The concept of 'neuroplasticity' has revolutionized our understanding of the human brain. Historically, scientists believed that the adult brain was largely fixed in structure and function after a critical period in childhood. However, research over the past few decades has demonstrated that the brain remains remarkably adaptable throughout life, capable of reorganizing neural pathways in response to learning, experience, or injury. This plasticity is not uniform; it varies by brain region and is influenced by factors such as age, intensity of training, and the nature of the stimulus. For instance, musicians who practice extensively show enlarged cortical areas dedicated to finger movement, while stroke victims can often regain lost functions by rerouting signals through undamaged regions. Despite these advances, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying plasticity remain incompletely understood, and translating this knowledge into effective clinical therapies poses significant challenges.
❓ According to the passage, which of the following statements best reflects the current scientific view of neuroplasticity?
A. The adult brain is completely fixed and cannot change after childhood.
B. Neuroplasticity is uniform across all brain regions and occurs at the same rate throughout life.
C. The brain retains some capacity for reorganization, but this ability varies and is not fully understood at a molecular level.
D. Plasticity is only observed in musicians and stroke patients, not in the general population.
✅ 正确答案
The brain retains some capacity for reorganization, but this ability varies and is not fully understood at a molecular level.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
Watch for paraphrasing; correct answers are often reworded
Be wary of absolute statements (all, always, never) — usually wrong
Pay attention to content after transition words (however, but, yet)
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