Challengingworkthatrequireslotsofanalyticalthinking,pla...

问题详情：

Challenging work that requires lots of analytical thinking, planning and other managerial skills might help your brain stay sharp as you age, a study published Wednesday in the journal Neurology suggests.

Researchers from the University of Leipzig in Germany gathered more than 1, 000 retired workers who were over age 75 and assessed the volunteers’ memory and thinking skills through a battery of tests. Then, for eight years, the scientists asked the same group to come back to the lab every 18 months to take the same sorts of tests.

Those who had held mentally stimulating(刺激), demanding jobs before retirement tended to do the best on the tests. And they tended to lose cognitive(认知) function at a much slower rate than those with the least mentally challenging jobs. The results held true even after the scientists accounted for the participants’ overall health status.

“This works just like physical exercise, ” says Francisca Then, who led the study. “After a long run, you may feel like you’re in pain, you may feel tired. But it makes you fit. After a long day at work-sure, you will feel tired, but it can help your brain stay healthy. ”

It's not just corporate jobs, or even paid work that can help keep your brain fit, Then points out. A waiter’s job, for example, that requires multitasking, teamwork and decision-making could be just as stimulating as any high-level office work. And “running a family household requires high-level planning and coordinating(协调), ” she says. “You have to organize the activities of the children and take care of the bills and groceries. ”

Of course, our brains can decline as we grow older for lots of reasons-including other environmental influences or genetic factors. Still, continuing to challenge yourself mentally and keeping your mind busy can only help.

28. Why did the scientists ask the volunteers to take the tests?

A. To assess their health status.                                      B. To evaluate their work habits.

C. To analyze their personality.                                      D. To measure their mental ability.

29. How does Francisca Then explain her findings in paragraph 4?

A. By using an expert’s words.                                      B. By making a comparison.

C. By referring to another study.                                   D. By introducing a concept.

30. Which of the following is the best title for the text?

A. Retired Workers Can Pick Up New Skills

B. Old People Should Take Challenging Jobs

C. Your Tough Job Might Help Keep You Sharp

D. Cognitive Function May Decline As You Age

【回答】

28. D    29. B    30. C

【解析】

这是一篇说明文。《神经病学》杂志发布的一则研究显示，需要大量的分析思考、细致规划和其他管理技能有挑战*的工作，有可能会帮助你的大脑随着年龄的增长而保持敏锐。

【28题详解】

细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“Researchers from the University of Leipzig in Germany gathered more than 1,000 retired workers who were over age 75 and assessed the volunteers’ memory and thinking skills through a battery of tests.(来自德国莱比锡大学的研究人员召集了1000多名75岁以上的退休老人，并通过一系列的测试对他们的记忆力和思维能力进行了评估。)”可知，科学家让志愿者做测试是为了测试他们的心智能力。故选D项。

【29题详解】

推理判断题。根据第四段中Francisca Then说的话“This works just like physical exercise,( 这就像体育锻炼一样有效。)”及接下来进一步的解释“长跑后人就会感到痛苦和疲惫，但它确实能强身健体。工作一天下来会感到劳累，但这也使你的大脑处于健康状态”可知，Francisca Then是通过与“身体锻炼”作比较来解释他的发现的。故选B项。

【30题详解】

主旨大意题。第一段“Challenging work that requires lots of analytical thinking, planning and other managerial skills might help your brain stay sharp as you age(需要大量的分析思考、细致规划和其他管理技能有挑战*的工作，有可能会帮助你的大脑随着年龄的增长而保持敏锐。)”是本文的主题句，结合全文内容可知，文章主要讲述了有挑战*的工作可能会使大脑保持敏捷，所以C项“困难的工作可能有助于大脑保持敏捷”适合作本文标题。故选C项。

知识点：人生百味类阅读

题型：阅读理解