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雨天总能激发人们各种各样的情绪。你或许会因为不得不取消原定计划而感到苦恼，又或许因为有了一个待在家的理由而心生愉悦。不过，你有没有注意到，雨滴打在窗户上的 “啪嗒啪嗒” 声能让人放松下来？这究竟是为什么呢？本文带你了解 “rain（雨）” 改善情绪、缓解焦虑背后的四个原因。

词汇：weather and health 天气与健康

1 You might have mixed feelings about rain. For those experiencing long periods of drought, rain can bring joy. But for those wanting to enjoy the outdoors, a large downpour can ruin the experience. Getting drenched by the weather can make you feel cold and weaken your immune system, but there are some surprising benefits to going out in the rain, provided you've got your brolly and raincoat!

2 Have you ever noticed a difference in the smell in the air after it's rained? That smell has a name – petrichor. This earthy scent, a pleasant one to many, happens when raindrops release particles from the ground. Humans are incredibly sensitive to the smell, which some scientists think is because it tells us there is new, fresh water. It probably made our ancestors feel safe and calm. And then there's the relaxing sound of raindrops splattering on a hard surface. A 2018 study published in PubMed Central by Thoma and colleagues found that the sound of rain can reduce the stress hormone cortisol and bring a sense of calm.

3 When raindrops hit a hard surface, something called 'negative ions' are released into the air, which, when in high levels, are known to boost serotonin in the brain, again making us feel more relaxed. However, there isn't a scientific consensus about exactly how this is happening. These negative ions also make the air cleaner. Pam Dalton, a cognitive scientist at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Pennsylvania, says there is reasonably good evidence that "the negative ions can clear dust, bacteria, allergens, and other particles from air, which for many can have a positive effect on respiratory health." The heavier the rain, the greater effect it has on cleaning the air.

4 You could feel some of these benefits from the comfort of your own home, just by opening the window and taking a whiff of the petrichor scent or listening to the pitter-patter sound on your roof. Or, after making sure you're dressed in the right attire, step outside in the rain to fully experience the mood-boosting effects of those mysterious negative ions in the air. Just remember to come straight back inside if you see lightning, as this could be dangerous.

测验与练习

一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。

Which paragraph contains information about the effect of rain on our senses?

二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。

1. It's safe to go out in the rain without a raincoat or umbrella.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

2. The petrichor scent is released as raindrops fall through the air.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

3. Why do some scientists think the smell after rainfall made our ancestors feel calm?
a. It distracted from other, bad scents.
b. It might signify the end of a drought.
c. It reduced cortisol levels.

4. Scientists aren't sure how negative ions in the air can make us feel calmer.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

5. The feeling of rain on our skin can make us feel calmer.
a. True
b. False
c. Not given

三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。

One thing you can do to get the benefits of rainfall is to 1) _______ of the air after a storm and smell the unique 2) _______ scent, as it has calming effects. Many people also find it calming to fall asleep listening to the 3) _______ of raindrops against their glass windows. So, spend time in the rain, but make sure you don't get caught in a(n) 4) _______ without a brolly, or you may get 4) _______!

pitter-patter
petrichor
cortisol
downpour
attire
drenched
take a whiff

（答案见词汇表后）

词汇表

downpour 瓢泼大雨
drench 使湿透
brolly 伞
petrichor 潮土油，雨后泥土的香气
earthy 带有泥土气息的，泥土的
splatter （液体）飞溅，溅落
cortisol 皮质醇
negative ion 负离子
serotonin 血清素
scientific consensus 科学界的共识
allergen 过敏原
respiratory 呼吸系统的
take a whiff 闻一下
pitter-patter 噼噼啪啪声，啪嗒啪嗒声
attire 服装，着装
mood-boosting 改善心情的，提振精神的

答案

一、根据文章内容选出正确的段落。

Paragraph 2. We learn about the calming effects of the smell and sound of rain.

二、根据文章内容选出正确的选项。

1. b. False.Getting drenched by the weather can make you feel cold and weaken your immune system, but there are some surprising benefits to going out in the rain, provided you've got your brolly and raincoat!

2. b. False.This earthy scent, and a pleasant scent to many, happens when raindrops release particles from the ground.

3. b.Humans are incredibly sensitive to the smell, which some scientists think is because it tells us there is new, fresh water.

4. a. True.However, there isn't a scientific consensus about exactly how this is happening.

5. c. Not given. There is no mention of the feeling of raindrops on skin.

三、用下列单词完成对本文的总结。

One thing you can do to get the benefits of rainfall is to take a whiff of the air after a storm and smell the unique petrichor scent, as it has calming effects. Many people also find it calming to fall asleep listening to the pitter-patter of raindrops against their glass windows. So, spend time in the rain, but make sure you don't get caught in a downpour without a brolly, or you may get drenched!