If you don’t use it, you lose it. At least, that’s how the old saying goes. It refers to the idea that something that does not get used regularly quickly falls into a state of decline. For example, a hobby that you haven’t done for a few years, like playing the piano. The next time you pick it up, maybe you’ve forgotten altogether! In order to prevent this, people take regular exercise to keep their skills sharp.
Well, what about the brain? As we age, our brains can naturally begin to decline (衰退). In some cases, this can lead to certain mental conditions such as dementia (痴呆). However, all is not lost because these days it’s relatively easy to train your brain. Smartphones and apps have put programmes that can test, keep and even improve our memories and a number of other mental abilities. With a little practice every day, we can keep our brains sharp, right?
Well, no, actually. According to a report from the Global Council on Brain Health, even though many people think it is beneficial to play some online games that are designed to improve brain health, the evidence of the benefits is “weak to non-existent”. Playing a “brain game” may lead to improvements in game performance, but this has yet to show a convincing result in people’s daily cognitive abilities.
Don’t lose heart, though. There are other ways to develop the brain. It recommends trying new activities that challenge the way you think and are socially engaging, while leading to a healthy lifestyle. Among their suggestions are practising tai chi, taking photography classes, learning new technologies, gardening, art projects or volunteering.
There’s more good news too. James Goodwin, chief scientist at Age UK, has said that brain decline is not unavoidable. As long as the activities are “new to you and require your concentrated attention”, they can provide benefits for brain health. So, hurry up, get out there and try something new. Maybe it’s time to try that hobby you’ve always wanted to do.
12. Why is playing the piano mentioned in paragraph 1?
A. To introduce the topic of brain decline.
B. To illustrate the meaning of an old saying.
C. To explain how to keep physically healthy.
D. To show the importance of regular exercise.
13. What can we infer about the effectiveness of playing online brain games from paragraph 3?
A. Strong and continuous benefits have been proved.
B. The evidence of the benefits is weak to non-existent.
C. The benefits are not obvious in terms of daily cognitive abilities.
D. Both game performance and cognitive functions are greatly improved.
14. According to James Goodwin, which of the following does NOT help prevent brain decline?
A. Playing a familiar game that does not demand much thought.
B. Learning a new musical instrument that requires concentration.
C Participating in a photography course that challenges one’s creative skills.
D. Taking part in a new cooking class that teaches techniques unknown before.
15. What is the main idea of the text?
A. Brain decline is natural and unavoidable as people age.
B. Online brain games can improve people’s cognitive abilities.
C. Engaging in new and challenging activities can benefit brain health.
D. Regular exercise and healthy lifestyle are key to keeping the brain healthy.
【答案】12. B 13. C 14. A 15. C
【解析】
【导语】本文是一篇说明文。文章主要讲述了通过新活动保持大脑健康比在线脑力游戏更有效。
【12题详解】
推理判断题。根据第一段“If you don’t use it, you lose it. At least, that’s how the old saying goes. It refers to the idea that something that does not get used regularly quickly falls into a state of decline. For example, a hobby that you haven’t done for a few years, like playing the piano. The next time you pick it up, maybe you’ve forgotten altogether!(如果你不使用它,你就会失去它。至少,老话是这么说的。它指的是不经常使用的东西很快就会陷入衰退状态。例如,你有几年没有从事的爱好,比如弹钢琴。下次你拿起它的时候,也许你已经完全忘记了!)”可知,提到弹钢琴的目的是为了阐释这句老话的含义。故选B项。
【13题详解】
推理判断题。根据文章第三段“ Playing a “brain game” may lead to improvements in game performance, but this has yet to show a convincing result in people’s daily cognitive abilities.(玩“脑力游戏”可能会提高游戏表现,但这在人们的日常认知能力方面尚未显示出令人信服的结果)”可知,玩在线脑力游戏在日常认知能力方面的效果并不明显。故选C项。
【14题详解】
细节理解题。根据最后一段“As long as the activities are “new to you and require your concentrated attention”, they can provide benefits for brain health.(只要这些活动“对你来说是新鲜的,需要你集中注意力”,它们就能对大脑健康有益。)”可知,A选项“玩一个不需要太多思考的熟悉游戏”描述的是熟悉的、不需要太多思考或集中注意力的游戏,这不符合James Goodwin所说的对大脑有益的活动特征。故选A项。
【15题详解】
主旨大意题。通读全文,并结合第一段“If you don’t use it, you lose it. At least, that’s how the old saying goes. It refers to the idea that something that does not get used regularly quickly falls into a state of decline. For example, a hobby that you haven’t done for a few years, like playing the piano. The next time you pick it up, maybe you’ve forgotten altogether! In order to prevent this, people take regular exercise to keep their skills sharp.(如果你不使用它,你就会失去它。至少,老话是这么说的。它指的是不经常使用的东西很快就会陷入衰退状态。例如,你有几年没有从事的爱好,比如弹钢琴。下次你拿起它的时候,也许你已经完全忘记了!为了防止这种情况,人们经常锻炼以保持他们的技能锋利)”可知,文章主要讨论了如何通过参与新的具有挑战性的活动来保持大脑健康,指出尽管一些人认为在线益智游戏可以改善大脑健康,但证据不足。相反,文章推荐寻求新的活动,挑战思维方式,参与社交,同时养成健康的生活方式,这些都可以为大脑健康带来好处。因此,文章的主旨大意是参与新的具有挑战性的活动有益于大脑健康。故选C项。
