____ making decisions, the human brain cannot...

____ making decisions,　 the human brain cannot be compared with　 the computer because in the long process of evolution the slow pace of life didn't require such an ability of the human brain.

A. On behalf of　　 B. In contrast to

C. In salute to　　 D. In terms of

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析

Scientists have exactly discovered the set of brain cells involved in making risky decisions, and have been able to control them in rats using targeted light. By changing the activity of the cells they were able to change the behaviour of risk-taking rats to avoid risk, hinting the approach could in future be used to treat people with impulse (冲动) control problems.

Risk-taking is a key part of survival, knowing when to take a chance could pay off—such as moving to a new area to look for food when pickings are slim.

While all animals need an element of risk, the preference towards it varies between individuals. Researchers found this variation, which determines how risk-averse an individual is, is regulated by brain cells in a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. This cluster of neurons releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which regulates the brain’s reward and pleasure centres.

Previous studies have shown that in patients with Parkinson’s disease, taking medication which blocks specific dopamine receptors (DR2) (受体) leads to increased gambling (赌博) behaviour and risk taking behaviour. In studies with rats, researchers were able to use a technique called optogenetics (光遗传学)—which uses light sensitive proteins to change the activity of cells—to modify cells with DR2 in the nucleus accumbens.

Rats were trained to choose one of two levers, offering them a choice between a “safe” or “risky” choice. The safe option resulted in a small, but consistent amount of a sugar water treat. But the risky choice consistently delivered smaller amounts of sugar water, with the occasional large pay off—essentially encouraging the animals to gamble for a bigger prize. Around two-thirds of the animals weren’t keen on risk, opting for the safe option, but the remaining third were risk-seekers. Brain scans of the animals showed that those with low levels of DR2 consistently went for the gamble.

But using pulses of light to stimulate (刺激) the DR2 cells and improve their activity could cause the risk-takers to play it safe and opt for the guaranteed but less rewarding option. Once the light-pulses stopped, the risk-takers returned to their gambling strategy.

In the risk-averse animals, stimulating the same cells had little to no effect.

Professor Karl Deisseroth, of Stanford University in California, said: “Humans and rats have similar brain structures involved.”And we found a drug known to increase risk preference in people had the same effect on the rats. So every indication is that these findings are relevant to humans. “Risky behavior has its moments where it’ s valuable. As a species, we wouldn’t have come as far as we have without it.”

1.The variation in people’s preference towards risks is directly regulated by ________.

A. nucleus accumbens　　　 B. light sensitive proteins

C. neurons　　　 　　　　　　 D. dopamine

2.From the experiment with rats, we can conclude that ________.

A. the lack of DR2 cells results in a safe option

B. the levels of DR2 have little to do with their choices

C. the high levels of DR2 can make animals avoid risks

D. the risky choice is a less rewarding option

3.The underlined words in Paragraph 7 most likely mean the animals that are ________.

A. willing to take big risks

B. reluctant to take risks

C. fond of gambling strategy

D. afraid of receiving stimulation

4.What can be inferred from what Professor Karl Deisseroth said?

A. Humans and rats differ in their preference for risk-taking.

B. Too much risk-taking can do more harm than good.

C. Risk-taking can be used to treat people with impulse control problems.

D. Risk-taking is a means of survival and brings higher returns to humans.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Scientists have exactly discovered the set of brain cells involved in making risky decisions, and have been able to control them in rats using targeted light. By changing the activity of the cells they were able to change the behaviour of risk-taking rats to avoid risk, hinting the approach could in future be used to treat people with impulse (冲动) control problems.

Risk-taking is a key part of survival, knowing when to take a chance could pay off—such as moving to a new area to look for food when pickings are slim.

While all animals need an element of risk, the preference towards it varies between individuals. Researchers found this variation, which determines how risk-averse an individual is, is regulated by brain cells in a region of the brain called the nucleus accumbens. This cluster of neurons releases the neurotransmitter dopamine, which regulates the brain’s reward and pleasure centres.

Previous studies have shown that in patients with Parkinson’s disease, taking medication which blocks specific dopamine receptors (DR2) (受体) leads to increased gambling (赌博) behaviour and risk taking behaviour. In studies with rats, researchers were able to use a technique called optogenetics (光遗传学)—which uses light sensitive proteins to change the activity of cells—to modify cells with DR2 in the nucleus accumbens.

