A (2019·长沙市模拟)
On average,Americans spend about 10 hours a day in front of a computer or other electronic devices(设备) and less than 30 minutes a day outdoors.That is a claim made by David Strayer,a professor of psychology at the University of Utah.In his 2017 TED Talk,Strayer explained that all this time spent with technology is making our brains tired.
Using an electronic device to answer emails,listen to the news and look at social media puts a lot of pressure on the front of the brain,which,Strayer explains,is important for critical(有判断力的) thinking,problemsolving and decisionmaking.
So,it is important to give the brain a rest.And being in nature,Strayer claims,helps get a tired brain away from too much technology.More than 15,000 campers from around the world attended an international camping festival in September.That is when friends and family take time off and escape to nature for several days.They take walks,climb,explore,swim,sleep,eat and play.Camping may be just what a tired brain needs.
Take Carl for example.He lives in West Virginia and enjoys camping.He says that staying outdoors makes him feel at ease.It also prepares him for the work he must do.Kate Somers is another example who also lives in West Virginia.She says she enjoys camping with her husband and two children.She calls it a“regenerative”experience.
At the University of Utah,David Strayer has studied both shortterm and longterm exposure to nature.He found that spending short amounts of time in nature without technology does calm the brain and helps it to remember better.However,he found,it is the longterm contact with nature that does the most good.He and his research team found that spending three days in nature without any technology is enough time for the brain to fully relax and reset itself.
【语篇解读】 本文是一篇说明文。作者讲述了如今长时间使用电子设备对大脑的危害,鼓励人们放下这些电子设备,去户外让大脑休息一下。
1.What is David Strayer's opinion?
A.Americans dislike outdoor activities.
B.Electronic equipment should be quitted.
C.New technologies ate a doubleedged sword.
D.Electronic equipment brings great convenience.
C [考查推理判断。依据第一段可知,David Strayer认为过多使用电子设备导致大脑疲劳,第二段中的“answer emails,listen to the news and look at social media”暗示着电子设备给我们生活带来的便利,因此科技有利有弊,选项C正确。]
2.Why does Strayer insist we go outdoors?
A.To try another lifestyle.
B.To refresh our brain.
C.To make better decisions.
D.To play with our family and friends.
B [考查细节理解。依据前两段可知,过多使用电子设备会导致大脑疲劳,根据第三段可知,我们需要让大脑休息一下,而走进大自然可以让我们疲惫的大脑远离电子设备,从而让大脑恢复活力,因此选B项。]
3.What does the underlined word“regenerative”mean?
A.Reborn. B.Memorable.
C.Remarkable. D.Tiring.
A [考查词义猜测。画线词所在段中作者列举Carl的事例说明,户外活动能使他放松并更好地工作,作者提到的“Kate Somers is another example...two children”暗示着,Kate与家人在户外的活动也给了她活力,因此选A项,画线词表示“有再生作用的,有再造能力的”。]