Question

【题目】阅读理解。

Next time you raise an eyebrow at the views of your partner, friend, sibling (兄弟姐妹) or colleague, remember they could be helping to make you smarter.

New research shows that intelligence is not fixed but can be boosted throughout adulthood by family members, bright mates and intellectually stretching (拉伸) careers.

The study challenges the commonly held belief that intelligence is static by the age of about 18. Current scientific consensus suggests that intelligence is controlled by genes, with environmental factors such as schooling and nutrition playing a partial role up to this age. After this point, IQ scores stabilize (稳定).

But James Flynn, professor of political studies and psychology at the University of Otago in New Zealand, argues that people can “upgrade” their own intelligence throughout their lives. He believes intellectual stimulation (刺激) from others is crucial as the “brain seems to be rather like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets”. However, the opposite is also true – so people sharing a home or workplace with those who are intellectually challenged risk seeing their IQ levels fall as a result.

He found the “understanding quality” of a family changes the IQs of all members, especially children. It can “lift” or hold back, depending on the “gap between their brightness and that of their siblings and parents”. A bright ten-year-old with brothers and sisters of average intelligence will suffer a five to ten point IQ disadvantage, compared to a similar child with equally bright siblings. However, children with a low IQ could gain six to eight points by having brighter siblings and special educational treatment to help pull them up.

Professor Flynn also concluded that although genetics and early life experiences determine about 80 percent of intelligence, the remaining 20 percent is linked to lifestyle. This means that people can raise their IQ, or allow it to fall, by ten points or more. Therefore, the best way to boost IQ level is to mix with bright friends, find an intellectually challenging job and marry someone cleverer.

【1】We can learn from the passage that ____.

A. as the age grows, you will become smarter

B. a 35-year-old man is surely smarter than himself at the age of 18

C. you will be smarter if you have a partner, a friend or a sibling

D. after 18, you still have the possibility to become smarter

【2】The underlined word “static” in the 3rd paragraph probably means ____.

A. unstable B. fixed

C. varied D. repeated

【3】James Flynn holds the belief that ____.

A. intellectual stimulation from others makes the brain work better

B. people should avoid working with those intellectually challenged

C. one’s IQ could be held back if he has bright brothers or sisters

D. the IQ of children is least influenced by the understanding level of a family

【4】 What’s the best title for the passage?

A. Genetics Determines Intelligence.

B. Watch Out for Intelligence Falling.

C. Bright Siblings Make You Smarter.

D. Brain Is Like Muscle.

Answer 1

【答案】

【1】D

【2】B

【3】A

【4】C

【解析】

试题分析：和聪明的人一起玩吧！研究表明那样你也会聪明。

【1】D推理判断题。根据第二段New research shows that intelligence is not fixed but can be boosted throughout adulthood by family members, bright mates and intellectually stretching (拉伸) careers. 一项新研究显示，智力不是固定不变的，而是在整个成年期都会受到影响，家庭成员、聪明的配偶以及拓展智力的职业都会促进智力的提高。第四段第一句But James Flynn, professor of political studies and psychology at the University of Otago in New Zealand, argues that people can “upgrade” their own intelligence throughout their lives. 但是新西兰奥塔哥大学政治学和心理学退休荣誉教授詹姆斯·弗林说，人们能一辈子“升级”自己的智商。故选D。

【2】B词义猜测题。根据第二段第一句New research shows that intelligence is not fixed一项新研究显示，智力不是固定不变的；第三段第一句The study challenges the commonly held belief that intelligence is static by the age of about 18. 这项研究挑战了普遍持有的信念，到大约18岁的时候智力就处于稳定状态。故选B。

【3】A细节理解题。根据第四段中He believes intellectual stimulation (刺激) from others is crucial as the “brain seems to be rather like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets”. 他相信来自他人的智力刺激很重要，因为“大脑似乎更像一块肌肉——你用的越多，它就变的越强”。故选A。

【4】C主旨大意题。根据文章第一、二段Next time you raise an eyebrow at the views of your partner, friend, sibling or colleague, remember they could be helping to make you smarter.下次当你的伴侣、朋友、兄弟姐妹或同事的观点让你大吃一惊的时候，记住他们能让你更聪明。New research shows that intelligence is not fixed but can be boosted throughout adulthood by family members, bright mates and intellectually stretching careers.新研究指出，在整个成年期里，智力不是固定不变的，而是可以通过家庭成员、聪明的伙伴以及用智力拓展的事业来提高的。可知C项最适合做题目。