Question

Why texting harms your IQ

The regular use of text messages and e-mails can lower the IQ more than twice as much as smoking marijuana (大麻). That is the statement of researchers who have found that tapping away on a mobile phone or computer keypad or checking for electronic messages temporarily knocks up to 10 points off the user’s IQ. This rate of decline in intelligence compares unfavorably with the four-point drop in IQ associated with smoking marijuana, according to British researchers, who have described the phenomenon of improved stupidity as “infomania”. The research conducted by Hewlett Packard, the technology company, has concluded that it is mainly a problem for adult workers, especially men.

It is concluded that too much use of modern technology can damage a person’s mind. It can cause a constant distraction of “always on” technology when employees should be concentrating on what they are paid to do. Infomania means that they lose concentration as their minds remain fixed in an almost permanent state of readiness to react to technology instead of focusing on the task in hand. The report also added that, in a long term, the brain will be considerably shaped by what we do to it and by the experience of daily life. At a microcellular level, the complex networks of nerve cells that make up parts of the brain actually change in response to certain experiences.

Too much use of modern technology can be damaging not only to a person’s mind, but to their social relationship. 1100 adults were interviewed during the research. More than 62 per cent of them admitted that they were addicted to checking their e-mails and text messages so often that they scrutinized work-related ones even when at home or on holiday. Half said that they always responded immediately to an email and will even interrupt a meeting to do so. It is concluded that infomania is increasing stress and anxiety and affecting one’s characteristics. Nine out of ten thought that colleagues who answered e-mails or messages during a face-to-face meeting were extremely rude.

The effects on IQ were studied by Dr. Glenn Wilson, a psychologist at University of London. “This is a very real and widespread phenomenon,” he said. “We have found that infomania will damage a worker’s performance by reducing their mental sharpness and changing their social life. Companies should encourage a more balanced and appropriate way of working.”

1.We can learn from the passage that “infomania” ______.

A. has a positive influence on one’s IQ

B. results in the change of part of the brain

C. lies in the problem of lack of concentration

D. is caused by too much use of modern technology

2.The research mentioned in the passage is most probably about ______.

A. the important function of advanced technology

B. the damage to one’s brain done by unhealthy habits

C. the relevance between IQ and use of modern technology

D. the relationship between intelligence and working effectiveness

3.The underlined word “scrutinized” probably means “______”.

A. examined carefully B. copied patiently

C. corrected quickly D. admitted freely

4.Which of the following shows the structure of the passage?

CP: Central Point P: Point Sp: Sub-point (次要点) C: Conclusion

Answer 1

1.D

2.C

3.A

4.B

【解析】

试题分析: 文章讲述的是当代科技的过度使用会导致人的智商的下降。

1.D推理判断题，根据第一段内容The regular use of text messages and e-mails can lower the IQ more than twice as much as smoking marijuana (大麻).可知，发短信等活动会导致“infomania”智商下降。选D。

2.C推理判断题。根据第二段It is concluded that too much use of modern technology can damage a person’s mind可知，文章讲述的是当代技术的过度使用和人的智商的关系，故选C项。

3.A猜测词义题，根据后面的even when at home or on holiday可知，即使在家里或者放假的时候，还会认真的查看工作相关的邮件，故选A项。

4.B文章结构题：通读全文，根据各段大意可知。第一段是讲经常收发短信和电子邮件会对人的智商有伤害，第二段讲的是大当代科技对人的智力的影响，其中分两点：一是会使人们分散注意力，二是会使大脑的组织结构造成变化，第三段讲的是过度使用当地科技会对人的社会关系产生影响，第四段是总结，选B。

考点：考查社会现象类短文