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Ways to Keep Your Brain Young
Every brain changes with age, and mental function changes along with it. Mental decline(下降) is common, and it is one of the most worrying consequences of aging.
1. Here are some ways that can help reduce your risk of age-related memory loss.
Get plenty of mental stimulation (激发).
Any mentally stimulating activity should help to build up your brain. 2. Experiment with things that require manual(手工的) skills as well as mental effort, such as drawing, painting and other crafts.
Get some physical exercise.
3. Animals that exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the parts of the brain that is responsible for thought. Exercise also stimulates the brains to become more efficient and adaptive, which means having better performance.
Avoid tobacco and too much alcohol.
Avoid tobacco in all its forms and don’t abuse (滥用) alcohol. 4. And if you use alcohol responsibly, you may actually reduce your risk of dementia(痴呆). At least five studies have linked low amounts of alcohol with a reduced risk of dementia in older adults.
Other ways.
Improve your diet and eat the right food, as good nutrition(营养) can help your mind as well as your body. Stay slim and keep your blood pressure low. 5. Protect your head: moderate or severe head injuries strongly increase the risk of mental decline in old age. Build social networks. Strong social ties have been associated with lower blood pressure and longer life.
A. In fact, mental decline is not unavoidable.
B. Too much drinking is a major risk factor for dementia.
C. Experts are not ready to recommend aspirin(阿司匹林) for dementia.
D. Research shows that exercise may help your mind as well as your muscles.
E. High blood pressure increases the risk of mental decline in old age.
F. Low scores on mental tests don’t necessarily predict a risk of mental decline in old age.
G. Read, take courses, or try “mental gymnastics” such as word puzzles or mental maths problems.
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Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp
Everyone is forgetful, but as we age, we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit—and that can be a very annoying thing. ________1.________ Read on for some techniques worth trying.
1．________2.________
People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced chance of Alzheimer's disease (早老性痴呆症), according to a recent study. ________3.________Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There's evidence that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or shortterm goals appear to do better. In other words, keep your brain looking forward.
2．Go for a walk.
Mildly raised glucose (葡萄糖) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact，exercise produces chemicals that are good for your brain. ________4.________
3．Learn something new.
Take a Spanish class online, join a drawing club, or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation (刺激) limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when you learn something new and are physically active at the same time. ________5.________Or go dancing with your friends.
A．Focus on the future.
B．This can be especially harmful to the aged.
C．It should be something like learning gardening.
D．So take a few minutes each day to do some reading.
E．But don't worry if your schedule isn't filled with lifechanging events.
F．Luckily, research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.
G．In other words, when you take care of your body, you take care of your brain.
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根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处得最佳选项，选项中有两个选项为多余选项。
Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp
Everyone is forgetful, but as we age, we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit — and that can be a very annoying thing. __1.__ Read on for some techniques worth trying.
1．__2._
People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced chance of Alzheimer's disease (早老性痴呆症), according to a recent study. _3.__ Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There's evidence that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or short term goals appear to do better. In other words, keep your brain looking forward.
2．Go for a walk.
Mildly raised glucose (葡萄糖) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact, exercise produces chemicals that are good for your brain. __4.__
3．Learn something new.
Take a Spanish class online, join a drawing club, or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation (刺激) limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when you learn something new and are physically active at the same time. __5.__ Or go dancing with your friends.
A. Focus on the future.
B. This can be especially harmful to the aged.
C. It should be something like learning gardening.
D. So take a few minutes each day to do some reading.
E. But don't worry if your schedule isn't filled with life changing events.
F. Luckily, research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.
G. In other words, when you take care of your body, you take care of your brain.
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根据短文内容，从短文后的选项中选出能填入空白处的最佳选项。选项中有两项为多余选项。
Easy Ways to Keep Your Brain Sharp
Everyone is forgetful, but as we age, we start to feel like our brains are slowing down a bit — and that can be a very annoying thing. 1. Read on for some techniques worth trying.
1. 2.
People who regularly made plans and looked forward to upcoming events had a 50 percent reduced chance of Alzheimer's disease (早老性痴呆症), according to a recent study. 3. Something as simple as setting a goal to have a weekly coffee date with a friend will do. There's evidence that people who have a purpose in life or who are working on long or short-term goals appear to do better. In other words, keep your brain looking forward.
2. Go for a walk.
Mildly raised glucose (葡萄糖) levels can harm the area of the brain that helps you form memories and physical activity can help get blood glucose down to normal levels. In fact, exercise produces chemicals that are good for your brain. 4.
3. Learn something new.
Take a Spanish class online, join a drawing club, or learn to play cards. A study found that mental stimulation (刺激) limits the weakening effects of aging on memory and the mind. But the best thing for your brain is when you learn something new and are physically active at the same time. 5. Or go dancing with your friends.
