题目内容
Until just a few years ago, we doctors believed that the brain stopped making new neural(神经系统的) connections (meaning that your memory began to get worse) when the body stopped developing, usually in your early 20s. And we knew that, like any other body part, neurons weaken as we age. Loss of brain function due to neural breakdown was assumed to be a normal, unavoidable part of aging.
It turns out that we were wrong. In the past few years, it has been discovered that you can, in fact, make new neurons starting in your 20s and continuing well into old age. You can literally rewire the brain with new parts as the older parts wear out. How? Simple: Keep learning. Just as your body can pack on and condition new muscle, your brain can rebuild used-up neurons.
How strong is the evidence for this? Strong enough that a $200 million industry devoted to brain boosting software (products like Brain Age, MindFit, and Lumosity that supposedly improve your memory function) has sprung up out of nowhere. All “mental fitness” means are keeping your memory intact(everything from phone numbers to how to throw a football). So what can you do to stay smart?
Keep blood pressure down. People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop cognitive impairment later in life.
Eat more vitamins. Like E(in nuts and sunflower seeds), B6 and B12(beef, tuna), and folic acid(leafy greens, citrus, berries), which help keep your brain’s chemistry in balance.
Exercise your brain. This is the best way to rebuild and strengthen those precious neurons. Learn to play chess or the guitar. When you’re at a stoplight, try to recall the starting lineup of the 1983 Celtics. See a movie that doesn’t feature Ben Stiller. Or read, like, a book.
Title: How to keep the 1.________smart?
Previous 2._________ | The brain no longer makes new neural connections once the 3.________ of one’s body has stopped. |
New 4. ________
| ●New neurons continue to occur even in one’s old age. ●5.________contributes to the development of the new parts of your brain. ●Many products which claim to improve your brain function appear in the 6._________. |
7._________ | ●Keep yourself away from 8._________blood pressure. ●9._________in more vitamins for the needs of your brain. ●10._______your brain as much as you can. |
1.brain
2.belief
3.growth/development
4.discoveries
5.Learning
6.market
7.Suggestions/Advice/Tips
8.high
9.Take
10.Exercise/Use
【解析】
试题分析：题目主要考查学生从文中提取有效信息的能力。做题时需要注意转换单词的词性，还要加强短语的积累。
1.You can literally rewire the brain with new parts as the older parts wear out.”和第三段“So what can you do to stay smart?”可知，文章主要讲的是如何让大脑变得更聪明，故填brain。
2.we doctors believed that the brain stopped making new neural(神经系统的) connections”可知，以前的观点是当身体停止生长时，人的大脑也会停止产生新的神经联结，这里需要填believe的名词形式，故填belief。
3.when the body stopped developing”可知，科学家以前认为当身体停止生长时，大脑也将停止产生新的神经联结，由此可知，这里指的是身体的生长，故填growth/development。
4.In the past few years, it has been discovered that you can...”可知，科学家有了新的发现，discovery是可数名词，故填discoveries。
5.How? Simple: Keep learning.”可知，保持学习能够促进大脑的发展，故填Learning。
6.a $200 million industry devoted to brain boosting software (products like Brain Age,...has sprung up out of nowhere.”可知，许多声称能够增强大脑能力的产品已经如雨后春笋般不断涌现出来，这里指相关产品已经在市面上开始销售，故填market。
7.So what can you do to stay smart?”可知，“Keep blood pressure down. ...Eat more vitamins. ...Exercise your brain.”是作者给出的建议，故填Suggestions/Advice/Tips。
8.Keep blood pressure down. People with high blood pressure are...”可知，应该把血压保持在一个较低的水平，故填high。
9.Eat more vitamins.”可知，应该多摄入一些维生素，take in吸收，故填Take。
10.Exercise your brain.”可知，应该尽可能多地使用大脑，让大脑得到锻炼，故填Exercise/Use。
考点：考查提取有效信息；词性转换
