Question

There are two factors which determine an individual's intelligence. The first is the sort of brain he is born with. Human brains differ considerably, some being more capable than others. But no matter how good a brain he has to begin with, an individual will have a low order of intelligence unless he has opportunities to learn. So the second factor is what happens to the individual—_________________. If an individual is disabled environmentally, it is likely that his brain will fail to develop and he will never attain the level of intelligence of which he is capable.

The importance of environment in determining an individual's intelligence can be shown by the case history of the twins, Peter and Mark X. Being identical, the twins had identical brains at birth, and their growth processes were the same. When the twins were three months old, their parents died, and they were placed in separate foster homes. Peter was raised by parents of low intelligence in a separate community with poor educational opportunities. Mark was raised in the home of well-to-do parents who had been to college. He was read to as a child, sent to good schools, and given every opportunity to be stimulated （刺激） intellectually. This environmental difference continued until the twins were in their late teens, when they were given tests to measure their intelligence. Mark's I.Q. was 125, twenty-five points higher than the average and fully forty points higher than his identical brother. Given equal opportunities, Peter and Mark X, having identical brains, would have tested at roughly the same level.

1. What is the best title for this passage? （within 10 words）

  ___________________________________________________________________________

2. Which sentence in the passage is the closest in meaning to the following one?

Things being equal, the twins might have equal intelligence quotient.

  ____________________________________________________________________________

3. What conclusion can you draw from the case history of the twins?

___________________________________________________________________________

4. Fill in the blank in the first paragraph with a proper phrase. （within 10 words）

___________________________________________________________________________

5. Translate the underlined sentence in the first paragraph into Chinese.

  ___________________________________________________________________________

Answer 1

1. Intelligence and Environment

2. Given equal opportunities, Peter and Mark X, having identical brains, would have tested at roughly the same level.

3. An individual’s I.Q. can be increased/influenced by education.

4. the sort of environment in which he is brought up

5. 如果一个人受到了环境的破坏, 他的大脑很可能得不到发育, 他将永远不能达到他潜在的智力水平。