Rats were trained to choose one of two levers, offering them a choice between a “safe” or “risky” choice. The safe option resulted in a small, but consistent amount of a sugar water treat. But the risky choice consistently delivered smaller amounts of sugar water, with the occasional large pay off—essentially encouraging the animals to gamble for a bigger prize. Around two-thirds of the animals weren’t keen on risk, opting for the safe option, but the remaining third were risk-seekers. Brain scans of the animals showed that those with low levels of DR2 consistently went for the gamble.

But using pulses of light to stimulate (刺激) the DR2 cells and improve their activity could cause the risk-takers to play it safe and opt for the guaranteed but less rewarding option. Once the light-pulses stopped, the risk-takers returned to their gambling strategy.

In the risk-averse animals, stimulating the same cells had little to no effect.

Professor Karl Deisseroth, of Stanford University in California, said: “Humans and rats have similar brain structures involved.”And we found a drug known to increase risk preference in people had the same effect on the rats. So every indication is that these findings are relevant to humans. “Risky behavior has its moments where it’ s valuable. As a species, we wouldn’t have come as far as we have without it.”

1.The variation in people’s preference towards risks is directly regulated by ________.

A. nucleus accumbens　　　 B. light sensitive proteins

C. neurons　　　 　　　　　　 D. dopamine

2.From the experiment with rats, we can conclude that ________.

A. the lack of DR2 cells results in a safe option

B. the levels of DR2 have little to do with their choices

C. the high levels of DR2 can make animals avoid risks

D. the risky choice is a less rewarding option

3.The underlined words in Paragraph 7 most likely mean the animals that are ________.

A. willing to take big risks

B. reluctant to take risks

C. fond of gambling strategy

D. afraid of receiving stimulation

4.What can be inferred from what Professor Karl Deisseroth said?

A. Humans and rats differ in their preference for risk-taking.

B. Too much risk-taking can do more harm than good.

C. Risk-taking can be used to treat people with impulse control problems.

D. Risk-taking is a means of survival and brings higher returns to humans.

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Exercise seems to be good for the human brain，with many recent studies suggesting that regular exercise improves memory and thinking skills．But an interesting new study asks whether the apparent cognitive benefits from exercise are real or just a placebo effect — that is，if we think we will be “smarter” after exercise，do our brains respond accordingly？The answer has significant implications for any of us hoping to use exercise to keep our minds sharp throughout our lives．

While many studies suggest that exercise may have cognitive benefits，recently some scientists have begun to question whether the apparently beneficial effects of exercise on thinking might be a placebo effect．So researchers at Florida State University in Tallahassee and the University of Illinois at Urbana　　　　 Champaign decided to focus on expectations，on what people anticipate that exercise will do for thinking．If people’s expectations jibe (吻合) closely with the actual benefits，then at least some of those improvements are probably a result of the placebo effect and not of exercise．

For the new study，which was published last month in PLOS One，the researchers recruited 171 people through an online survey system，they asked half of these volunteers to estimate by how much a stretching and toning regimens (拉伸运动) performed three times a week might improve various measures of thinking．The other volunteers were asked the same questions，but about a regular walking program．

In actual experiments，stretching and toning program generally have little if any impact on people’s cognitive skills．Walking，on the other hand，seems to substantially improve thinking ability．

But the survey respondents believed the opposite，estimating that the stretching and toning program would be more beneficial for the mind than walking．The estimates of benefits from walking were lower．

These data，while they do not involve any actual exercise，are good news for people who do exercise．“The results from our study suggest that the benefits of aerobic exercise are not a placebo effect,” said Cary Stothart，a graduate student in cognitive psychology at Florida State University，who led the study．

If expectations had been driving the improvements in cognition seen in studies after exercise，Mr．Stothart said，then people should have expected walking to be more beneficial for thinking than stretching．They didn’t，implying that the changes in the brain and thinking after exercise are physiologically genuine．

The findings are strong enough to suggest that exercise really does change the brain and may，in the process，improve thinking，Mr．Stothart said．That conclusion should encourage scientists to look even more closely into how，at a molecular level，exercise remodels the human brain，he said．It also should encourage the rest of us to move，since the benefits are，it seems，not imaginary，even if they are in our head．

