Wednesday, April 12, 2017

THE DARK TOWN THAT BUILT A GIANT MIRROR TO DEFLECT THE SUN


“A Norwegian town shrouded in shadow for half the year has found an ingenious way to get a bit of sunlight. But why go to such extreme measures? As Linda Geddes discovers, the Sun has powerful effects on our minds and bodies – and it changes us when it’s absent.”
By: By Linda Geddes
Level of Difficulty: **
BEFORE YOU READ
·         Polar night in The Arctic - what it's like & what to do https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coIaVH1uNYw
·         The Polar Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKidr9WZcx8
·         Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP7T2q3yeUM
·         Giant mirrors shed sunlight in the winter months on the Norwegian town of Rjukan - hi-tech
QUESTIONS
1.       Determine which paragraphs constitute the “introduction”. Now answer the question: The strong interest in the sun in Norway may be due to social convention / geographical location / latitude / obsession. Mark the one that doesn’t fit.  
2.       Continue reading: which paragraphs constitute the next section? What general conclusion can be drawn about life in countries such as Norway?
3.       Which paragraphs constitute the next section? Read all about The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine and Phillip Pinel’ Treatise on Insanity. What do these works share with their modern counterparts? They all describe…..
4.       Which paragraphs constitute the next section? Now answer the questions on this section of the text:
·         The reason for SAD is psychological / social/ physical / practical
·         What natural physical response lies at the root of the problem? The positive correlation between…..and……
·         We understand from this section that SAD results from failing to adjust the time correctly /going against the body’ biological functioning / suppressing morning sunshine/ the inability to wake up.
·         The source of the depression resulting from SAD is psychological/ social/ physical / practical in that the higher…………the lower………..
5.       Which paragraphs does the next section of the text include? Now answer the questions on this section:
·         Which of the following phrases could not replace “this” in the sentence “Martin Andersen  didn’t know all of this”: the past experiments with sun light / how to soak up the sun/ past efforts to access sun light/ efforts to bring the sun to the people/ efforts to bring the people to the sun.
·         Why is the reaction of the locals to sun mirrors surprising? Base your answer on what you have read so far?
6.       Where does the next section start and where does it end? Now answer the questions.
·         The reason for the locals’ reaction to the reduction of sunlight seems to be the fact that…
·         What surprising discovery was made in Tromso?
·         Research with Icelanders supports the theory that…
·         Hektoen’s observations seem to indicate that reaction to darkness depends on geography/ perspective/ preparedness/ appreciation.
·         The purpose of the interior decoration of Hektoen’s house is to create …
·         Read the description of life in Tromso in winter. This description seems to prove that a healthy attitude / a social attitude / the right attitude / the wrong attitude can help people get on with their lives in more northerly parts of the world.
7.       Read the last section of the text and answer the questions:
·         What interesting result emerged at the end of the study carried out by Vitterso and Leibowitz?
·         What conclusion can be drawn from the above study?
·         We understand from Rohan’s remarks that people need not be stuck with SAD/ can get treatment for SAD/ avoid hibernation mode/ be more active in winter. Mark the one that doesn’t fit.

THE DARK TOWN THAT BUILT A GIANT MIRROR TO DEFLECT THE SUN KEY AND TEACHERS’ NOTES
Seasonal affective disorder or the winter blues is a very real phenomenon for some people who are perfectly miserable and lethargic during the winter months. This text delves into the underlying reasons for this disorder and corrects some misconceptions.
1.       Paragraphs one and two / Obsession
2.       Martin’s story; paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 / Most people living in countries such as Norway experience a sense of dismay at automne’s dwindling light
3.       The first three paragraphs under the subtitle “Dark Place”/ The Winter Blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder
4.       The paragraph beginning “Why should darker months…” to the next subtitle “Mirror Mirror” / physical / darkness and higher melatonin levels / going against the body’s biological functioning/ physical , the higher the melatonin levels, the lower the level of active thyroid hormone 
5.       The first paragraph under the title “Mirror Mirror to the beginning of the paragraph beginning “Andersen Admits…” /past efforts to access sunlight/They are always trying to access sunlight and feel depressed in the winter
6.       The section begins with the paragraph beginning “Andersen admits…” and ends with words we’d never get anything done. They have got used to the lack of sunlight or they have grown immune to the normal thirst for sunlight. / Despite its high altitude studies found no difference between rates of mental distress in winter and summer/ Resistance to winter depression is genetic / Perspective/ A fairy tale version of winter / the right attitude
7.        Liking winter was associated with greater life satisfaction and being able to undertake challenges that lead to greater personal growth / Adopting a more positive attitude really might help to ward off the winter blues / Can get treatment for SAD



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