Certain noise helps us sleep better 特定噪声有助于睡眠

陈静雅

很多人認为只有在安静的环境下才能睡好觉。然而，一项科学研究表明，有 一些噪声不但不会影响我们的睡眠，反而会让我们睡得更好。

1Think of it this way： When you，re lying in bed， every single noise—from the creak （嘎吱声） of the bed to a whistle in your partner ，s nose—may keep your brain on high alert. You may find it hard to get a good night，s sleep. Actually， you may just need more noise. While that may sound strange， it，s scientificallyproven that certain types of noise can help you sleep well. For example， white， pink and brown noises can help to create a more consistent surrounding background.

2Just as white light includes all of the colors of light in the spectrum ， white noise con- tains sounds from all of the frequencies that humans can hear.

3It，s a mixture of sounds from all frequencies， but white noise comes as a high-pitched buzz. That，s because of the way your ears hear it. Basically， your brain increases sounds in the higher pitch frequencies， making them sound louder than they actually are. So while you may be hearing sounds from a variety of frequencies， the highest ones tend to shield the lower-pitched notes.

4Pink noise takes the human tendency to hear only some frequencies into account and balances out the noise so that all frequencies are heard equally. The higher the frequency is， the more its volume is decreased. To your ears， the sound is deeper and softer than white noise. Think of rain falling on the pavement or a gentle breeze in the trees.

5 In a study at China ， s Peking University， researchers found that when participants were exposed to either pink noise or no noise during night - time sleep and naps， 75% re- ported more restful sleep with the pink noise. Brain activity monitors confirmed this， showing that participants had 23% more restful brain activity at night with pink noise and 45%more restful sleep during naps.

6Brown noise takes this concept to the next level， further weakening higher frequency noise to produce an even deeper and richer sound. It is similar to random particle motion in that the changes in sound signals from one moment to the next occur randomly.

7The color of noise that will help you sleep most soundly is the one you like the best.

While pink and brown noises are deeper and more balanced than white noise， your per- sonal sleep preferences will decide which one gives you the best night s sleep.

1. What does paragraph 1 mainly tell us？

A. Some noise may help us sleep better.

B. Our brain is always kept on high alert.

C. Many people have difficulty sleeping well.

D. Sound creates a consistent surrounding background.

2. What does the underlined word“shield”in paragraph 3 mean？

A. Mask. B. Absorb.C. Control.D. Change.

3. Which of the following noise may contribute to your sound sleep？

A. The creak of your bed.

B. The wind shaking the tree.

C. A whistle in your partner，s nose.

D. The rain falling on the pavement.

4. Why does the author mention the study at Peking University？

A. To show the need for silence during sleep.

B. To explain pink noise，s impact on sleep.

C. To illustrate the importance of restful sleep.

D. To give the reason for adequate noise for sleep.

Ⅰ. Difficult sentences in the text

1. Brain activity monitors confirmed this， showing that participants had 23% more restful brain activity at night with pink noise and 45% more restful sleep during naps. 大腦 活动监测仪证实了这一点，其显示参与者在有粉红色噪声的晚上有多 23% 的安稳的 睡眠，在午睡时安稳的睡眠多 45%。

【点石成金】V-ing 形式作状语可以分为原因状语、时间状语、伴随状语和结果状 语 ，本 句 中 的 showing... during naps 在 句 中 作 结 果 状 语 ，如“The boy ran even faster， reaching the school out of breath. ”中的 reaching the school out of breath 在句中作结果 状语。

2. While pink and brown noises are deeper and more balanced than white noise， your personal sleep preferences will decide which one gives you the best night，s sleep. 虽然粉红 色噪声和红噪声比白噪声更低沉、更平稳，但你的个人睡眠偏好将决定哪一种噪声能 让你晚上睡得最好。

【点石成金】本 句 中 ，While pink and brown noises are deeper and more balanced than white noise 为 while 引导的让步状语从句;which one gives you the best night，s sleep 为 which 引导的宾语从句。

Ⅱ. Text-centered chunks

come as 感觉像是

a variety of 各种各样的

tend to 往往;倾向于

take...into account 把……考虑在内

be exposed to 置身于……