1.Which of the following about the placebo effect is TRUE according to the passage？

A．It occurs during exercise．

B．It has cognitive benefits．

C．It is just a mental reaction．

D．It is a physiological response．

2.Why did the researchers at the two universities conduct the research？

A．To discover the placebo effect in the exercise．

B．To prove the previous studies have a big drawback．

C．To test whether exercise can really improve cognition．

D．To encourage more scientists to get involved in the research．

3.What can we know about the research Cary Stothart and his team carried out？

A．They employed 171 people to take part in the actual exercise．

B．The result of the research removed the recent doubt of some scientists．

C．The participants thought walking had a greater impact on thinking ability．

D．Their conclusion drives scientists to do research on the placebo effect．

4.What might be the best title for the passage？

A．Is it necessary for us to take exercise？

B．How should people exercise properly？

C．What makes us smarter during exercise？

D．Does exercise really make us smarter？

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Exercise seems to be good for the human brain，with many recent studies suggesting that regular exercise improves memory and thinking skills．But an interesting new study asks whether the apparent cognitive benefits from exercise are real or just a placebo effect — that is，if we think we will be “smarter” after exercise，do our brains respond accordingly？The answer has significant implications for any of us hoping to use exercise to keep our minds sharp throughout our lives．

While many studies suggest that exercise may have cognitive benefits，recently some scientists have begun to question whether the apparently beneficial effects of exercise on thinking might be a placebo effect．So researchers at Florida State University in Tallahassee and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign decided to focus on expectations，on what people anticipate that exercise will do for thinking．If people’s expectations jibe (吻合) closely with the actual benefits，then at least some of those improvements are probably a result of the placebo effect and not of exercise．

For the new study，which was published last month in PLOS One，the researchers recruited 171 people through an online survey system，they asked half of these volunteers to estimate by how much a stretching and toning regimens (拉伸运动) performed three times a week might improve various measures of thinking．The other volunteers were asked the same questions，but about a regular walking program．

In actual experiments，stretching and toning program generally have little if any impact on people’s cognitive skills．Walking，on the other hand，seems to substantially improve thinking ability．

But the survey respondents believed the opposite，estimating that the stretching and toning program would be more beneficial for the mind than walking．The estimates of benefits from walking were lower．

These data，while they do not involve any actual exercise，are good news for people who do exercise．“The results from our study suggest that the benefits of aerobic exercise are not a placebo effect,” said Cary Stothart，a graduate student in cognitive psychology at Florida State University，who led the study．

If expectations had been driving the improvements in cognition seen in studies after exercise，Mr．Stothart said，then people should have expected walking to be more beneficial for thinking than stretching．They didn’t，implying that the changes in the brain and thinking after exercise are physiologically genuine．

The findings are strong enough to suggest that exercise really does change the brain and may，in the process，improve thinking，Mr．Stothart said． That conclusion should encourage scientists to look even more closely into how，at a molecular level，exercise remodels the human brain，he said． It also should encourage the rest of us to move，since the benefits are，it seems，not imaginary，even if they are in our head．

1.Which of the following about the placebo effect is TRUE according to the passage？

