月球是地球唯一的天然衛星。月有陰晴圓缺，不論我們肉眼是否看得見，月亮每晚都在天空升起。月亮能控制地球上的潮汐，但它也能影響生活在地球上的人類嗎？本期 “隨身英語” 解讀月亮是否會影響人類行為的理論。

詞匯：The Moon and behaviours 月亮；人類行為

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!

詞匯表

satellite 衛星
out of reach 遙不可及的
mysterious 難以理解的，神秘的
moonlight 月光
full moon 滿月
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 愚蠢的行為
moonstruck 瘋狂的
celestial 天外的，天空的
insanity 失去理智，精神錯亂
behaviour 行為，舉止
gravitational pull 引力
exert influence 施加影響
force 影響
ancient myths 古代神話
lunar cycle 月亮周期

測驗與練習

1.  閱讀課文并回答問題。

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.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

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. 閱讀課文并回答問題。 

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.  選擇意思恰當的單詞或詞組來完成下列句子。

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.