★D
阅读下面短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳答案.
Watching tropical fish swim around a tank, it can seem like they don’t have a care in the world. And some of this tranquility clearly has an effect on humans – as research shows aquariums not only boost mood, but lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Scientists found that the more fish in the tank, the greater the beneficial effects. While much research has been carried out on the calming effects of green spaces and nature, little has been done on watching fish.
Experts from the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth University and the University of Exeter assessed volunteers’ physical and mental responses to tanks containing different numbers of fish. They said tanks are often seen in doctors’ and dentists’ waiting rooms due to their comforting properties.
Dr Sabine Pahl, Plymouth’s associate professor in psychology, said: “While large public aquariums typically focus on their educational mission, our study suggests they could offer a number of previously undiscovered benefits. In times of higher work stress and crowded urban living, perhaps aquariums can step in bringing to us calm and relaxation.”
In the study, scientists assessed the mood, heart rate and blood pressure of participants in precisely the same setting as fish numbers in the exhibit gradually increased. Deborah Cracknell at the National Marine Aquarium said: “Fish tanks and displays are often associated with attempts at calming patients in doctors’ surgeries and dental waiting rooms. This study has, for the first time, provided robust evidence that a certain amount of exposure to underwater settings could actually have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing.”
Exeter’s environmental psychologist Dr Mathew White said: “Our findings have shown improvements for health and wellbeing in highly managed settings, providing an exciting possibility for people who aren’t able to access outdoor natural environments. If we can identify the behavioral system that supports the benefits we’re seeing, we can effectively bring some of the ‘outside inside’ and improve the wellbeing of people without ready access to nature.”
1 . What did researchers find about watching tropical fish swim in a water tank?
A . The tropical fish in the water tank seemed to be carefree.
B . It benefited doctor’s surgeries and dental operations.
C . It weakened people’s stress and lowered blood pressure.
D . It was as valuable as outdoor natural environment.
2 . What can we infer from the passage?
A . Only green space and nature were believed to have calming effects.
B . People used to go to public aquariums out of curiosity.
C . People are advised to enter a water tank to get calm and relaxed.
D . Many people can not get in touch with nature with high work stress.
3 . After working with the participants, Deborah Cracknell strongly believed that _______.
A . fish tanks in a doctor’s waiting room benefited patients mentally
B . watching aquariums had a positive impact on people’s health and mood
C . fish tanks can be placed in a working place for the workers’ wellbeing
D . there might be more undiscovered benefits about watching aquariums
4 . What does the underlined word most probably refer to in the last paragraph?
A . Underwater settings.
B . Crowded city life.
C . Educational mission.
D . Natural environments.
★D1-4 CABD
阅读下面短文,从每题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳答案.
Watching tropical fish swim around a tank, it can seem like they don’t have a care in the world. And some of this tranquility clearly has an effect on humans – as research shows aquariums not only boost mood, but lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Scientists found that the more fish in the tank, the greater the beneficial effects. While much research has been carried out on the calming effects of green spaces and nature, little has been done on watching fish.
Experts from the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth University and the University of Exeter assessed volunteers’ physical and mental responses to tanks containing different numbers of fish. They said tanks are often seen in doctors’ and dentists’ waiting rooms due to their comforting properties.
Dr Sabine Pahl, Plymouth’s associate professor in psychology, said: “While large public aquariums typically focus on their educational mission, our study suggests they could offer a number of previously undiscovered benefits. In times of higher work stress and crowded urban living, perhaps aquariums can step in bringing to us calm and relaxation.”
In the study, scientists assessed the mood, heart rate and blood pressure of participants in precisely the same setting as fish numbers in the exhibit gradually increased. Deborah Cracknell at the National Marine Aquarium said: “Fish tanks and displays are often associated with attempts at calming patients in doctors’ surgeries and dental waiting rooms. This study has, for the first time, provided robust evidence that a certain amount of exposure to underwater settings could actually have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing.”
Exeter’s environmental psychologist Dr Mathew White said: “Our findings have shown improvements for health and wellbeing in highly managed settings, providing an exciting possibility for people who aren’t able to access outdoor natural environments. If we can identify the behavioral system that supports the benefits we’re seeing, we can effectively bring some of the ‘outside inside’ and improve the wellbeing of people without ready access to nature.”
1 . What did researchers find about watching tropical fish swim in a water tank?
A . The tropical fish in the water tank seemed to be carefree.
B . It benefited doctor’s surgeries and dental operations.
C . It weakened people’s stress and lowered blood pressure.
D . It was as valuable as outdoor natural environment.
2 . What can we infer from the passage?
A . Only green space and nature were believed to have calming effects.
B . People used to go to public aquariums out of curiosity.
C . People are advised to enter a water tank to get calm and relaxed.
D . Many people can not get in touch with nature with high work stress.
3 . After working with the participants, Deborah Cracknell strongly believed that _______.
A . fish tanks in a doctor’s waiting room benefited patients mentally
B . watching aquariums had a positive impact on people’s health and mood
C . fish tanks can be placed in a working place for the workers’ wellbeing
D . there might be more undiscovered benefits about watching aquariums
4 . What does the underlined word most probably refer to in the last paragraph?
A . Underwater settings.
B . Crowded city life.
C . Educational mission.
D . Natural environments.
★D1-4 CABD
