Do you jump out of bed early， wide awake and ready to start your day？ If so， you would be considered an "early bird"． Perhaps， though， you fear the sound of your alarm clock each morning and have little energy until the afternoon． If that is the case， you are probably a "night owl"． Most of us fall into one of these two categories but what makes us this way？ And is one better than the other？ Different people hold different opinions．
Traditionally， early risers have been praised as hard-working and productive． On the other hand， those who prefer to sleep in and get up late are considered lazy and nonproductive． This stereotype（陳規(guī)）dates back to early times when most people farmed， worked and slept according to the sun． But even in the 21st century， most people still believe the early bird catches the worm． This famous expression supports the idea that early risers have an advantage over late risers． Yet， some scientists now believe that "night owls" can actually focus longer and produce more than early risers． Research has found that early bird doesn't always get the worm． In a Belgian study， both "morning people" and "evening people" were observed during their normal asleep and awake routines．
After 10 hours of being awake， the "evening people" became more active and energetic． However， the "morning people" became sleepy and less focused． Researchers believe the reason for this difference is that night owls receive a last-minute increase of energy from their brains． This added energy allows night owls to stay sharp and productive for longer periods of time， usually until bedtime． What determines our body's preference？
Environment， lifestyle， activities and childhood routines are all factors， yet， genes may play the biggest role． In 2007， scientists reported discovering something they called the "after-hour" gene． People with this gene had a natural ability to stay active and late into the night． It is possible to change your sleeping patterns but if you are happy rising early or staying up late， you're probably doing what works best for your own personal body clock．
（1）What does the underlined phrase refer to？ （ No more than 2 words）
Late risers．
Late risers．
（2）Why do most people still value the early risers in the 21st century？ （ No more than 10 words）Because they believe that early risers are hard working and productive．
Because they believe that early risers are hard working and productive．
（3）What kind of people are more likely to get absent-minded during the day？ （ No more than 2 words）Early risers
Early risers
（4）Why are some people able to stay active late into the night according to the scientists？ （No more than 15 words）Because they have something called the "after-hour gene"．
Because they have something called the "after-hour gene"．
（5）Do you think it necessary to change our sleeping patterns？ Why？ （ No more than 25 words）Yes，I want to be a early riser． Because I have much work to do during the day．
Yes，I want to be a early riser． Because I have much work to do during the day．
