Question

Have you ever heard that we humans use only ten percent of our brains? This opinion holds a certain appeal because if it were true, then we could instantly become ten times more intelligent just by firing up that sleepy majority of the brain!

The idea that we use only a small part of the brain dates back to animal experiments in the 19th century. When scientists stimulated (刺激) a specific part of the brain,  the animal moved its leg or tail. If a tiny part of the brain could do something so great, what was the use of the rest of the brain? Some scientists assumed that large parts of the brain were simply useless.

Then, in the early 20th century, scientists observed that stimulating certain parts of the brain had no physical effects. They named these seemingly useless parts of the brain the “silent cortex.” Today we know that in humans, much of the “silent cortex” is actually devoted to complex activities like language, learning, and imagining.

Brain scans have shown that different parts of the brain become much more active as we shift (切换) our attention and focus, but even as we sleep, many areas of the brain are extremely active. Would you be smarter if your entire brain constantly worked to maximum capacity (能力)? Interestingly enough, the opposite is probably true. The less brain activity you need to perform a given task, the more the brain as a whole is able to do.

1.Why does the opinion mentioned in paragraph l seem appealing?

A. People wish to become much smarter.

B. People believe it is scientific.

C. People know nothing about the brain.

D. People want to make little use of their brain.

2.What did scientists discover in their experiment in the 20th century?

A. The majority of the brain is sleeping.

B. Animals’ legs and tails have some connection with their brain.

C. Stimulation on some parts of the brain causes no physical reaction.

D. Certain parts of the brain are devoted to language and learning activities.

3.“Silent cortex” has proved to be______.

A. sensitive to stimulation

B. useful in complex activities

C. responsible for physical reaction

D. more active than the other parts of the brain

4.If you need less brain activity to perform a task, _______.

A. you will feel sleepy

B. you must shift your focus

C. you can use your brain to the fullest

D. you will be more productive

Answer

1.A

2.C

3.B

4.D

【解析】

试题分析：本文属于科普说明文，科学研究发现人脑中有百分之九十没有被使用，如果我们把这部分的作用开放出来，我们会更加聪明。同时还介绍了与之相关的其他一些研究成果。

1.A 细节理解题。根据文章第一段第二句This opinion holds a certain appeal because if it were true, then we could instantly become ten times more intelligent just by firing up that sleepy majority of the brain!可知如果我们只使用了大脑的百分之十，还有百分之九十的大脑没有被使用。说明如果人们把其余的百分之九十都利用好，我们会更加聪明。故A正确。

2.C 细节理解题。根据文章第三段第一句Then, in the early 20th century, scientists observed that stimulating certain parts of the brain had no physical effects.可知20世纪的研究发现，刺激大脑的部分区域并不会带来身体反应。故C项正确。

3.B 细节理解题。根据第三段最后一句Today we know that in humans, much of the “silent cortex” is actually devoted to complex activities like language, learning, and imagining.现在的研究发现人脑中的“silent cortex”是与人类的复杂行为，如语言、学习和想象有关的。在这些复杂的活动中，这些不应区是非常有用的。故B正确。

4.

考点：考查说明文阅读