D
During an interview for one of my books, my interviewer said something I still think about often. Annoyed by the level of distraction(干扰)in his open office, he said, “That’s why I have a membership at the coworking space across the street — so I can focus”. His comment struck me as strange. After all, coworking spaces also typically use an open office layout(布局). But I recently came across a study that shows why his approach works.
The researchers examined various levels of noise on participants as they completed tests of creative thinking. They were randomly divided into four groups and exposed to various noise levels in the background, from total silence to 50 decibels(分贝), 70 decibels, and 85 decibels. The differences between most of the groups were statistically insignificant; however, the participants in the 70 decibels group — those exposed to a level of noise similar to background chatter in a coffee shop — significantly outperformed the other groups. Since the effects were small, this may suggest that our creative thinking does not differ that much in response to total silence and 85 decibels of background noise.
But since the results at 70 decibels were significant, the study also suggests that the right level of background noise — not too loud and not total silence — may actually improve one’s creative thinking ability. The right level of background noise may interrupt our normal patterns of thinking just enough to allow our imaginations to wander, without making it impossible to focus. This kind of “distracted focus” appears to be the best state for working on creative tasks.
So why do so many of us hate our open offices? The problem may be that, in our offices, we can’t stop ourselves from getting drawn into others’ conversations while we’re trying to focus. Indeed, the researchers found that face-to-face interactions and conversations affect the creative process, and yet a coworking space or a coffee shop provides a certain level of noise while also providing freedom from interruptions.
32.Why does the interviewer prefer a coworking space?
A. It helps him concentrate. B. It blocks out background noise.
C. It has a pleasant atmosphere. D. It encourages face-to-face interactions.
途软a403优-4d8d件东学4567径技慧有广元6f5d升费公术秀网192e093e科b15f限的司
33. Which level of background noise may promote creative thinking ability?
A. Total silence. B. 50 decibels C. 70 decibels. D. 8 5 decibels.
34. What makes an open office unwelcome to many people?
A. Personal privacy unprotected. B. Limited working space.
C. Restrictions on group discussion. D. Constant interruptions.
35. What can we infer about the author from the text?
A. He’s a news reporter.
B. He’s an office manager.
C. He’s a professional designer.
D. He’s a published writer.
【答案】32. A 33. C 34. D 35. D
有术网192e093e量学4567径途技8127软a403上科b15f司4adf6e33公术秀限的dc6a升费东-4d8d广优元6f5d慧件
【解析】
【分析】这是一篇说明文。作者通过自身经历讲述人们为什么不喜欢开放性办公室以及有关多少分贝的噪音最有利于人们的创造性思维的研究。
【32题详解】
细节理解题。根据第一段“That’s why I have a membership at the coworking space across the street - so I can focus.(这就是为什么我在街对面的公用办公空间有会员资格——这样我就可以集中精力了。)”可知，采访者喜欢共享办公空间的原因是那里可以帮助他集中精力。故选A项。
【33题详解】
细节理解题。根据第二段“The differences between most of the groups were statistically insignificant; however, the participants in the 70 decibels group - those exposed to a level of noise similar to background chatter in a coffee shop - significantly outperformed the other groups.(大多数组之间的差异在统计学上是不显著的;然而，音量为70分贝的那组参与者(置身于类似于咖啡店背景噪音的环境中)的表现明显好于其他组。)”和第三段“But since the results at 70 decibels were significant, the study also suggests that the right level of background noise - not too loud and not total silence - may actually improve one's creative thinking ability.(但由于70分贝的结果很显著，该研究还表明，适当的背景噪音——不要太大声，也不要完全安静——实际上可能会提高一个人的创造性思维能力。)”可知，70分贝的那组参与者表现好于其他组，所以70分贝的噪音背景环境更有可能促进创造性思维能力。故选C项。
【34题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段“So why do so many of us hate our open offices? The problem may be that, in our offices, we can't stop ourselves from getting drawn into others' conversations while we're trying to focus. Indeed, the researchers found that face-to-face interactions and conversations affect the creative process, and yet a coworking space or a coffee shop provides a certain level of noise while also providing freedom from interruptions.(那么，为什么我们中有那么多人讨厌开放式办公室呢?问题可能是，在我们的办公室里，当我们试图集中注意力时，我们无法阻止自己卷入别人的谈话中。的确，研究人员发现，面对面的互动和对话会影响创作过程，然而，共同工作空间或咖啡馆在提供一定程度的噪音的同时，也提供不受干扰的自由。)”可知，开放式办公室不受人们欢迎的原因是让我们不断地卷入别人的谈话中，受到很多干扰。故选D 项。
【35题详解】
推理判断题。根据第一段“During an interview for one of my books, my interviewer said something I still think about often.(在一次采访我的一本书时，我的采访者说了一些我至今还经常想起的话。)”可知，作者提到有人采访自己的书，所以可以推断，作者是一位作家。故选D项。