月球是地球唯一的天然卫星。月有阴晴圆缺，不论我们肉眼是否看得见，月亮每晚都在天空升起。月亮能控制地球上的潮汐，但它也能影响生活在地球上的人类吗？本期 “随身英语” 解读月亮是否会影响人类行为的理论。

词汇：The Moon and behaviours 月亮；人类行为

It’s more than 384,000km from Earth. We can see it most nights. And it’s not made of cheese! I am, of course, talking about the Moon. Astronauts have taken giant steps to explore this natural satellite floating in space, but despite it being out of reach for most of us, it still moves us in mysterious ways.

The Moon, obviously, provides moonlight. A full moon, seen roughly once a month, can light up our way on an otherwise dark night. But while this lunar light can be impressive to look at, it can affect our sleeping patterns. One study showed that during or around the full moon, those studied spent less time in deep sleep, slept for less time and reported having poorer sleep, despite sleeping in a dark room not exposed to moonlight.

There are many theories about how the Moon can affect other things too. One study suggested animals are more likely to bite us during a full moon. And many moons ago, it was thought the Moon induced lunacy – the word derives from the Latin word ‘lunaticus’, meaning ‘moonstruck’, and evolved from the idea that celestial changes could cause periods of insanity. Even winemakers look to the Moon when planting and pruning grapevines. They will avoid a full moon at all costs because, although the added moisture in the soil at this time may give a fuller and juicier grape, the additional water is thought to dilute the taste of the fruit, which results in a less successful vintage.

The Moon might affect our behaviour too. Writing about this for BBC Future, Claudia Hammond explains one interesting theory. Just as the Moon’s gravitational pull affects the tides, it exerts its influence on the water in our bodies. But she points out “the Moon is smaller than the Earth, so its gravitational pull is correspondingly less powerful. What’s more, it exerts the same force on us regardless of whether it’s new or full.” Research into ancient myths about the effects of the lunar cycle on us is ongoing. So, like the Moon being made of cheese, we must be careful what we believe!

词汇表

satellite 卫星
out of reach 遥不可及的
mysterious 难以理解的，神秘的
moonlight 月光
full moon 满月
lunar 月亮的，月球的
sleeping patterns 睡眠模式
deep sleep 深度睡眠
many moons ago 很久以前
lunacy 愚蠢的行为
moonstruck 疯狂的
celestial 天外的，天空的
insanity 失去理智，精神错乱
behaviour 行为，举止
gravitational pull 引力
exert influence 施加影响
force 影响
ancient myths 古代神话
lunar cycle 月亮周期

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. According to one study, what type of moon caused people to sleep less?

2. What were thought to bite more during a full moon?

3. What is it about the Moon that affects the tides in the oceans?

4. True or false? Recently, people thought changes in the Moon induced lunacy.

5. When do winemakers tend not to prune or plant grapevines?

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. The water sparkled under the _______.

lunarlight                   moonlight                  celestiallight                moonstruck

2. His music was _______ by some the great jazz artists.

influence                   influenced                  influencing                  influential

3. His bad _______ led him to being expelled from school.

insanity                     lunacy                        behaviour                    myths

4. _______, I used to play football on this pitch.

Many moon ago       Manys moon ago        Many ago moons       Many moons ago

5. Playing by the railway line is complete _______.

lunacy                       mysterious                  celestial                      lunar

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 

1. According to one study, what type of moon caused people to sleep less?
One study showed that during or around a full moon, those studied spent less time in deep sleep, slept for less time and reported having poorer sleep.

2. What were thought to bite more during a full moon?
One study suggested animals are more likely to bite us during a full moon.

3. What is it about the Moon that affects the tides in the oceans?
The gravitational pull of the Moon affects the tides.

4. True or false? Recently, people thought changes in the Moon induced lunacy.
False. A long time ago (many moons ago), it was thought the celestial changes induced lunacy.

5. When do winemakers tend not to prune or plant grapevines?
When planting and pruning grapevines winemakers will avoid a full moon at all costs.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. The water sparkled under the moonlight.

2. His music was influenced by some the great jazz artists.

3. His bad behaviour led him to being expelled from school.

4. Many moons ago, I used to play football on this pitch.

5. Playing by the railway line is complete lunacy.