THE POWERFUL INFLUENCE OF WEATHER Weather has a powerful effect on people. It influences health, intelligence, and feelings. In August, it is very hot and wet in the southern part of the United States. Southerners have heart attacks and other kinds of health problems during this month. In the Northeast and the Middle West, it is very hot at some times and very cold at other times. People in these states tend to have heart attacks after the weather changes in February or March. The weather can also affect intelligence. For example, in 1938 the IQ (intelligence quotient) scores of a group of undergraduate college students were very high during a hurricane, but after the storm, their scores were 10 percent below average. Hurricanes can increase intelligence. Very hot weather, on the other hand, can lower it. Students often do badly on exams in the hot months of the year (July and August). Weather also has a strong influence on people's feelings. Winter may be a bad time for thin people. They usually feel cold during these months. They might feel depressed during cold weather. In hot summer weather, on the other hand, overweight people may feel unhappy. The summer heat may make them tired and irritable.

6. What is the hottest and wettest time of the year in the south of the US?

A early summer

B late spring

C late summer

D midsummer

7. Where is it very hot at some times and very cold at other times?

A in the Middle West and Northeast

B in the Middle East

C in the North West

D in the South East

8. What is the best climatic condition for taking a test?

A drought

B flood

C blizzard

D a very strong wind

9. When are the worst exam results very often produced in the US?

A at the very beginning of a school year

B before a winter break

C after Easter holidays

D when the temperature outside is very high

10. What does weather normally affect?

A on people's perception of the world

B on people's resistance to heat and cold

C on people's outlooks

D on their thinking abilities

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