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______.