A. But don't worry if your schedule isn't filled with life-changing events.
B. This can be especially harmful to the aged.
C. It should be something like learning gardening.
D. So take a few minutes each day to do some reading.
E. Focus on the future.
F. In other words, when you take care of your body, you take care of your brain.
G. Luckily, research shows there is a lot you can do to avoid those moments.
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Since 50 years ago, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Brain Computer Interface (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.
Recently, two researchers, Jose Millan and Michelle Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, demonstrated (展示) a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person’s thoughts.
In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.
“Our brain has billions of nerve cells. These send signals through the spinal cord (脊髓) to the muscles to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles,” Tavella says, “Our system allows disabled people to communicate with external world and also to control devices.”
The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp (头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the signals and commands the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair also has two cameras that identify objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.
Prof. Millan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that interprets brain signals and turns them into simple commands. “The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two categories: communication, and controlling devices. One example is this wheelchair.” He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from. And the other is to guarantee that they can use the technology over long periods of time.
1.What is BCI?
A.BCI is a technology that can link the human brain with computers.
B.BCI is a technology that can help to update computer systems.
C.BCI is a technology that can help the disabled to recover.
D.BCI is a technology that can control a person's thoughts.
2.How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?
A.By controlling his muscles. B.By talking to the machine.
C.By using his mind. D.By moving his hand.
3.Which of the following shows the path of the signals described in Paragraph 5?
A.scalp→computer→cap→wheelchair
B.scalp→cap→computer→wheelchair
C.computer→cap→scalp→wheelchair
D.cap→computer→scalp→wheelchair
4.Which of the following would be the BEST title for the text?
A.Switzerland, the BCI Research Center
B.New Findings about How the Human Brain Works
C.Robotic Vehicles Could Help to Cure Brain Injuries
D.BCI Could Mean More Freedom for the Disabled
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Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send commands to machines.
Recently, two researchers, Jose Millan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, demonstrated a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts.
In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the vehicle and guided it with his thoughts.
“Our brain has billions of nerve cells. These send signals through the spinal cord (脊髓) to the muscles to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles.” Tavella says. “Our system allows disabled people to communicate with external world and also to control devices.
The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp (头皮) and sends them to a computer. The computer interprets the signals and commands the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair also has two cameras that identify objects in its path. They help the computer react to commands from the brain.
Prof. Millan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that interprets brain signals and turns them into simple commands. “The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be grouped in two categories: communication, and controlling devices. One example is this wheelchair.”
He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from. And the other is to guarantee that they can use the technology over long periods of time.
1.BCI is a technology that can ________.
A. help the disabled to recover
B. control a person's thoughts
C. help to update computer systems
D. link the human brain with computers
2.How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?
A. By talking to the machine.
B. By controlling his muscles.
C. By using his mind.
D. By moving his hand.
3.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A. Robotic Vehicles Could Help to Cure Brain Injuries
B. BCI Could Mean More Freedom for the Disabled
C. New Findings About How the Human Brain Works
D. Switzerland, the BCI Research Center
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Since the 1970s, scientists have been searching for ways to link the brain with computers. Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology could help people with disabilities send orders to machines.
Recently, two researchers, Jose Millan and Michele Tavella from the Federal Polytechnic School in Lausanne, Switzerland, showed a small robotic wheelchair directed by a person's thoughts.
In the laboratory, Tavella operated the wheelchair just by thinking about moving his left or right hand. He could even talk as he watched the wheelchair and guided it with his thoughts.
“Our brain has billions of nerve cells(神经细胞). These send signals through the spinal cord (脊髓)to the muscles(肌肉) to give us the ability to move. But spinal cord injuries or other conditions can prevent these weak electrical signals from reaching the muscles.” Tavella says. “Our system allows disabled people to communicate with outside world and also to control the machine.”
The researchers designed a special cap for the user. This head cover picks up the signals from the scalp(头皮)and sends them to a computer. The computer understands the signals and directs the motorized wheelchair. The wheelchair also has two cameras that recognize objects in its path. They help the computer react to orders from the brain.
Prof. Millan, the team leader, says scientists keep improving the computer software that understands brain signals and turns them into simple orders. “The practical possibilities that BCI technology offers to disabled people can be divided into two kinds: communication, and controlling the machine. One example is this wheelchair.”
He says his team has set two goals. One is testing with real patients, so as to prove that this is a technology they can benefit from. And the other is to ensure that they can use the technology over long periods of time.
1.How did Tavella operate the wheelchair in the laboratory?
A. By controlling his muscles.
B. By talking to the machine.
C. By moving his hand.
D. By using his mind.
2.Which of the following shows the path of the signals described in Paragraph 5?
A. scalp → computer → cap →wheelchair
B. computer → cap → scalp →wheelchair
C. scalp → cap → computer →wheelchair
D. cap → computer → scalp →wheelchair
3.The team will test with real patients to ______.
A. make profits from them
B. prove the technology useful to them
C. make them live longer
D. learn about their physical condition
4.Which of the following would be the best title for the text?
