What should you take in with you when you take an exam? Pen, pencil, eraser, ruler…, and don’t forget a bottle of water!
According to a study at the British Psychological ( 心理學的) Society Annual Conference held in London, students who bring water into exams may improve their grades by up to 10 percent.
Scientists at the University of East London and the University of Westminster, UK, did a study on 447 students. The students were studying for different degrees (學歷) at the University of East London. Only 25 percent of them entered the exam hall with something to drink.
Scientists then compared their exam results with their normal schoolwork grades. They found that all those who had brought drinks with them got better grades by between 2 and 10 percent.
It is unclear why drinking water improves exam results. But scientists say having enough water in our bodies and not feeling thirsty could have a helpful effect on our brains. Drinking water may also cut down on anxiety ( 焦慮), which has a bad effect on exam performances, according to Chris Pawson, PhD, of the University of East London.
“Whatever the explanation, it is clear that students should try hard to stay hydrated (含水的)with water during exams,” he said.
So next time, when you are going to have a big exam, try bringing a bottle of water with you.Who knows – it may help you pass the exam!
【小題1】How much may the students improve their grades most if they bring water into exams?

Here is a 2-way student exchange. Fred, 19 , spent last year in Germany with George’s family. In turn, George’s son Mike spent a year in Fred’s home in America.
Fred knew little German when he arrived. But after 2 months of studying, the language became easy for him. School was very different from what he had looked forward to and it was much harder. Students stood up politely when the teacher came into the room. They took 14 subjects while American students usually took 6 in the US.
Family life, too, was different. The father’s word was the law(法律) . All the children had to do their activities with their family. Fred also missed having a car. In Germany, you should walk to go out to have a good time.
At the same time, in America, Mike was forming his own ideas. He says,’ American schools are too easy for our level but I have to say that I like it a lot in Germany , we do nothing except study. Here we take part in many other activities.