If you want to increase your vocabulary, the best way to do it might be to pick up a guitar, or learn the violin. A new study shows that learning to play a musical instrument makes the brain more able to remember words.
“Grown-ups with music training in their childhood can have better memory for words,” said Dr Agnes Chan of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, who did the research. “They can remember things that you tell them better than those who did not have music training when they were young.”
It seems that one can remember spoken words because his brain has a special part. “That part of the brain is larger in musicians than in non-musicians,” Dr Chan told BBC. “If that part of the brain is larger, it may be better developed and so this explains very nicely our results.”
Dr Chan and her workmates came to their conclusion after studying students. Their research is reported in the latest edition of the journal(杂志) Nature. “We did the experiment with 60 girl college students from our university and 30 of them have at least six years training with one western musical instrument (such as the violin and the piano) before the age of 12. The other 30 had received no music training. We tested their memory by reading them some words and asking them to remember these words—a very common test for memory. We found that people who have had music training can remember about 70% more information than those who have not had any music training.”
Dr Chan thinks the process(过程) of learning is more important than the actual instrument used. She also believes if one is able to remember words through learning to play instruments, he or she could have some very real benefits. Dr Chan thinks this could be developed into a medical way for patients who are suffering from memory loss.
1. According to the writer, learning to play a musical instrument helps to ______.
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A．get more knowledge |
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B．live more happily |
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C．remember more words |
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D．make one become a musician |
2.Which of the following is true according to the passage?
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A．Dr Chan thinks people should have music training when they grow up. |
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B．Dr Chan thinks the special part of the brain doesn’t need developing. |
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C．Dr Chan thinks people should have music training when they are young. |
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D．Dr Chan thinks musicians have a larger brain than non-musicians. |
3.How many students took part in Dr Chan’s research?
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A．30 girl students. |
B．60 girl students. |
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C．17% of his students. |
D．60 girl and boy students. |
My Fellow Americans,
I have recently been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease (老年痴呆症).
Upon learning this news, Nancy & I had to decide whether as private citizens we would 36 this a private matter or we would make this news known in a 37 way.
In the past Nancy suffered from breast cancer 38 I had my cancer surgeries (外科手术). We found that after we told it to the public, we were able to 39 public awareness(意识). We were happy that 40 many more people went to have a test. They were treated in early stages and able to 41 to normal, healthy lives.
So now, we feel it is 42 to share it with you. In opening our hearts, we hope this might promote greater 43 of this condition. Perhaps it will encourage a clearer understanding of the individuals and families who are 44 by it.
At the moment I feel just fine. I’d 45 to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have 46 done. I will continue to share 47 journey with my beloved Nancy and my family. I plan to enjoy the great outdoors and stay in touch 48 my friends and supporters.
Unfortunately, as Alzheimer’s Disease 49 , the family often suffers a lot. I only wish there was some way I could spare Nancy from this 50 experience. When the time comes I am confident that with your help she will 51 it with faith and courage.
At last, let me thank you, the American people for giving me the great honor of 52 me to serve as your President. When the Lord calls me home, 53 that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and endless optimism (乐观) for its future.
I now begin this 54 that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright 55 ahead.
Thank you my friends. May God always bless you.
Sincerely,
Ronald Reagan
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The old man was so angry and spoke so fast that none of his children understood ____ he said meant.
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A．that, that |
B．what. what |
C．what |
D．that |
Listen to the two girls by the window. What language _____?
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A．did they speak |
B．were they speaking |
C．are they speaking |
D．have they been speaking |
.Mary takes great ____ in learning pop music.
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A．delight |
B．happy |
C．joy |
D．fond |
The computer system ____ suddenly while he was searching for information on the Internet.
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A．broke out |
B．broke down |
C．broke up |
D．broke in |
