If English means endless new words, difficult grammar and sometimes strange pronunciation, you are wrong. Haven’t you noticed that you have become smarter since you started to learn a language?

According to a new study by a British university, learning a second language can lead to an increase in your brain power. Researchers found that learning other languages changes grey matter. This is the area of the brain which processes information. It is similar to the way that exercise builds muscles.

The study also found the effect is greater, the younger people learn a second language.

A team led by Dr. Andrea Mechelli, from University College London, took a group of Britons who only spoke English. They were compared with a group of “early bilinguals” who had learnt a second language before the age of five, as well as a number of later learners.

Scans showed that grey matter density(密度)in the brain was greater in bilinguals than in people without a second language. But the longer a person waited before mastering a new language, the smaller the difference.

“Our findings suggest that the structure of the brain is changed by the experience of learning a second language,” said the scientists.

It means that the change itself increases the ability to learn.

Professor Dylan Vaughan Jones of the University of Wales，has researched the link between bilingualism and math skills.“Having two languages gives you two windows on the world and makes the brain more flexible，”he said.“You are actually going beyond language and have a better understanding of different ideas.”

The findings were matched in a study of native Italian speakers who had learned English as a second language between the ages of 2 and 34.Reading，writing, and comprehension were all tested. The results showed that the younger they started to learn, the better.“Studying a language means you get an entrance to another world,” explained the scientists.

B-25．The main subject talked about in this passage is________.

A
science on learning a second language

B
man’s ability of learning a second language

C
language can help brain power

D
language learning and math study

正确答案：C学生答案：C
老师点评：
答案解析：
主旨大意题。作者在本文第一段提出本文的主题，然后下文围绕这一主题进行深入地阐述，即“语言学习可以提高你的智力”。

题型：单选题客观题分值2分难度：中等得分：2
26
阅读B-25题干中Passage Three材料，完成本题。

B-26．In the second paragraph, the writer mentions “exercise” in order to________.

A
say language is also a kind of physical labor

B
prove that one needs more practice when he(she) is learning a language

C
to show the importance of using the language when you learn the language

D
make people believe language learning helps grey matter work well

正确答案：D学生答案：D
老师点评：
答案解析：
推理判断题。作者把语言学习对大脑的促进作用比作体育锻炼能促进肌肉健全的促进作用，目的是为了说明语言学习对大脑的促进有类似的作用。

题型：单选题客观题分值2分难度：中等得分：2
27
阅读B-25题干中Passage Three材料，完成本题。

B-27．In the last two paragraphs, the author wants to tell us that ________.

A
learning a second language is the same as studying maths

B
early learning of a second language helps you a great deal in study other subjects

C
Italian is the best choice for you as a second language

D
you’d better choose the ages between 2 and 34 to learn a second language

正确答案：B学生答案：B
老师点评：
答案解析：
主旨大意题。作者在最后两段继续阐述其中心论点：即外语的学习宜早不宜迟。





题型：单选题客观题分值2分难度：一般得分：2
28
B-28到B-30阅读Passage Four。短文后有3个问题，请从A、B、C、D四个选项中选出可以填入空白处的最佳选项。

Passage Four

Every day we go to school and listen to the teacher, and the teacher will ask us some questions. Sometimes, the classmates will ask your opinions of the work of the class. When you are telling others in the class what you have found out about these topics, remember that they must be able to hear what you are saying. You are not taking part in a family conversation or having a chat（闲谈）with friends—you are in a slightly unnatural situation where a large group of people will remain silent, waiting to hear what you have to say. You must speak so that they can hear you—loudly enough and clearly enough but without trying to shout of appearing to force yourself.

Remember, too, that it is the same if you are called to an interview whether it is with a professor of your school or a government official who might meet you. The person you are seeing will try to put you at your ease（轻松）but the situation is somewhat（一点儿）different from that of an ordinary conversation. You must take special care that you can be heard.

B-28. The situation in the class is ________ that in your house.

A
not very different from

B
sometimes the same as

C
sometimes not the same as

D
not the same as

正确答案：D学生答案：D
老师点评：
答案解析：
事实判断题。文章第一段告诉我们：在班上讲话不同于在家中谈话或闲聊，当有一大群人安静下来，等待你的讲话时，你会感到有点不自然，由此可见，D项为最佳选项。

题型：单选题客观题分值2分难度：一般得分：2
29
阅读B-28题干中Passage Four材料，完成本题。

B-29. If you are having a conversation with an official, the most important thing for you is _______.

A
to show your ability

B
to be very gentle

C
to make sure that you can be heard

D
to put the official at ease

正确答案：C学生答案：C
老师点评：
答案解析：
细节理解题。文章最后一句：You must take special care that you can be heard.你应特别注意你会被别人听到。很清楚地交代了答案应选C项。这里take special care意为“特别注意，特别重视”。



题型：单选题客观题分值2分难度：一般得分：2
30
阅读B-28题干中Passage Four材料，完成本题。

B-30. The main idea of this passage is _____.

A
that we must use different ways at different situations

B
that we must speak loudly

C
that we must keep silent at any time

D
that we must talk with the class

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