請依下文回答第 16 題至第 20 題 College classrooms are often drab and dreary places. Walls are painted a variation of “institutional gray”;
furniture is easy to clean, but uncomfortable and unattractive. Chairs are lined up in straight rows facing the
teacher’s desk or lectern. In one study, over 80% of university students rated their classrooms negatively,
describing them as ugly, cramped, stuffy, and uncomfortable. The research by environmental psychologists is
beginning to show that unattractive classrooms are not only unappealing; they may also adversely affect
academic performance.
A more carefully controlled study of classroom environments was conducted a few years ago. The
researchers selected two identical classrooms located side by side in the psychology building. The control
classroom, which they called the “sterile classroom,” had white walls, a gray carpet, and rows of plastic desks.
Besides, an alcohol-based beautiful hand sanitizer was placed in the room for students to use. The experimental
classroom, which they called the “friendly classroom,” was redecorated with the help of a design consultant.
Several walls were painted bright colors, art posters hung on the walls, large plants added to the room, and
colorful Chinese kites hung from the ceiling. In addition to traditional desks, a part of the room was outfitted
with area rugs, color-coordinated cushions, and wooden cubes to provide nontraditional seating.
The researchers investigated how these two different environments affected performance in actual college
classes. Two professors teaching introductory psychology agreed to participate in the study although they were
not informed of the purpose of the research. When school began, each class was randomly assigned to one of
the two rooms. Halfway through the term, the classes switched rooms. Thus, students in both classes spent half
the term in the control room and half in the experimental room. Students were not told they were being studied;
the switch in rooms was explained as occurring because the original room was needed for videotaping. The
most striking finding from this study was that students performed significantly better on regular course exams
when they were in the friendly rather than the sterile room.
【題組】18 We can conclude from the passage that the two professors might have guessed the purpose of the study
they were in because__________ .
(A) they had read about the interests of the researchers
(B) one of the two rooms they taught in was decorated unusually
(C) research assistants gave them hints about the purpose of the study
(D) the study was carried out many times before they participated in this study