1. Read the passages and then answer the questions. Write your answers in the spaces provided.

Question

The Moon and man’s moods
Because the moon has an effect on all life on earth, doctors have been trying to prove that its phases cause mood changes in human beings. It is well known that lunar changes produce tides in the oceans. Less well known is that the gravitational pull of the moon causes bulges in the earth’s solid surface. Also, in the natural kingdom, many plants do not bloom during full and new moon cycles. Animals too are affected, the sea worm only laying eggs during full moon. Since humans, like all living things, are influenced by their environment, there is good reason to believe that they also respond to lunar cycles. This, however, is difficult to prove, and only by using an instrument which measures the delicate make-up of living things, was a doctor able to discover that man’s electrical rhythm is in harmony with the lunar cycle. He found, for example, that a full moon caused increased electrical activity in his patients. At this time, people were found to be more bad-tempered and irritable. Correspondingly, just after new moon when there was decreased electrical activity, patients felt in a better mood, and more stable. Perhaps there is truth in the old belief that a full moon causes people to fall in love (to be ‘moonstruck’) and that a consequence of lunar (moon) changes is ‘lunacy’ (madness).

Questions for the 1st passage: The moon and man’s mood
1. In a paragraph, provide evidence from this passage that the moon has a profound effect on life on earth.

2. We now have the ‘Me Too’ feminist movement.
Does this passage give evidence that the writer is aware of this movement? Explain.

Answer 1

1. Evidence from this passage that the moon has a profound effect on life on earth includes the fact that lunar changes produce tides in the oceans, cause bulges in the earth's solid surface, affect the blooming of plants, influence animal behavior such as egg laying, and impact human mood and electrical activity rhythms.

2. This passage does not give direct evidence that the writer is aware of the 'Me Too' feminist movement. Instead, the focus is on the effect of the moon on human mood and behavior.