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For an old person, his brain may perform not so well as before. But a new study suggests that some parts of brain may already decline in young adulthood.

The study, which followed more than 2,000 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 60, found that certain mental functions — including measures of abstract reasoning, mental speed and puzzle-solving — started to dull as early as age 27. Meanwhile, the decline of memory generally became apparent around age 37.

On the other hand, indicators of a person’s accumulated knowledge — like performance on tests of vocabulary and general knowledge — kept improving with age, according to findings published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging.

The results do not mean that young adults need to start worrying about their memories. Most people's minds function at a high level even in their later years, according to researcher Timothy Salthouse. “According to these patterns, some kinds of flexibility in the brain decline relatively early in adulthood, but throughout adulthood the knowledge pool in one’s command and the effective combination with one’s capabilities may be on the increase without the attack of diseases.” Salthouse said in a news conference.

The study included healthy, educated adults who took standard tests of memory, reasoning and perception at first and at some point over the next seven years.

The tests are designed to detect subtle (细微的) changes in mental function, and involve solving puzzles, recalling words and details from stories, and identifying patterns in collections of letters and symbols.

In general, Salthouse and his colleagues found that certain aspects of cognition (认知能力) generally started to decline in the late 20s to 30s.The findings explain normal age-related changes in mental function, which could aid in understanding the process of dementia (痴呆), according to the researchers. “By following individuals over time,” Salthouse said, “we gain insight in cognition changes, and may possibly discover ways to slow the rate of decline.”

The researchers are currently analyzing the study participants’ health and lifestyle to see which factors might influence age-related cognitive changes.

1.According to the text, what is the common view of mental function?

A.It varies from person to person.

B.It weakens in one’s later years.

C.It gradually expands with age.

D.It indicates one’s health condition.

2.What does Timothy Salthouse say about people’s minds in most cases?

A.They tend to decline in people’s later years.

B.Their flexibility determines one’s abilities.

C.They function quite well even in old age.

D.Their functioning is still a puzzle to be solved.

3.Although people’s minds may function less flexibly as they age, what is their strength?

A.They may be better at solving puzzles.

B.They can memorize things with more ease.

C.They may have greater facility in abstract reasoning.

D.They can put what they have learned into more effective use.

4.According to Salthouse, how may their study help us?

A.It will find ways to stop mental functions dulling fast.

B.It will find ways to improve our memories.

C.It will help us understand the complex process of mental functioning.

D.It will help us understand the relation between physical and mental health.

高一英语阅读理解中等难度题

少年,再来一题如何?
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