Common Questions about Dreams
Does everyone dream ?
Yes. Research shows that we all dream. We have our most vivid dreams during a type of sleep called Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep. During REM sleep, the brain is very active. The eyes move quickly back and forth under the lids, and the large muscles of the body are relaxed. REM sleep occurs every 90-100 minutes, three to four times a night, and it lasts longer as the night goes on. ___1___ We dream at other times during the night, too, but those dreams are less vivid.
Do people remember their dreams ?
A few people remember their dreams. However, most people forget nearly everything that happened during the night — dreams, thoughts, and the short periods of time when they were awake. ___2___ It seems that the memory of the dream is not totally lost, but for some reason it is very hard to bring it back. If you want to remember your dream，the best thing to do is to write it down as soon as you wake up.
Are dreams in color ?
Most dreams are in color. However, people may not be aware of it for two reasons ： They don’t usually remember the details of their dreams, or they don’t notice the color because it is such a natural part of our lives. ___3___
Do dreams have meaning ?
Scientists continue to debate this issue. ___4___ Some people use dreams to help them learn more about their feelings, thoughts, behavior, motives, and values. Others find that dreams can help them solve problems. It’s also true that artists, writers, and scientists often get creative ideas from dreams.
How can I learn to understand my dreams ?
The most important thing to remember is that your dreams are personal. The people, actions, and situations in your dreams reflect your experience, your thoughts, and your feelings. Some dream experts believe that there are certain types of dreams that many people have，even if they come from different cultures or time periods. Usually, however, the same dream will have different meanings for different people. For example, an elephant in a dream may mean one thing to a zookeeper and something very different to a child whose favorite toy is a stuffed elephant. ___5___ Then look for links between your dreams and what is happening in your daily life. If you think hard and you are patient, perhaps the meaning of your dreams will become clearer to you.
词汇：
vivid /'vivid/ adj. 清晰的，生动的，逼真的
lid /lid/ n. 眼睑（=eyelid)
motive /m utiv/ n. 动机
stuffed /st ft/ adj. 填充的，塞满了的
注释：
1.back and forth：来回地，反复地。
2.bring it back：回忆起它来。bring back：使回忆起来，带回来、拿回来，使恢复。
3.Scientists continue to debate this issue. 科学家们不断地讨论这个问题。“debate”作动词“争 论，辩论，讨论”讲，既可以是不及物动词也可以是及物动词，作不及物动词时常与 “about/ on/upon” 搭配。
练习：
AHowever, people who spend time thinking about their dreams believe that they are meaningful and useful.
BThe final REM period may last as long as 45 minutes.
CPeople who are very aware of color when they are awake probably notice color more often in their dreams.
DOur most powerful dreams don’t happen during deep sleep.
ETo learn to understand your dreams, think about what each part of the dream means to you or reminds you of.
FSometimes, though, people suddenly remember a dream later in the day or on another day.

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