Scientists once believed that your mental abilities were fixed in adulthood. Since studies have shown just the opposite, millions of people around the world have adopted the new practice of brain training. The most popular of these brain training products is made by the San Francisco-based Lumosity. Lumosity’s scientists with an experienced team of game designers have developed a fun，effective online brain training program that measures, tracks, and adapts to your progress, so you’ll always be challenged.
Promising studies on the effects of brain training
In a 2013 Stanford study, a treatment group of 21 breast cancer survivors used 12 weeks of Lumosity training to work on processing speed, mental flexibility, and working memory tasks. On average, those who trained improved on tests of these abilities, compared to a group that did not train with Lumosity.
There is even some evidence suggesting that Lumosity may be beneficial to normal, healthy adults. In a 2011 study by Lumosity and San Francisco State University researchers. 13 people who trained over 5 weeks improved working memory scores by 10％and attention scores by 20％.
Brain training is designed to meet real-life needs
The design of brain training is targeted at real-life benefits instead of improving game scores. Better attention, for example, can mean greater focus in the classroom or at an important business meeting. With improved processing speed, you might react and adapt faster to the demands of a busy life. And a better memory could mean stronger, longer relationships with the people closest to you.
21. We can learn from the passage that _________.
A. brain training speeds up the recovery of breast cancer
B. your brain is like a muscle because it gives you power
C. people’s mental abilities can’t develop after they grow up
D. Lumosity can measure, track and suit your level as you improve
22. Which skill may brain training not improve?
A. Better attention. C. Better writing skills. B. A better memory. D. Higher processing speed.
23. What can we infer from the passage?
A. People should care more about physical health instead of mental health.
B. Brain training has been proved effective through scientific researches.
C. A bad memory is the only reason for weak relationships with people.
D. Playing online games is the best way of brain training.
24. What’s the best title for the passage?
A. Brain Training Makes a Difference B. Train Your Brain like a Muscle
C. Lumosity, Your Best Choice D. How to Train Your Brain
B
The word I’m going to introduce to you today is-phubbing. Let’s see the definition of this term: phubbing n. the act of snubbing(冷落)someone in a social setting by looking at your cell phone instead of paying attention
As you can probably guess, phubbing is a blend of phone and snubbing. The term was coined by a 23-year-old Melbourne resident Alex Haigh. Obviously, he got fed up with how people are always checking Facebook or Twitter on their phones when they are supposed to be interacting with someone face to face. He wanted to put an end to this social phenomenon, therefore he came up with this catchy term.
And it did catch on. The word’s earliest media mention dates back to June 2012, and in a little