& vi.小睡, 打盹

make the most of: 最大限度地利用
例：We've only got one day in London, so let's make the most of it and see everything.
我们在伦敦只停留一天, 所以我们要尽量加以利用, 多看点东西。