A． It occurs during exercise．

B． It has cognitive benefits．

C． It is just a mental reaction．

D． It is a physiological response．

2.Why did the researchers at the two universities conduct the research？

A． To discover the placebo effect in the exercise．

B． To prove the previous studies have a big drawback．

C． To test whether exercise can really improve cognition．

D． To encourage more scientists to get involved in the research．

3.What can we know about the research Cary Stothart and his team carried out？

A． They employed 171 people to take part in the actual exercise．

B． The result of the research removed the recent doubt of some scientists．

C． The participants thought walking had a greater impact on thinking ability．

D． Their conclusion drives scientists to do research on the placebo effect．

4.What might be the best title for the passage？

A． Is it necessary for us to take exercise？

B． How should people exercise properly？

C． What makes us smarter during exercise？

D． Does exercise really make us smarter？

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Exercise seems to be good for the human brain，with many recent studies suggesting that regular exercise improves memory and thinking skills．But an interesting new study asks whether the apparent cognitive benefits from exercise are real or just a placebo effect — that is，if we think we will be “smarter” after exercise，do our brains respond accordingly？The answer has significant implications for any of us hoping to use exercise to keep our minds sharp throughout our lives．
While many studies suggest that exercise may have cognitive benefits，recently some scientists have begun to question whether the apparently beneficial effects of exercise on thinking might be a placebo effect．So researchers at Florida State University in Tallahassee and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign decided to focus on expectations，on what people anticipate that exercise will do for thinking．If people’s expectations jibe (吻合) closely with the actual benefits，then at least some of those improvements are probably a result of the placebo effect and not of exercise．
For the new study，which was published last month in PLOS One，the researchers recruited 171 people through an online survey system，they asked half of these volunteers to estimate by how much a stretching and toning regimens (拉伸运动) performed three times a week might improve various measures of thinking．The other volunteers were asked the same questions，but about a regular walking program．
In actual experiments，stretching and toning program generally have little if any impact on people’s cognitive skills．Walking，on the other hand，seems to substantially improve thinking ability．
But the survey respondents believed the opposite，estimating that the stretching and toning program would be more beneficial for the mind than walking．The estimates of benefits from walking were lower．
These data，while they do not involve any actual exercise，are good news for people who do exercise．“The results from our study suggest that the benefits of aerobic exercise are not a placebo effect,” said Cary Stothart，a graduate student in cognitive psychology at Florida State University，who led the study．
If expectations had been driving the improvements in cognition seen in studies after exercise，Mr．Stothart said，then people should have expected walking to be more beneficial for thinking than stretching．They didn’t，implying that the changes in the brain and thinking after exercise are physiologically genuine．
The findings are strong enough to suggest that exercise really does change the brain and may，in the process，improve thinking，Mr．Stothart said． That conclusion should encourage scientists to look even more closely into how，at a molecular level，exercise remodels the human brain，he said． It also should encourage the rest of us to move，since the benefits are，it seems，not imaginary，even if they are in our head．
1.Which of the following about the placebo effect is TRUE according to the passage？
A． It occurs during exercise．
B． It has cognitive benefits．
C． It is just a mental reaction．
D． It is a physiological response．
2.Why did the researchers at the two universities conduct the research？
A． To discover the placebo effect in the exercise．
B． To prove the previous studies have a big drawback．
C． To test whether exercise can really improve cognition．
D． To encourage more scientists to get involved in the research．
3.What can we know about the research Cary Stothart and his team carried out？
A． They employed 171 people to take part in the actual exercise．
B． The result of the research removed the recent doubt of some scientists．
C． The participants thought walking had a greater impact on thinking ability．
D． Their conclusion drives scientists to do research on the placebo effect．
4.What might be the best title for the passage？
A． Is it necessary for us to take exercise？
B． How should people exercise properly？
C． What makes us smarter during exercise？
D． Does exercise really make us smarter？

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

Exercise seems to be good for the human brain, with many recent studies suggesting that regular exercise improves memory and thinking skills. But an interesting new study asks whether the apparent cognitive benefits from exercise are real or just a placebo effect — that is, if we think we will be “smarter” after exercise, do our brains respond accordingly? The answer has significant implications for any of us hoping to use exercise to keep our minds sharp throughout our lives.

While many studies suggest that exercise may have cognitive benefits, recently some scientists have begun to question whether the apparently beneficial effects of exercise on thinking might be a placebo effect. So researchers at Florida State University in Tallahassee and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign decided to focus on expectations, on what people anticipate that exercise will do for thinking. If people’s expectations jibe (吻合) closely with the actual benefits, then at least some of those improvements are probably a result of the placebo effect and not of exercise.

For the new study, which was published last month in PLOS One, the researchers recruited 171 people through an online survey system, they asked half of these volunteers to estimate by how much a stretching and toning regimens (拉伸运动) performed three times a week might improve various measures of thinking. The other volunteers were asked the same questions, but about a regular walking program.

In actual experiments, stretching and toning program generally have little if any impact on people’s cognitive skills. Walking, on the other hand, seems to substantially improve thinking ability.

But the survey respondents believed the opposite, estimating that the stretching and toning program would be more beneficial for the mind than walking. The estimates of benefits from walking were lower.

These data, while they do not involve any actual exercise, are good news for people who do exercise. “The results from our study suggest that the benefits of aerobic exercise are not a placebo effect,” said Cary Stothart, a graduate student in cognitive psychology at Florida State University, who led the study.

