Didyou know that the custom of turning our clocks an hour ahead during the year -组卷网

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Did you know that the custom of turning our clocks an hour ahead during the year first originated in World War I? By making the days “longer” , the goal was for households to conserve electricity and other forms of energy like fuel. Recently, the US Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act. The bill must also go through the House of Representatives before it can be signed by the President. If passed, Daylight SavingTime(DST) could become the permanent system of the time.

Although the specific dates of the time change differ, many countries around the world observe a biannual system of the time. From mid-March to November in the US, most states practice DST by turning the time forward by an hour from the Standard Time(ST), the local time observed in an area.

Though the original purpose of DST was to encourage the conservation of energy, multiple studies suggest that the time shift has not made a significant impact on saving energy costs. While less money is spent on electricity, costs are still likely to rise with the usage of devices such as air conditioners and computers. Research conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine has shown that DST time changes lead to a greater risk of car crashes.

According to researchers, ST is much more closely related to the body’s circadian rhythm(昼夜节律) which regulates our organs as well as our sleep-wake cycle. By permanently living in DST, children would have to get up and be in school long before the sun rises—which could be 9 am in Seattle and other western states!

Proponents argue that because DST maximizes daylight, it encourages safety by lowering crime rates and reducing seasonal depression. DST provides more waking time to enjoy with families and friends, or even to get more work done.

The bill is certainly a hot topic of discussion, but one thing is for sure: everyone is in favor of getting rid of the biannual time switch.

【小题1】What do we know about DST according to researchers?

A．It can make schools start late.

B．It helps improve people’s sleeping quality.

C．It increases the possibility of traffic accidents.

D．It can reduce the usage of electronic devices.

【小题2】What does the underlined word “proponents” in Paragraph 5 refer to?

A．People who are in favor of DST.

B．People who are efficient in working

C．People who have seasonal depression.

D．People who enjoy the company of friends.

【小题3】What is the author’s attitude towards the biannual time switch?