Researchers claim to have developed a simulator which can feed information directly into a person’s brain and teach them new skills in a shorter amount of time，comparing it to “life imitating art”．

Researchers from HRL Laboratories，based in California，say they have found a way to amplify learning，only on a much smaller scale than seen in the Hollywood film.

They studied the electric signals in the brain of a trained pilot and then fed the data into novice(初学者)subjects as they learned to pilot an airplane in a realistic flight simulator.

The study，published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience，found that subjects who received brain stimulation via electrode-embedded head caps improved their piloting abilities and learnt the task 33 percent better than a placebo group.

“Our system is one of the first of its kind.It’s a brain stimulation system，” explained Dr Matthew Phillips.“It sounds kind of sci-fi，but there’s large scientific basis for the development of our system.The specific task we were looking at was piloting an aircraft，which requires a combination of both cognitive and motor performance.When you learn something，your brain physically changes.Connections are made and strengthened in a process called neuro-plasticity.It turns out that certain functions of the brain，like speech and memory，are located in very specific regions of the brain，about the size of your pinky.”

Dr Matthew believes that brain stimulation could eventually be implemented for tasks like learning to drive，exam preparation and language learning.

“What our system does is it actually targets those changes to specific regions of the brain as you learn，” he added.“The method itself is actually quite old.In fact，the ancient Egyptians 4,000 years ago used electric fish to stimulate and reduce pain.Even Ben Franklin applied currents to his head，but the rigorous，scientific investigation of these methods started in the early 2000s and we’re building on that research to target and personalize a stimulation in the most effective way possible.What we found is brain stimulation seems to be particularly effective at actually improving learning.”

语篇解读 美国休斯研究实验室的研究人员已经研发出一种帮助人脑快速学习的系统，他们声称该系统能够直接将新技能和新知识上传到你的大脑。 9．What can we know about “life imitating art”？ A．Knowledge can be directly put into our brain.

B．There is no need for people to learn new knowledge. C．A simulator can help people acquire what they want. D．It’s just a kind of art that hasn’t been explained yet. 答案 C

解析 细节理解题。根据文章第二段的内容可知“life imitating art”是借助一种模拟器在短时间内教会人类新技能的方法。故选C。

10．Which of the following about the system studied is FALSE according to Dr Matthew? A．It’s nothing but a system related to brain stimulation. B．It’s based on enough scientific foundation. C．It expects to be fully used in all walks of life. D．It focuses on the changes to certain regions of brain. 答案 C

解析 推理判断题。根据倒数第二段“Dr Matthew believes that brain stimulation could eventually be implemented for tasks like learning to drive，exam preparation and language learning.”可知C为正确答案。

11．What’s the purpose of writing the passage? A．To introduce the technology used in a classic film. B．To illustrate a new study connected with human brain. C．To show how to train pilot effectively.

D．To study the people’s physical response to outer changes. 答案 B

解析 写作目的题。文章主要阐述了一项对开发人类大脑的刺激系统的研究成果。故选B。

D

(2017·贵州遵义航天高级中学四模)

Scientists found that sleeping considerably improves our creativity.After taking a nap people are able to think faster and put more imagination into their thinking.Besides，if we dream，the thinking abilities are improved even more.

Researchers consider that sleeping on a problem in most cases leads to elucidation(解释)．They say when a person enters a phase called Rapid Eye Movement (REM) during sleep，it increases the effect.Such phase takes place right before we awake and according to scientists it helps our brain make links between unrelated subjects.

In the study，led by Professor Sara Mednick，scientists made a conclusion that the REM was “important for assimilating(消化) new information into past experience”

in order to find solutions to creative problems.

Prof.Mednick is a psychiatrist at the University of California.Her study involved the analysis of 77 adults.Each participant was given several word-associated creative tasks.All tasks were given in the morning，with participants being shown a number of groups of 3 words，for example：cookie，heart and sixteen.They were asked to come up with a word that would be associated with all three given terms—like sweet.Sometime later，after some participants were allowed to sleep，they were asked to perform the same tasks and some new ones.It is worth mentioning that while some people slept，researchers used brain scans to see the type of sleep each participant entered.

When given the same tasks，participants，who took a nap，were able to give more varied solutions，some of which were much better than they gave earlier.But when given new tasks，researchers found that those who entered REM sleep had a 40 percent better result compared to the performance they showed in the morning.

语篇解读 研究发现睡眠能提升人的创造性。如果在睡觉时做梦，人的思维能力会得到更大提升。 12．What does “it” refer to in the second paragraph? A．The effect. C．Sleep. 答案 B

解析 代词指代题。根据画线词前面的“They say when a person enters a phase called Rapid Eye Movement (REM) during sleep”可知it指代REM。故选B。 13．Why do the researchers study the REM? A．Because REM takes place just after you sleep. B．Because REM can store more information. C．Because REM can help find creative solutions. D．Because REM can make a creative invention. 答案 C

解析 细节理解题。根据第三段中的“scientists made a conclusion that the REM was ‘important for assimilating(消化) new information into past experience’ in order to find solutions to creative problems”可知答案为C。 14．What can we know from this passage?

A．Taking a short nap is good for your thinking during the day.

B．REM. D．A problem.

B．Sleeping has three processes which is good for creativity. C．Each adult was allowed to sleep after the task was given. D．REM is a process taking place right after we awake when we nap. 答案 A

解析 推理判断题。根据最后一段首句“When given the same tasks，participants，who took a nap，were able to give more varied solutions，some of which were much better than they gave earlier.”可知小睡一会会让人有更好的表现。故选A。 15．The important stage in the study is . A．to think of a creative word B．to show a group of 3 words C．to give participants time to think D．to let some participants sleep for a while 答案 D

解析 推理判断题。由最后两段可知这次研究的过程为：先让测试者进行测试，然后让其中一些测试者睡一会儿，之后再进行测试，从而对比两次测试的结果。由此可推断让一些测试者睡一会儿是本次研究的关键。故选D。

Ⅰ.单词梳理

1．He aims to be a successful(success) writer.

2．A good cry would probably(probable) make you feel better. 3．Fresh air is beneficial(benefit) to our health. 4．The city is famous for its various(vary) bridges.

5．London was different(difference) from most European capitals. 6．Please put the receiver(receive) back after calling. 7．Today’s weather is an improvement(improve) on yesterday’s. 8．He is physically(physical) unfit for this kind of work. 9．Creativity(create) is the key to a brighter future. 10．She can find no solution(solve) to her financial problems. Ⅱ.短语提炼 A．英汉互译

1．look at 2．turn out 3．prepare for

看；考虑；着眼于 最后是；结果是 为……做准备