If expectations had been driving the improvements in cognition seen in studies after exercise, Mr. Stothart said, then people should have expected walking to be more beneficial for thinking than stretching. They didn’t, implying that the changes in the brain and thinking after exercise are physiologically genuine.

The findings are strong enough to suggest that exercise really does change the brain and may, in the process, improve thinking, Mr. Stothart said. That conclusion should encourage scientists to look even more closely into how, at a molecular level, exercise remodels the human brain, he said. It also should encourage the rest of us to move, since the benefits are, it seems, not imaginary, even if they are in our head.

1.Which of the following about the placebo effect is TRUE according to the passage?

A. It occurs during exercise.

B. It has cognitive benefits.

C. It is just a mental reaction.

D. It is a physiological response.

2.Why did the researchers at the two universities conduct the research?

A. To discover the placebo effect in the exercise.

B. To prove the previous studies have a big drawback.

C. To test whether exercise can really improve cognition.

D. To encourage more scientists to get involved in the research.

3.What can we know about the research Cary Stothart and his team carried out?

A. They employed 171 people to take part in the actual exercise.

B. The result of the research removed the recent doubt of some scientists.

C. The participants thought walking had a greater impact on thinking ability.

D. Their conclusion drives scientists to do research on the placebo effect.

4.What might be the best title for the passage?

A. Is it necessary for us to take exercise?

B. How should people exercise properly?

C. What makes us smarter during exercise?

D. Does exercise really make us smarter?

高三英语阅读理解中等难度题查看答案及解析

(2014·江西六校高三联考)The decision about which college to go to cannot be made by any one of us________yourself.

A．more than　    B．other than

C．rather than　    D．better than

高三英语单项填空简单题查看答案及解析

Children make quicker decisions to eat “tasty” food and reward centres in their brains light up after watching food commercials on television, compared to non­food commercials, a small study finds.

The researchers studied 23 children aged 8 to 14 who gave taste and health ratings for 60 food items. Afterwards, kids chose whether to “eat” or “not eat” each food item—without actually eating them—while undergoing brain scans. The scans measure changes in blood flow within the brain, which is thought to reflect the activity of brain cells.

While the kids were making their decisions, they were periodically shown TV commercials, some for fast food outlets and some for non­food businesses. Each set of commercials was followed by a set of 10 food choices.

In general, kids did not choose foods based on their health ratings and chose based on taste. But after watching a food commercial, taste seemed even more important to them and they made their choices faster. The area of the brain involved in reward valuation was more active during food decisions after watching food­related commercials than after non­food commercials.

“What we know from studies like this one is that food marketing has effects that go beyond simply increasing our liking or wanting of the product being advertised and actually affect our preferences for all foods in that category，” said Emma Boyland of the University of Liverpool.

“Parents should be aware of these results so that they can put limits on screen time that involves food advertising，” Bruce said. “They should also discuss with children the importance of thinking about commercials properly.” “But commercials are almost everywhere—television, online, radio, clothing. As adults, we have to work to teach children that a real healthy diet to support a full and active life contains very little of the food they see advertised，”Boyland said.

1.What were the children asked to do in the research?

A. Select favourite commercials.　　 B. Decide whether to eat or not to eat.

C. Observe the activity of brain cells.　　 D. List health ratings for some foods.

2.What happened to the children after watching food commercials?

A. The reward centres in their brains acted actively.

B. They made food choices based on health ratings.

C. They confused taste rating with health rating of the foods.

D. They had a good command of the methods to choose foods.

3.What can we infer from Boyland's words?

A. Food marketing should be strictly controlled.

B. It's hard to stop kids being exposed to food advertising.

C. Parents should forbid children to watch food commercials.

D. Children should be warned not to eat the advertised foods.

4.What is mainly talked about in the passage?

A. Children make decisions quickly when watching commercials.

B. Children's bad eating habits are mainly caused by food commercials.

C. Parents are concerned about the effect of food advertisements on kids.

D. Food advertisements can have a great effect on children's eating habits.

高三英语阅读理解困难题查看答案及解析

Scientists study ____ human brains work to make computers.

A. when　　　　　　　　　 B. how　　　　　　　　　　 C. that　　　　　　　 D. whether

高三英语单项填空中等难度题查看答案及解析