How the Moon affects us – Quiz

1.  Read the text and answer the questions. 

1. According to one study, what type of moon caused people to sleep less?
One study showed that during or around a full moon, those studied spent less  time in deep sleep, slept for less time and reported having poorer sleep.

2. What were thought to bite more during a full moon?
One study suggested animals are more likely to bite us during a full moon.

3. What is it about the Moon that affects the tides in the oceans?
The gravitational pull of the Moon affects the tides.

4. True or false? Recently, people thought changes in the Moon induced lunacy.
False. A long time ago ( many moons ago), it was thought the celestial changes i induced lunacy.

5. When do winemakers tend not to prune or plant grapevines?
When planting and pruning grapevines winemakers will avoid a full moon at all  costs.

2.  Choose the appropriate words or phrases to complete the following sentences.

1. The water sparkled under the moonlight .

2. His music was influenced by some the great jazz artists.

3. His bad behavior led him to being expelled from school.

4. Many moons ago , I used to play football on this pitch.

5. Playing by the railway line is complete lunacy . 

 How the Moon affects us 

It’s more than 384,000km from Earth. We can see it most nights. And it’s not made of cheese! I am, of course, talking about the Moon. Astronauts have taken giant steps to explore this natural satellite floating in space, but despite it being out of reach for most of us, it still moves us in mysterious ways.

The Moon, obviously, provides moonlight. A full moon, seen roughly once a month, can light up our way on an otherwise dark night. But while this lunar light can be impressive to look at, it can affect our sleeping patterns. One study showed that during or around the full moon, those studied spent less time in deep sleep, slept for less time and reported having poorer sleep, despite sleeping in a dark room not exposed to moonlight.

There are many theories about how the Moon can affect other things too. One study suggested animals are more likely to bite us during a full moon. And many moons ago, it was thought the Moon induced lunacy – the word derives from the Latin word ‘lunaticus’, meaning ‘moonstruck’, and evolved from the idea that celestial changes could cause periods of insanity. Even winemakers look to the Moon when planting and pruning grapevines. They will avoid a full moon at all costs because, although the added moisture in the soil at this time may give a fuller and juicier grape, the additional water is thought to dilute the taste of the fruit, which results in a less successful vintage.

The Moon might affect our behaviour too. Writing about this for BBC Future, Claudia Hammond explains one interesting theory. Just as the Moon’s gravitational pull affects the tides, it exerts its influence on the water in our bodies. But she points out “the Moon is smaller than the Earth, so its gravitational pull is correspondingly less powerful. What’s more, it exerts the same force on us regardless of whether it’s new or full.” Research into ancient myths about the effects of the lunar cycle on us is ongoing. So, like the Moon being made of cheese, we must be careful what we believe!