If those "mad moments"—when you can't recall what your friend has told you or where you left your keys—are becoming more frequent, mental exercises and a healthy brain diet may help.
Just as bodies require more maintenance with the passing years, so do brains, which scientists now know show signs of aging as early as the 20 s and 30 s. " Brain aging starts at a very young age, younger than any of us have imagined and these processes continue gradually over the years," said Dr. Gary Small, the director of the Center on Aging at the University of California, Los Angeles. "I'm convinced that it is never too early to get started on a mental or brain-fitness program ," he added.
In his book, "The Memory Bible," the 51-year-old neuroscientist lists what he refers to as the 10 commandments for keeping the brain young. They include training memory, building skills, minimizing stress, mental exercises, brain food and a healthy lifestyle. It's a game plan for keeping brain cells sparking and neural networks in tip-top shape.
"Misplacing your keys a couple of times doesn't mean you should start labeling your cabinets. Memory loss is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Our brains can fight back," he said.
Small provides the weapons for a full-scale attack. According to him, simple memory tests give an indication of what you are up against and tools such as look, snap and connect are designed to make sure that important things such as names and dates are never forgotten. " So if you want to learn names and faces, for example, you meet Mrs. Beatty and you notice a distinguishing facial feature, maybe a prominent eyebrow," said Small. " You associate the first thing that comes to mind. I think of the actor Warren Beatty so I create a mental snapshot of Warren Beatty kissing her brow. "
Small admits it may sound a bit strange but he says it works. "Mental exercises could be anything from doing crossword puzzles and writing with your left hand if you are right handed or learning a language. It could be anything that is fun that people enjoy doing" , he added.
He also recommends physical exercise, a low-fat diet and eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, walnuts and Brazil nuts, and fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants(抗氧化剂)including blueberries and onions in addition to reducing stress.
单选题 In this passage, the author mainly tells us that______.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】主旨大意题。本文主要介绍了人脑老化现象和健脑的方法。故选B。
单选题 According to this passage, ______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】推理题。根据第五段第一句“Small provides the weapons for a full—scale attack.”可知,斯摩博士为我们提供了全面反击大脑老化的武器。再根据第六段第一句“Small admits itmay sound a bit strange but he says it works.”可知,斯摩博士承认这些练习听上去有些奇怪,但确实起作用。故选C。
单选题 In the fifth paragraph, the author mainly______.
【正确答案】 B
【答案解析】细节题。第五段作者通过举例介绍了一些减缓记忆丧失的方法,如观察、快速记忆以及联想(look,snap and connect)等。故选B。
单选题 By saying "I think of the actor Warren Beatty so I create...her brow"(Paragraph 5), Dr. Small is trying to explain how to use the memory tool of______.
【正确答案】 C
【答案解析】细节题。第五段第三句开始作者引用斯摩博士的话说:“假如你想记住一个人的名字和他的长相,你就应该把你头脑中的第一印象与其他事物联系起来记忆。后面通过将比提夫人脸上突出特征与其他事物相联系的方式来记忆比提夫人的长相,这是通过联系来记忆,故选C。
单选题 According to Dr. Small, ______.
【正确答案】 D
【答案解析】推断题。在最后一段斯摩博士还建议要多进行体育锻炼,多吃些低脂肪但富含omega-3脂肪酸的食品,比如鱼类、核桃、巴西坚果以及含抗氧化剂较高的蔬菜和水果如蓝莓和洋葱等,此外还要进行减压。这些方法综合应用才能阻止大脑衰老,故选D。