Ever walked to the shops only to find, once there, you’ve completely forgotten what you went for? Or struggled to remember the name of an old friend? For years we’ve accepted that a forgetful brain is as much a part of aging as wrinkles and grey hair. But now a new book suggests that we’ve got it all wrong.

According to The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain, by science writer Barbara Strauch, when it comes to the important things, our brains actually get better with age. In fact, she argues that some studies have found that our brain hits its peak between our 40s and 60s—much later than previously thought.

Furthermore, rather than losing many brain cells as we age, we keep them, and even produce new ones well into middle age. For years, it’s been assumed that brain, much like the body, declines with age. But the longest, largest study into what happens to people as they age suggests otherwise.

This continuing research has followed 6,000 people since 1956, testing them every seven years. It has found that on average, participants performed better on cognitive(认知的)tests in their 40s and 50s than they had done in their 20s. Specifically, older people did better on tests of vocabulary, verbal memory (how many words they can remember) and problem solving. Where they performed less well was number ability and perceptual speed—how fast they can push a button when ordered. However, with more complex tasks such as problem-solving and language, we are at our best at middle age and beyond. In short, researchers are now coming up with scientific proof that we do get wiser with age.

Neuroscientists are also finding that we are happier with age. A recent US study found older people were much better at controlling and balancing their emotions. It is thought that when we are younger we need to focus more on the negative aspects of life in order to learn about the possible dangers in the world, but as we get older we’ve learned our lessons and are aware that we have less time left in life; therefore, it becomes more important for us to be happy.

1.Barbara Strauch probably agrees that ________.

A. the young are better at handling important things

B. people’s brains work best between their 40s and 60s

C. aging leads to the decline of the function of the brain

D. wrinkles and grey hair are the only symbols of aging

2.The continuing research has found older people perform better on ________.

A. perceptual speedB. number ability

C. vocabulary testsD. body balance

3.People are happier with aging because ________.

A. they learn to value the time left

B. they know how to share feelings

C. they cannot focus on negative aspects

D. they do not realize the possible dangers

4.What is the main idea of the passage?

A. People get happier with age.

B. People get wiser with age.

C. People get more forgetful with age.

D. People get more self-aware with age.

The benefits of being an independent business are truly great. Beyond the rewarding nature of owning something truly unique, small businesses have the edge over their big business counterparts in many areas. Consider the importance of being independent and how that independence can help drive your business.

To some, having fewer customers simply means less cash flow; however, having a smaller base also allows you to focus more on customer satisfaction.

Companies are always searching for ways to improve customer service and have more of their business. Whether through paying special attention to who comes through your door or monitoring your customers through the social network, it’s less of trouble to make sure your customers’ needs are being met when there’s a smaller sample to deal with. In addition, it becomes much easier to create a personal connection with buyers when you have enough time and attention to show them some love.

Small businesses have an inherent advantage over their big box competitors in the sense that they can offer something different. People want to see the independent businesses that offer unique products and flavor to their communities. Your business can be the difference when it comes to what customers want.

Of course, big box companies will almost always beat you down when it comes to price. Consider, however, that if you can offer a truly unique product or experience, price becomes much less of an issue.

People like the idea of supporting local independent businesses versus “the big guys”. So, what businesses are booming due to the rise of independence?

Craft Beer(精酿啤酒) — The craft beer movement in the United States is supported so widely that big breweries have taken to creating their own competing “craft beer” brands in an attempt to follow the trend. While Anheuser Busch represents nearly half of America’s breweries, craft beer has seen a huge jump in sales in recent years.

Video Games — Whether through PCs, traditional consoles or mobile games, independent developers are supported by enthusiastic fans and micro-transactions in an industry that was formerly dominated by bigger developers.

Musicians — The modern web offers immense opportunities to musicians, resulting in more economic and artistic freedom. A surprising number of mainstream artists have seen great success from their independent releases, such as Macklemore’s The Heist, which has sold over one million copies in the United States alone.

Some small businesses don’t want to be small businesses forever. Regardless, consider what independence does for you and your company. If you offer something out of the ordinary, you can build an audience that respects your individuality and supports your cause.

The necessity of being an independent business

A focus on customer

1.______________

A smaller sample of customers makes it easy to 2.________ to customers’ needs.

With enough time and attention to show customers some love, an independent business person finds it easier to connect with them 3._________.

An offer of something completely different

Small businesses can offer something 4.________ the ordinary to their communities.

Being different can 5._________ a large number of active consumer groups.

A really unique product or experience can make customers take 6.__________ less seriously.

An appeal to an independent business

In the USA, craft beer is very popular with people, having 7.________ well in recent years.

Independent game developers gain the support of crazy fans in an industry that 8.__________ to be in the control of bigger developers.

A surprising number of mainstream artists 9.________ great success to their independent releases.

A chance to 10._____ for some small businesses

For some small businesses, independence can attract a group of people that respect their individuality and support their development.

What a busy day! The three boys were fed, bathed and changed into their nightclothes. Mary had ________ them a story and finally they were asleep. “Babysitting the three boys aged eight, six and four is extremely ________,” she thought.

“Sleep,” she considered, “if only I could!” But she had difficult homework to complete. Leaning back, she ________ her feet onto the sofa to get comfortable. Whoever said babysitting was a(n) ________ way to make money obviously hadn’t met the three boys, she thought. The television was on, the room was warm, and the lights were dim. Mary’s ________ felt heavier and heavier. I mustn’t sleep, she thought — which was ________ what she did, of course.

Strangely enough, she soon ________ that she was a world-famous chef. She made a ________ and wore diamonds and designer clothes. Most days she relaxed by the pool, meeting the rich and famous or ________— her favorite hobby. She ________ took the leading role in her own TV show.

That is, until she became too ________. “I am definitely the best in the world,” she thought, as she prepared a tasty chicken dish. But ________ seemed to go right. She spilt the flour, she dropped an egg and she cut her finger. Despite all the troubles, she ________ to get the chicken into the stove. Soon, smoke blanketed the room. The chicken was on fire. ________ set in, but Mary could not run—she was ________ to the spot. She tried hard to move, but could not, ________ a sharp sound awoke her.

She got shocked and confused —________ was pouring from the kitchen. Rushing to investigate, she was met by three ________ little faces and some very burnt bread. “Sorry, we were hungry and you were ________, so we tried to make some bread.” explained a boy. Relieved, Mary made them a snack and sent them back to bed. She ________ them never to fall asleep on the job again!

1.A. givenB. writtenC. toldD. taught

2.A. successfulB. helpfulC. tiringD. surprising

3.A. shookB. putC. bentD. kept

4.A. difficultB. boringC. importantD. easy

5.A. eyesB. mindC. heartD. legs

6.A. nicelyB. exactlyC. curiouslyD. carelessly

7.A. realizedB. remindedC. learnedD. dreamt

8.A. decisionB. fortuneC. businessD. plan

9.A. cookingB. readingC. runningD. babysitting

10.A. justB. everC. evenD. only

11.A. selfishB. proudC. stubbornD. sensitive

12.A. everythingB. somethingC. anythingD. nothing

13.A. tiredB. arrangedC. managedD. prepared

14.A. PanicB. PainC. NoiseD. Stress

15.A. frozenB. draggedC. pushedD. brought

16.A. becauseB. untilC. asD. unless

17.A. smokeB. lightC. waterD. fire

18.A. cheerfulB. strangeC. guiltyD. confident

19.A. busyB. hungryC. worriedD. asleep

20.A. promisedB. allowedC. expectedD. persuaded

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