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……萎缩) 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)(前扣带皮质). 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】

试题分析：本文主要讲了多任务通过影响人类大脑灰质的密度，从而影响着人类的日常生活。通过多任务所带来的负面影响，阐释了文章主旨：多任务能够使大脑萎缩。

1. shrinks(使……萎缩) the brain, research suggests.”知道研究表明：多任务能够使人的大脑萎缩。从第二段“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，经常同时使用多种类型的技术的男性或女性在大脑的关键部分有较少的灰质。综合这两点可以推断出"simultaneously"的意思，故选C。

2. finding follows research which has linked multi-tasking with a shortened attention span, depression, anxiety and lower grades at school.”可以看出多任务已经和学生在学校缩短的注意力，抑郁，焦虑，成绩低下等联系在一起了，文中并没有提到节省时间。故选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.”可以看出一些训练，比如说学习魔术或者出租车司机学习伦敦地图，能够增加大脑某个区域灰质密度。故选C。

4.

5.

考点：考查社会现象类阅读。