THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOR - Module E

THE IMPORTANCE OF COLOR Whenever you open a book or work on your computer, almost everything appears on a white background. But what if it were a different color? In a recently published study, a group of Canadian researchers tried to answer this question. Their conclusion: changing the background color actually affects the way your brain works.In the experiment, 600 students were asked to do two sets of tasks, one demanding intense concentration and the other requiring creativity. Half the students worked on a red computer screen and half on a blue one. It was found that the color of the screen dramatically affected performance. When asked to remember a list of words or find spelling mistakes, those working on a red screen were considerably more successful than the "blue" group. On the other hand, those working on a blue screen were much better at tasks such as suggesting new uses for familiar objects."We think these differences are caused by the fact that we learn to associate certain experiences with particular colors," said Professor Jane Bennett, who led the research team. "Red is used for warning signs and emergency vehicles, so seeing this color makes us more alert, and therefore better at performing tasks that demand careful attention to detail. Blue is associated with sea and sky, resulting in a general feeling of calmness. And when we're relaxed, we can be more creative."Prof. Bennett claims that understanding how color affects us has a variety of practical applications. She suggests, for example, that companies might choose the color of their office walls according to the type of work their employees do. Many researchers, however, believe the picture is far more complex. Not only is there still a vast number of different colors to investigate, but people's individual responses to a color might also be influenced by personality and culture. So it seems that a lot more research needs to be done before we can blame our spelling mistakes on the color of the walls or the computer screen. (Adapted from "Color counts, study says," The New York Times, February 6, 2009) 1. From lines 1-4 we learn about (–). the subject of the study people's reaction to the study the reason backgrounds are usually white the most effective background color 2. In lines 5-7, we are told (–) the experiment was done. why where how when 3. COMPLETE THE SENTENCE. What information does the writer provide about the experiment in lines 5-10? He gives (information about) the findings of the experiment / the results (of the experiment) / its results. 4. The words "these differences" (line 11) refer to the differences in (–). tasks performance color experiences 5. In lines 7-10, the writer provides some information. In lines 11-15, Prof. Bennett (–). describes a problem with this information gives an explanation of this information describes how she got this information explains the importance of this information 6. Prof. Bennett mentions "tasks that demand careful attention to detail" (lines 13-14). Give ONE such task from another paragraph. remembering a list of words 7. COMPLETE THE SENTENCEWhat do we learn from lines 12-17 about the color blue? Give ONE answer. We learn why it gives a general feeling of calmness. 8. CHOOSETWOCORRECT ANSWERS. According to lines 16-21, more research is needed because (–). studies of color have only been done on computer Prof. Bennett did not test office employees Prof. Bennett's study only focused on red and blue Prof. Bennett's study does not have enough practical applications different people may react differently to the same color companies are asking for more information on the effects of color GIVE AND TAKE 9. The websites described in the program can help people (–). repair their old things take care of their things earn money save money 10. According to Ms. Philips, what is the problem with the FreeForAll website? The items are not organized in any way. 11. What are we told about the FreeForAll website? How it was started. Why it is popular. How to register for it. Who organizes it. 12. COMPLETE THE SENTENCE. BestRead and KidsPlay are mentioned as examples of websites where people can find only one type of product. 13. According to Ms. Philips, how do the websites help the environment? They help start green organizations. They collect money for green organizations. People who use them produce less garbage. Their experts give advice about environmental projects 14. At the end of the report, Ms. Philips tells listeners (–). which website she recommends most why more people should use the websites what her friends think of the websites how to use the websites