Question

If you are sending a text message, watching TV or listening to the radio, you may stop and give this your full attention. Multi-tasking shrinks(使……萎縮) the brain, research suggests.

A study found that men and women who frequently used several types of technology at the same time had less grey matter in a key part of the brain. University of Sussex researchers said, “Using mobile phones, laptops and other media devices simultaneously could be changing the structure of our brains.”

Worryingly, the part of the brain that shrinks is involved in processing emotion. The finding follows research which has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span, depression, anxiety and lower grades at school.

The researchers began by asking 75 healthy men and women how often they divided their attention between different types of technology. This could mean sending a text message while listening to music and checking email, or speaking on the phone while watching TV and surfing the internet. The volunteers were then given brain scans which showed they had less grey matter in a region called the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC)(前扣帶皮質). Scientists have proved that brain structure can be changed on exposure to fresh environments and experience.

Other studies have shown that training – such as learning to play magic tricks or taxi drivers’ learning the map of London – can increase grey-matter densities(密度) in certain parts.

Experts have also warned of the harmful impact technology can have on our memory and attention span. The University of California team conducted a survey of more than 18,000 people aged between 18 and 99, and found 20% had problems with memory. Researchers were shocked greatly by the 14% of 18 to 39-year-old people who also worried about their memories.

Multi-tasking may shorten attention span, making it harder to focus and form memories, the researchers said, adding that youngsters may be particularly affected by stress.

1.The underlined word "simultaneously" in Para.2 means _________.

A. on one’s own B. at no time

C. at the same time D. by accident

2.All of the following are possible effects of multi-tasking except _________.

A. saving time B. a shortened attention span

C. lower grades at school D. depression and anxiety

3.What can increase grey-matter densities?

A. Sending a text message while listening to music .

B. Students’ doing their homework.

C. Taxi drivers’ learning the map of London.

D. Speaking on the phone while watching TV.

4.In which section of a newspaper can the passage be found?

A. Entertainment. B. Economy.

C. Tourism. D. Science.

5.Which of the following can be the best title of this passage?

A. Media multi-tasking is becoming more popular.

B. Multi-tasking shrinks the brain.

C. Multi-tasking may shorten attention span.

D. People are worried about their memories.

Answer 1

1.C

2.A

3.C

4.D

5.B

【解析】

試題分析：本文主要講了多任務通過影響人類大腦灰質的密度，從而影響著人類的日常生活。通過多任務所帶來的負面影響，闡釋了文章主旨：多任務能夠使大腦萎縮。

1. shrinks(使……萎縮) the brain, research suggests.”知道研究表明：多任務能夠使人的大腦萎縮。從第二段“A study found that men and women who frequently used several types of technology at the same time had less grey matter in a key part of the brain.”看出，經常同時使用多種類型的技術的男性或女性在大腦的關鍵部分有較少的灰質。綜合這兩點可以推斷出"simultaneously"的意思，故選C。

2. finding follows research which has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span, depression, anxiety and lower grades at school.”可以看出多任務已經和學生在學校縮短的注意力，抑郁，焦慮，成績低下等聯系在一起了，文中并沒有提到節省時間。故選A。

3. studies have shown that training – such as learning to play magic tricks or taxi drivers’ learning the map of London – can increase grey-matter densities(密度) in certain parts.”可以看出一些訓練，比如說學習魔術或者出租車司機學習倫敦地圖，能夠增加大腦某個區域灰質密度。故選C。

4.

5.

考點：考查社會現象類閱讀。