Have you ever wished for an extra hour to prepare for exams or finish homework? In some countries, people actually adjust their clocks to gain or lose an hour, all for the sake of Daylight Saving Time (DST).
Specifically, clocks are set forward by an hour in March and then set back in November. One of the primary reasons for implementing DST is to make better use of natural daylight so that people can reduce energy consumption. The concept originated with Benjamin Franklin in 1784 and became widely adopted during World War I. Today, this system is in place in about 110 countries, particularly those near the polar circles. In countries closer to the equator, DST is less useful due to consistent day and night duration.
DST offers several advantages beyond energy conservation. For example, the extended daylight allows for evening outdoor activities during the summer, enhancing physical and mental health. Research demonstrates that more daylight encourages people to shop and dine after work, activities often limited by early darkness, thus giving the economy a boost.
Photo courtesy of Freepik / 照片：Freepik提供
However, not everyone is a fan. Critics argue that the energy savings are minimal because people end up using more air conditioning on those extended hot days. What’s more, the time change can disrupt our sleep, leading to health problems like heart issues. It may also make roads less safe, as sleepy drivers are prone to accidents.
So, is messing with the clock twice a year worth it? The debate continues, but think about this: perhaps losing an hour of sleep is worth the mood boost from extra daylight, especially to bid farewell to the winter blues.
你是否曾經夢想過多出一小時來為考試做好準備或完成作業？在某些國家，人們確實會調整他們的時鐘來增加或減少一小時，這一切都是為了夏令時間（DST）。
具體而言，時鐘在三月份會被向前調整一小時，然後在十一月份再向後調整。實行DST的主要原因之一是更好地利用自然光，讓人們能夠減少能源消耗。這個概念最早由班傑明富蘭克林於西元1784年提出，並在第一次世界大戰期間被廣泛採用。如今，這個制度在約110個國家實行，特別是那些靠近極圈的國家。在靠近赤道的國家，因為白天和黑夜的時間長度一致， DST 的效益較低。
DST除了節約能源外，還提供了幾項優點。例如，延長的日光時間允許人們在夏季傍晚進行戶外活動，提升了身體和心理健康。研究顯示，更多的日光鼓勵人們在工作後購物和用餐，這些活動通常受到天黑得早的限制，因此促進了經濟的增長。
然而，並不是每個人都喜歡夏令時間。批評者認為能源節約非常有限，因為人們最終在那些延長的炎熱日子裡使用更多的冷氣。此外，時間的變更可能干擾我們的睡眠，導致健康問題，如心臟疾病。它還可能使道路變得不太安全，因為昏昏欲睡的司機容易發生事故。
那麼，每年兩次播亂時鐘是否值得呢？這場辯論仍在持續，但不妨思考這一點：為了額外的日光所帶來的心情提升，也許失去一小時的睡眠是值得的，特別是為了告別冬季的陰霾。
MORE INFORMATION
originate v. 起源；發源
polar adj. 兩極的；極地的
equator n. 赤道
duration n. 持續時間
winter blues 冬季憂鬱
（指因冬天的寒冷而感到沮喪的感覺）
Key Vocabulary
1. adjust v. 調整；調節；適應
Max adjusted the settings on his computer so the screen wouldn’t be so bright.
麥克斯調整電腦上的設定，這樣螢幕才不會太亮。
2. consumption n. 消耗（量）； 攝取；食用
Energy consumption tends to increase in the summer months when people use their air conditioning more often.
能源的消耗量通常會在夏季月份增加，因為人們在那個時候會較常使用冷氣。
3. physical adj. 身體的；有形的；物理（學）的
This game will test your physical abilities, such as strength, endurance and balance.
這個遊戲會測試你的體能，像是力氣、耐力和平衡能力等。
4. economy n. 經濟（狀況）；節約
? This city’s economy is improving because of new laws that make things easier for businesses.
由於新法律讓企業更方便做事，這座城市的經濟因而有所改善。
5. boost n. 增加；改善
The new advertising campaign gave a boost to the brand’s visibility in the market.
新的廣告活動提高了該品牌在市場上的能見度。
6. critic n. 反對者；批評者；評論家
The pipeline has many critics who feel it’s an environmental hazard.
許多反對者認為這條管線是一種環境危害。
7. minimal adj. 極小的；極低的
Annie made a minimal effort to complete the assignment, resulting in a low grade.
安妮只付出了最低限度的努力來完成作業，導致成績不佳。
8. disrupt vt. 擾亂；顛覆
The typhoon has disrupted all the airlines’ flight schedules.
這個颱風擾亂了所有航空公司的班表。
9. prone adj. 有……傾向的；俯臥的
be prone to + N / V-ing 易於……；有……的傾向
It’s believed that babies born to smoking mthers are prone to developing
learning difficulties.
據信由吸菸的母親產下的嬰兒容易患有學習障礙。
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