A. Switzerland, the BCI Research Center
B. New Findings About How the Human Brain Works
C. BCI Could Mean More Freedom for the Disabled
D. Computer Technology Could Help to Cure Brain Injuries
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Ways to Strengthen Your Brainpower
Want a healthier, sharper brain? It’s easier than you think to achieve improved cognition (认知) and memory. Try these simple tips to power up your brain!
1. Play ping-pong.
1. Researchers have found that in players older than 50, ping-pong improves brain health by activating specific neurons (神经元), and shows promise in preventing dementia (an illness that affects the brain and memory, and makes you gradually lose the ability to think and behave normally).
2. Close your eyes.
Research has found that closing your eyes while recalling an event could help you remember details 23 percent more accurately.2. It’s thought that once visual distractions are removed, your brain focuses more efficiently.
3. Shake your body.
Anew study has found that regular aerobic (有氧的) exercise can actually increase the size of your hippocampus — the part of your brain that helps you learn and remember.3.
4. Find your sleep sweet spot.
Getting a good night’s sleep is the best thing you can do for your brain long term.4. The National Sleep Foundation recommends seven to nine hours of shut-eye per night for adults ages 18 to 64, and seven to eight hours for adults 65 and older.
5.5.
Make a point to regularly ask yourself, “What if everything went right instead of wrong?” Positive thinking can actually activate your brain’s physical ability to adapt and change. Former President Jimmy Carter, 91, who responded to his recent cancer diagnosis with “optimism and determination,” is a great example of this.
A. How does it work?
B. Look on the bright side.
C. Hang out with friends and family.
D. It improves your mood and clears out your mind.
E. So whether it’s dancing, jumping or running, it’s good for your brain.
F. If you want to sharpen your brain, you have to focus your attention on yourself.
G. Table tennis has long been praised for its ability to improve attention and concentration.
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Reasons Why Change Is Good for You
We all know that change is hard because your brain is used to doing the same thing again and again. 1. But the positive consequence is really great. Here are four reasons why change is good for you:
◆ 2.
Life in the comfort zone is easy. You simply follow a routine and you can predict the results. Outside of the comfort zone, your assumptions are questioned. The idea of doing the same thing over and over without question is discouraged.
◆ You get to experience more.
3. When you look back on your life, all of the really amazing things are because of a new experience you had. All of those vacations you took and all of the people you have met have taught you more than you ever learned in school. These experiences now make up who you are today.
◆ You’ll be more flexible and adaptable.
Without doubt, change makes you more flexible and adaptable. You leam to deal with things in a way that seems foreign but acceptable and achievable. 4. You begin to thrive (茁壮成长) in new situations because you have proven to yourself that you can, not only handle change, but FLOURISH.
◆ You have more fun.
When you are open to change, you are open to saying YES to more. You are open to more experiences and opportunities. 5. When you add all of these things together, you are going to have a more colorful life and you’ll have a ton of fun figuring it all out along the way—there’s no doubt about it.
A.You are pushed out of your comfort zone.
B.Experience is waiting for you at the doorstep.
C.You have the opportunity to meet more people too.
D.Whether the change is good or bad for you, it does happen.
E.We also know how challenging it can be to go through change.
F.Then, you’ll be more confident when in the next uncomfortable situation.
G.Change is good because you have the chance to involve in new experiences.
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Suffering from chronic fatigue (慢性疲劳)? Read on to know how to deal with it.
Let your brain waves relax before sleep. If you want to feel energized in the morning, you need to change your evening and bed time routines. 1. Besides, stay away from your phone, laptop, TV and any device that gives off the blue light.
Never skip your meals. No matter how busy or depressed you are, never skip your meals, Have wholesome breakfast, a light lunch healthy snacks and a delicious dinner every single day.2.
Take a nap(小睡). If you are suffering from chronic fatigue and you have trouble surviving the afternoon, taking a nap (15-20 minutes) is a healthy wav.3. Or let your boss know that youneed to take a nap every afternoon due to health issue.
Give tea a try.4. However, since it has poor energy boosting properties, it is time to try something new. Earl Grey tea or black tea is a better option when it comes to energy-boosting drinks.
5. Taking a cold shower in the morning is an excellent way to wake yourself up and give yourself plenty of energy. However, if you have a weak immune system, this method is not for you. Drinking a glass of cold water as soon as you wake up is a safer way to pump your energy levels.
A. Choose ice water instead of a cold shower.
B. Increase your body’s oxygen.
C Coffee has always been a favorite morning drink for many people.
D. Ask your co-workers not to disturb you for 15 minutes.
E. Taking a deep breath and muscle-tensing exercise helps your enter a state of relaxation.
F. If your body doesn’t get enough nutrients, chronic fatigue is unavoidable.
G. Do not overload your brain with unnecessary stuff and avoid negative talks.
