You know that eating a suitable diet and getting plenty of exercise help make your body healthy and strong. But did you know that there are ways to make your brain healthier and smarter?
Studies show that when the brains is forced to do something new,
it creates new neural (神經(jīng)元) pathways. The more pathways you have, the faster you can think and the better memory you will have. Wonderful steps towards a smarter brain are as follows:
Choose proper TV programs
Watching an average TV show needs very little brain power and brings the same result as giving no care to physical exercise. Your brain will become weak just as your muscles do,if you watch TV, choose something educational and full of information.
Travel
Traveling to a new country forces you to see and do things in a new way, making your brains more active.
Learning a new language
A new language learner usually uses different learning methods. Learning a language sharpens your brain and helps you prevent memory problems in later years.
Master a new subject
Each week, choose an animal, a bird or a fish, and read everything you can about it. Go on learning unitl you become an expert on the subject.
Use your non-dominant hand
If you are right-handed,use your left hand for everyday activities, or use your right hand if you are left-handed. Doing familiar things in a new way will cause your brain to create new neural networks.
Read often
As you read, take the time to look up people or places that aren’t familiar. Reading can enlarge your vocabulary if you search for words and expressions that you don’t know.
Calculate while you shop
As you put things in your shopping bag, total everything in your head. See how close you get to the actual total.
Play video games
Studies have found that some video games force you to use critical decision-making skills and can even improve students’ math grades.
So get into the habit of challenging your brain, and make yourself smarter!
小題1:The passage can most probably be found in a _____book.
| A．history | B．travel | C．science | D．story |
小題2:.The underlined word “it” in the second paragraph refers to _________.
| A．the brain | B．the study |
| C．the neural pathway | D．something new |
小題3:.According to the passage,there are _____ ways to make your brain smartr besides traveling and reading often.
小題4:.While you are reading, you should _______.
| A．read as loudly as possible | B．look up something unfamiliar |
| C．read as quickly as you can | D．read from the beginning to the end |
小題5:.Which of the following statements is TRUE according to the passage?
Playing video games is bad for your study and your health.
Using calculators a lot can make you smarter when you are a child.
Watching something educational on TV needs very little brain power.
Writing with the right hand can make the left-handed smarter.
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I try to use public transportation whenever I can. I take the bus to college and walk home. When my mum wants to give me a lift, I always refuse, as I can get there quickly by bus. Also the buses in my town are electric so they are environmentally friendly!
Why not use two wheels? Any motorcycle will use less fuel (燃料)than an a car. You don’t get caught in traffic jams either. But in my opinion, the best thing is a bicycle. They don't produce any pollution and help you to keep fit at the same time. 
I can’t get to my university by bus or train. So I found three other girls who live nearby to have a car share with. And now we take it in turns to drive every day. I have cut down the costs —and most importantly, —I am helping the environment!